Thanks to Dave Palumbo for including me in this video coverage of the Bench Press Challenge! Click on link above to watch!
Tag Men’s physique
Bikini Posing Practice Foiled By A Men’s Physique Pro – Video Featuring Ian Lauer IFBB Pro
Hahaha, I definitely got made fun of in this video!
NPC And IFBB Men’s Physique Division
When the NPC established the Men’s Physique Division for male competitors in its bodybuilding events back in 2011, it fueled an impressive interest in competing among men who were in great shape but not big enough to compete in the bodybuilding division. Suddenly a division popped up which did not demand the extreme muscularity that characterizes Men’s Bodybuilding. But what are judges looking for in the Men’s Physique Division? They want to see men who are fit and who display great shape, muscularity, conditioning and symmetry. Overall proportion trumps massive muscle bellies here, but keep in mind that Men’s Physique competitors have a decent level of muscularity.
Men’s Physique competitors are split up into different classes on the basis of height instead of weight. Local and regional events will usually have an Open division (all ages), Masters 35+, and at times a Masters 45+ division. At the national level, only a couple of contests feature a Masters Division, forcing many older competitors to compete against those much younger in the Open Divisions. IFBB Men’s Physique Pros compete in one class regardless of height or age.
Attire for Men’s Physique competitors consists of board shorts which sadly cover the majority of the quadriceps and the hamstrings. Competitors compete barefoot.
During judging, each competitor is expected to walk to the center of the stage individually and perform front and back poses for the judges. Once each competitor has had a chance to hit his poses, judges will call out competitors to the center of the stage for comparisons.
NPC and IFBB Men’s Divisions
For decades the competitive bodybuilding landscape has been defined by the muscular gods who have graced the Olympia stage and the covers of bodybuilding magazines. Arnold Schwarzenegger turned the spotlight on bodybuilding and helped to mold society’s perception of the bodybuilder physique. Maximum muscle development, size and conditioning, along with balance and body symmetry are the ultimate goals in bodybuilding for both men and women.
Then in 2011 the National Physique Committee made a very clever move by establishing the Men’s Physique Division. The Men’s Physique Division is characterized by a well-muscled physique but with a smaller degree of muscularity than what is exemplified in men’s bodybuilding. If you think of a male fitness model, you will have a clearer picture of what is desirable. This is not to say that muscularity is not rewarded, but the hulk-like muscularity that is seen in Mr. Olympia title-holders is not the goal with men’s physique.
Now men have a more attainable goal with the Men’s Physique division, but be prepared to put on some lean muscle mass if you dare to grace the stage. The new Men’s Physique IFBB Pros have sculpted physiques which were certainly not earned by sitting on the couch all day!
What Are The NPC and The IFBB?
For those of you who do not know what the NPC and the IFBB are, here is an explanation.
The NPC stands for the National Physique Committee, which is the number one amateur bodybuilding organization in the world. Most serious amateur competitors who have a goal to earn professional status will compete as amateurs within the NPC to attain prestigious IFBB Professional Status. The NPC was established in 1982 by Jim Manion and is the amateur arm of the IFBB. The IFBB, which stands for the International Federation of BodyBuilders, encompasses 160 nations and is the big granddaddy of professional bodybuilding leagues. Ever since Lee Haney became the first NPC Nationals champion to attain IFBB status, the majority of the greatest IFBB athletes reached this status via the NPC. Those of you who may have followed bodybuilding over the years may recognize names such as Shawn Ray, Flex Wheeler, Cory Everson, all of whom competed in the NPC before becoming part of the IFBB as professionals.
The best athletes in competitive bodybuilding flock to these organizations and elevate the sport with their tremendous physiques.
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