THE BODYBUILDING CRITERIA

The open bodybuilding class has stood the test of time and has been around since the beginning of bodybuilding. It has produced some of the most influential people in this sport, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, who have had a profound impact on the sports growth over the years. In recent years however, particularly in the amateur scene, it has seen a slight decline in the total number of competitors. This is due to the inclusion of the likes of men’s physique and classic bodybuilding.

However within the IFBB/NPC professional league, the coveted ‘Mr Olympia’ title is still the winner of the men’s open bodybuilding, making this class the pinnacle of our sport in the male division. The purpose of this article is to explain the bodybuilding criteria, consider what it is the judges are looking for, discuss if conditioning matters and to detail the considerations at an amateur level.

BODYBUILDING CRITERIA

Judges will be looking for a good level of muscular development in the upper body: big chest, round capped delts, thick arms and a dense back. At the same time, they will be looking to see significant muscular development in the legs with big sweeping quads, round glutes, and thick hamstrings.  Athletes will need to bring a balanced physique to the stage where the musculature of the upper body and lower body match visually displaying balance and symmetry.

Athletes will display excellent level of conditioning and have visible separations in the upper chest/delts/arms, display deep cuts in the quads and often have striated glutes and hamstrings on show. The judges will be looking for full round muscle bellies, whilst at the same time displaying a hard/dry look.

The best bodybuilding competitors will typically have a shorter torso, wide shoulders, and thick waist. Open bodybuilders waists will typically be rectangular in shape and although there is no emphasis placed on their ability to vacuum, athletes will typically have exceptional abdominal development.

In most amateur bodybuilding shows open bodybuilding is split into three different height categories: short, medium, and tall. Alongside this, most federations may offer multiple masters classes (e.g. +35, +40, +50), first timers bodybuilding and novice bodybuilding. Within the IFBB/NPC open classes are split on bodyweight as opposed to height, these range between 65kg to 102kg+.

Does conditioning win shows?

It shouldn’t be a secret now that in amateur bodybuilding, conditioning will often win shows. If you are a first timer/novice and display and excellent level of conditioning with good muscular development, you’re going to be rewarded. You might not be the biggest guy up there or the most balanced, but  the judges know that getting in true stage conditioning is extremely difficult. With that being said, as long as you have enough muscle and get shredded, you’re going to do well.

Does that mean that the leanest guy on stage usually wins? No. As you climb the ranks into the open bodybuilding classes the game changes. This is where it comes down to bringing a blend of conditioning, size and balance to the stage. Some bodybuilders look best when they are razor sharp, others look better when they are a touch softer. From experience it’s often the most balanced, symmetrical, and complete bodybuilder that is rewarded. If that individual is conditioned ‘enough’, they will typically win. If they are a touch too soft, then they will often be marked down versus a guy that is razor sharp.

CONSIDERATIONS

Open bodybuilders are getting bigger each year. Within the NPC/IFBB with this is very apparent when you look at the Mr Olympia winners year in year out. This of course sets the benchmark for many amateurs that are aspiring to be part the pro leagues one day. Why does that matter?

What that means is that each year competitors will typically push the boundaries more and more with drugs, inevitably taking more risk to get the same reward. Often without pushing those boundaries, as you climb the ranks, you will not have the size required to do well. It makes the competitive career of professionals very short, otherwise they run the risk of having their health and longevity of life compromised.

As the use of drugs over an extended period drastically reduces how long we live, one should consider how long they are going to push that side of things before backing off the gas. I do feel there is a window in which you can push drugs for a while without it having too much of a detriment to health, but any smart bodybuilder out there knows there is a shelf life to this game.

In summary, what the judges are looking for in the open bodybuilding class is very apparent. In amateur bodybuilding shows, displaying an excellent level of conditioning will often win you shows but as you climb the ranks it’s often the most balanced bodybuilder that wins. As bodybuilders get bigger every year one should consider how long they are willing to push the drug side of things.

Vaughan Wilson Bsc Hons