Men’s bodybuilding can best be characterized as the quest to be as big as possible. The concept of “bigger is better” certainly applies here. During the “bulking” phase, male bodybuilders will consume massive amounts of calories and train at the gym with Herculean strength in an effort to put on as much muscle mass as humanly possible. As contest day approaches, a “cutting” phase is employed in which competitors drop significant amounts of body fat while making every effort to retain their hard-earned muscle.

Before you assume that one needs only to be loaded with tons of muscle, you should be aware that judges also critique competitors on their overall symmetry, balance and conditioning. Symmetry refers to the muscle bellies, with complete symmetry on both sides of the body as the desired goal. Balance refers to the proportion of muscle development throughout the body. In other words, a bodybuilder may have a very developed back but little calf development, or may have huge biceps but little shoulder development. Both examples will make a competitor look out of proportion. Conditioning refers to the degree of muscle definition in a competitor. If a bodybuilder does not dehydrate properly, he or she may hold interstitial water and end up obliterating muscle definition when onstage. Accordingly, if insufficient carbohydrates are consumed pre-contest, the muscles will be depleted of glycogen and will look flat.
One of the most potentially enjoyable aspects of watching men’s bodybuilders is seeing their posing routines. When male bodybuilders perform onstage, they wear small posing trunks which are similar in cut to Speedos, and they perform barefoot. Though bodybuilders have a limited amount of time onstage and must hit mandatory poses during their routines, they have the opportunity to express their personalities, grace, athleticism and creativity by performing a routine.

Here are the general weight divisions for Men’s Bodybuilding in the NPC:

Male Competitors (All contests that are pro qualifiers)
• Bantamweight…………. …Up to including 143 ¼ lbs.
• Lightweight………………..Over 143 ¼ up to including 154 ¼ lbs.
• Middleweight ……………..Over 154 ¼ up to including 176 ¼ lbs.
• Light Heavyweight………Over 176 ¼ up to including 198 ¼ lbs.
• Heavyweight………………Over 198 ¼ up to including 225 ¼ lbs.
• Super-Heavyweight Over 225 ¼ lbs.
Male Welterweight Class for USA and National Championships
• Bantamweight…………….Up to including 143 ¼ lbs.
• Lightweight………………..Over 143 ¼up to including 154 ¼ lbs.
• Welterweight* ……………Over 154 ¼ up to including 165 ¼ lbs.
• Middleweight …………….Over 165 ¼ up to including 176 ¼ lbs.
• Light-Heavyweight………Over 176 ¼ up to including 198 ¼ lbs.
• Heavyweight………………Over 198 ¼ up to including 225 ¼ lbs.
• Super-Heavyweight ……Over 225 ¼ lbs.
• *NOTE: The Welterweight Class is optional at Local, Regional, and National QualItylng Contests.
Male Welterweight Class for Team Universe Championships
• Bantamweight……………. Up to including 143 ¼ Lbs.
• Lightweight……………….Over 143 ¼ up to including 154 ¼ lbs.
• Welterweight* …………….Over 154 ¼ up to including 165 ¼lbs.
• Middleweight …………….Over 165 ¼ up to including 176 ¼lbs.
• Light-Heavyweight………Over 176 ¼up to including 198 ¼ lbs.
• Heavyweight………………Over 198 ¼ up to including 225 34 lbs.
• Super-Heavyweight…..Over 225 ¼ lbs.