JUDGING CRITERIA

BNBF Judging Criteria

The following document contains an overview of BNBF judging Criteria for both male and female competitors The information contained within this document provides indicators of judging criteria which pertains to both amateur and professional competition. The information provided is for guidance purposes only and is not considered to be exhaustive or exclusive. BNBF judges will be expected to exercise professional judgement where they consider appropriate in a formalised judging environment.

BNBF competition will be based around the same judging criteria for both male and female divisions within both amateur and professional competition. The BNBF judging criteria comprises the judgement of competitors over 2 or 3 rounds : Symmetry, Muscularity and Evening Performance. The weighting of each individual round with regards to scoring is divided evenly across the 2 or 3 rounds.

BODYBUILDING (MEN AND WOMEN)

Round 1 – Symmetry

Competitors will be judged on the overall shape, structure and proportion of their physique. Competitors should display an evenly balanced physique which is aesthetically pleasing and equally proportioned from the front, side and rear. In addition, an even balance between the upper and lower half of the body should be evident.

Competitors will be judged through a series of quarter turns, starting in a front relaxed pose facing the judges and moving in a clockwise direction, quarterly, upon the request of the head judge. Competitors should be judged on muscular mass relative to frame size and as such an athlete should not be penalised for appearing to be of a smaller structure than other competitors.

Note : The level of conditioning displayed by competitors should not form the overriding basis for judgement in the symmetry round. Judges are required to provide their own inference as to how influential a competitor’s level of conditioning is when being judged on symmetry.

Round 2 – Muscularity

Competitors will be judged on the degree of muscle mass relative to frame size displayed on their physique combined with their level of conditioning and muscular fullness. The level of conditioning a competitor displays is of paramount importance in this round, competitors should display a degree of conditioning sufficient so that their muscularity is clearly evident, defined and can be properly judged. Conditioning should not be to an extreme that it has a detrimental effect on symmetry or muscularity.

The process of judging for this round will be through the 8 mandatory poses :

  1. Front double biceps
  2. Front lat spread
  3. Side chest
  4. Side triceps
  5. Rear double biceps
  6. Rear lat spread
  7. Abs & thighs
  8. Most muscular pose

Round 3 – Evening Performance

In the 3rd and final round, competitors will be judged on their evening performance. Competitors will have the opportunity to display their physique for the judges through an individual routine, lasting no more than 60 seconds (90sec for Pros). Competitors must supply and pose to their own choice of music. Props may be employed by the competitor in order to enhance their performance, but should be subtle and not hide or obscure areas of their physique. There are no poses which are deemed to be compulsory in this round, rather a competitor must aim to showcase the strengths of their physique in order to achieve the highest possible placing.

This round will be judged on how well a competitor showcases their physique and will not be judged purely on the best choice of props, styles of dancing or choice of music. Competitors should keep their routines to a bodybuilding format where possible, with any additional choices of entertainment aimed at complementing the strengths of their physique.

ATTIRE

Men wear posing trunks any colour acceptable – strictly no classic trunks.
Women a 2 piece suit any colour acceptable
Round 1 and 2 no jewellery should be worn and hair should be up off the shoulders

ATHLETIC CLASSES (MEN AND WOMEN)

Athletic Class Criteria

Desired Look:
The emphasis of this class is to showcase a highly conditioned physique.
Competitors should demonstrate a very lean muscular look and the physique should be balanced but emphasis will be on condition rather than classic X shapre, although this should not be to the detriment of muscle fullness.
The class will be judged on 2 rounds:

Round 1 : Muscularity and Condition
5 Compulsory poses which emphasise the conditioned muscularity of the physique.
Muscle striations should be evident in prominent areas.

Men
• Front Double Bicep
• Side Chest
• Side Tricep
• Rear Double Bicep
• Abs and Thighs
Women
• Front Double Bicep leg extended
• Side Chest arms and legs extended
• Side Tricep leg extended
• Rear Double Bicep legs crossed behind
• Abs and Thighs

Round 2 –Routine.to music
In 2nd final, competitors will be judged on their evening performance. Competitors will have the opportunity to display their physique for the judges through an individual routine, lasting no more than 60 seconds (90sec for Pros). Competitors must supply and pose to their own choice of music. Props may be employed by the competitor in order to enhance their performance, but should be subtle and not hide or obscure areas of their physique. There are no poses which are deemed to be compulsory in this round, rather a competitor must aim to showcase the strengths of their physique in order to achieve the highest possible placing.
This round will be judged on how well a competitor showcases their physique and will not be judged purely on the best choice of props, styles of dancing or choice of music. Competitors should keep their routines to a bodybuilding format where possible, with any additional choices of entertainment aimed at complementing the strengths of their physique.

Attire
For all rounds men wear hip-length posing pants (shorts) should be worn. (Any shorts covering the hips and gluteus they should show upper leg.) Any colour is acceptable
Women wear a standard posing bikini and a heeled shoe no higher than 4 inches for round 1 bare feet for round 2

Figure Class ( Women)

The judging criteria comprises 3 rounds: Symmetry, Shape and Tone and Evening Performance. The weighting of each individual round with regards to scoring is divided evenly across the 3 rounds. Round 1 and 2 judged in preliminaries and round 3 judged at the evening performance.
Round 1: Symmetry – Quarter Turns
Round 2: Shape and tone 1 pose to front 1 pose to side and 1 pose to the rear.
Round 3: T walk.

Round 1 Symmetry
Competitors will be judged on the overall shape, structure and proportion of their physique. Competitors should display an evenly balanced physique which is aesthetically pleasing and equally proportioned from the front, side and rear. In addition, an even balance between the upper and lower half of the body should be evident.

Competitors will be judged through a series of quarter turns, starting in a front relaxed pose facing the judges and moving in a clockwise direction, quarterly, upon the request of the head judge.

Round 2 – Shape and Tone
Competitors should show visible signs of strength training. Relative leanness means a competitor should show definition without striations there should be a roundness to the muscle which accentuates the female form. There should be noticeable abdominal detail an a V taper from waist to shoulder is desirable. There should be some visible lines in the quadriceps.
Poses to the front, rear and side will be asked for and the athlete should display poses that accentuate their feminine shape and tone to their best advantage.
NB( Masters figure competitors tend to be leaner than open figure)

Round 3 T Walks – Individual Presentations (Evening Only)
The individual presentation portion for Figure is a stage walk. Competitors walk out to music and perform a “T” walk. A T-walk consists of walking out to rear center stage and pausing briefly in a pose of choice.

Competitors than walk up to front center stage and perform a series of quarter turns (it can incorporate poses if the athlete choses, then walk to stage left and pose briefly, then walk to stage right and pose briefly, then walk to the front center of the stage and pose briefly, and finally walk off stage diagonally to the side from which they entered. The walk resembles a “T”, which is how it got its name.
The judges will be looking at the overall presentation of the T walk, they will look at the movement, the muscle tone and the general appearance of the athlete.

Attire
Two-piece suits and high-heeled shoes are used for all rounds.

Classic Bodybuilding (MEN)

Desired Look:
The emphasis of this class is to show a very strong shapely flowing physique. Competitors should have broad shoulders, wide back, a small waist and sweepng quads. The emphasis will be on shape and presentation. Although muscle separation should be evident the level of condition that is expected in Bodybuilding or Athletic is not expected in this class. It will be judged over 3 rounds

Round 1 Symmetry
Competitors will be judged on the overall shape, structure and proportion of their physique. Competitors should display an evenly balanced physique which is aesthetically pleasing and equally proportioned from the front, side and rear. In addition, an even balance between the upper and lower half of the body should be evident.

Competitors will be judged through a series of quarter turns, starting in a front relaxed pose facing the judges and moving in a clockwise direction, quarterly, upon the request of the head judge.

Round 2 Muscularity
Competitors will be judged on the degree of muscle mass relative to frame size displayed on their physique combined with their level of conditioning and muscular fullness. The level of conditioning a competitor displays should display a degree of conditioning sufficient so that their muscularity is clearly evident, defined and can be properly judged. Conditioning should not be to an extreme that it has a detrimental effect on shape or muscularity.
The process of judging for this round will be through the 6 compulsory poses:

  1. Front double biceps
  2. Front lat spread
  3. Side chest
  4. Rear bicep
  5. Abs & thighs
  6. Classic pose of your choice

ROUND 3 – EVENING PERFORMANCE
In the 3rd and final round, competitors will be judged on their evening performance. Competitors will have the opportunity to display their physique for the judges through an individual routine, lasting no more than 60 seconds (90sec for Pros). Competitors must supply and pose to their own choice of music. Props may be employed by the competitor in order to enhance their performance, but should be subtle and not hide or obscure areas of their physique. There are no poses which are deemed to be compulsory in this round, rather a competitor must aim to showcase the strengths of their physique in order to achieve the highest possible placing.
Unlike in Athletic and Bodybuilding routines where it is judged purely on the presentation of the physique judges will also take into account the level of artistic and graceful presentation of the physique

Attire
Black classic posing trunks and no jewellery

Order of the day for all classes

Athletes will enter on-stage in numerical order & stand in line.

Athletes will perform quarter turns. They may be asked to move by the head judge. If number is called put hand in the air and move to where indicated!

Athletes will perform compulsory poses. (As previously expect to be moved by head judge)

Evening Show
Athletes will perform individual posing routines.
All athletes will be brought back on stage and the muscularity poses will be redone.
Athletes will be asked to perform a free style posedown as a group.
Athletes will then be awarded medals, trophies, Finals invitation etc…

SCORING
Competitors will be individually numbered and scored on a numerically 1 through to 6, with a score of 1 being the highest possible score for any given round. For example, a competitor deemed to be in 1st place in all 3 rounds will end up with a score of 3 (symmetry – 1, muscularity – 1 and evening performance – 1 = 3) Any competitors out with the top 6 places in any round will automatically be given scores of 7.
The scores from all judges are subsequently collated by the head judged upon completion of a class, tabulated and competitors are then awarded their final places.