GUIDELINES TO NPC FIGURE AND FITNESS COMPETITIONS

Figure consists of two rounds: One Piece and Two Piece
Fitness consists of three: One Piece, Two Piece and a Fitness Routine

Following is a breakdown of each round in NPC Fitness:
» TWO PIECE SWIMSUIT
All contestants will be brought out in a line-up in their two piece swimsuits with heels. Quarter turns will be directed by the head judge. At this time, judges are assessing the overall physique for degree of athleticism, proportion and skin tone. The judges will be scoring the degree of athleticism by assessing the degree of firmness, symmetry, proportion and the overall physical appearance including complexion, poise and overall presentation.

» FITNESS ROUTINE
Every fitness competitor will get the opportunity to perform a maximum 2 minute routine. Judges will be looking for style, personality, athletic coordination, strength moves, endurance and overall performance. Contestants should give special attention to their apparel since it too will be judged. Routines may include aerobics, dance, gymnastics or other demonstrations of athletic talent, but there are no required movements.

The fitness round is your choice. Contrary to popular opinion, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A GYMNAST to do well in this round. Perform your best dance or aerobics routine. It may include gymnastics if you choose. More important is the inclusion of strength and flexibility movements.

There are six mandatory fitness moves, (3 Strength & 3 Flexibility), that are used in the IFBB Professional Fitness Division and NPC national fitness contests (Please check back soon for a full article on the mandatory moves.)

Final Assessment
» ONE PIECE SWIMSUIT
Quarter turns will be directed so the judges can make any final comparisons they wish. Again the judges will be assessing the overall physique for degree of athleticism, proportion and skin tone and scoring the degree of athleticism by assessing the degree of firmness, symmetry, proportion and the overall physical appearance including complexion, poise and overall presentation.

» FINAL SCORING
During all 2 (figure) or 3 (fitness) rounds the judges will place each athlete from first through fifteenth place in each round depending on the number of athletes competing. After each round, the judges will turn in their scores for that particular round. Once all 2 or 3 rounds are completed, the scores will then be added together and averaged as one for each competitor's final score. The judges will be scoring the overall physique and performance during the entire pre-judging. It is important to do your best during the pre-judging as this is where the placings for each class is decided. The only judging of the evening performance is of the height class winners for the overall award. No other scores or placing's will change after the pre-judging.

To decide who the overall champion is, the judges will be scoring the evening performances of the height class winner's again. They will judge their fitness routines again, plus the height class winner's will be brought out in their 1 piece swimsuits (for fitness) and two piece (for figure) and directed through the quarter turns once more.

» EVENING PERFORMANCE
The number of athletes that will perform their fitness routines will be designated by the promoter and head judge depending on the number of the total athletes in the event.

For all national level NPC Fitness/Figure contests, (NPC Junior USA Fitness/Figure Championships, NPC Junior National Fitness/Figure Championships, NPC USA Fitness Championships, NPC NPC National Fitness/Figure Championships), the top 15 will be introduced in their 1 or 2 piece swimsuits (type of suit to be worn will be announced at show meeting) and heels and then the top 5 from all 3 height classes for fitness will perform their routine. Top 5 figure will perform quarter turns.

The top 5 contestants in each height class for fitness and figure will be awarded trophies, medals or other similar awards in their one piece swimsuits with heels.

Judging Criteria
» Physique:
Small degree of muscularity with separation no visible striations
Overall muscle tone with shapely lines, overall firmness and no excessive leanness.
Full general assessment
Healthy appearance
Face
Makeup
Skin tone
NO EXCESSIVE OVERALL MUSCULARITY

Your Routine:
» Strength:
Number of strength moves
Degree of difficulty in executing movements
Creativity in performing strength moves

» Flexibility:
Number of Flexibility moves
Degree of difficulty in executing movements
Creativity in performing flexibility moves

» Tempo of Routine:
Presentation
Showmanship

SCORING SYSTEM
The judging criteria for NPC fitness contests will be based on the 2 Physique rounds being worth 2/3 of the total score, while the Fitness Routine round is worth 1/3 of the total score. Instead of the judges handing in one total score, each round will be judged separately, with the judges handing in a score for each round. That means there will be a total of three scores handed in per judge for each competitor.