Ms PHYSIQUE
JUDGING CRITERIA
(Formerly Ms Figure)

The requirement for the Ms Physique division varies from female bodybuilding in subtle ways. While physique competitors should not have the bulk of a bodybuilder, it is judged along the lines of a bodybuilding contest. As with all divisions, we require the competitors to reduce their body fat as low as possible, we still expect hardness and definition, but taken to the point that stops before a competitor loses their ‘figure or shape’ and the individual muscle groups lose their fullness or dimension.

In round one, physique competitors perform seven (7) compulsory poses:

1) Front double biceps
2) Side chest (any side)
3) Side triceps (any side)
4) Rear double biceps
5) Abdominal & thigh
6) Side Intercostals
7) Most Symmetrical (best displays your symmetry of your choice)

The concept of Women’s Physique is to express more femininity than is done in bodybuilding.

Such as:

• High heel shoes are worn
  
• Hands remain "ALWAYS OPEN" not clenched during the posing
  
• Jewelry and hair decorations are allowed
  
• Competitors may twist their physique during the symmetry round (see the Line Up photo at the top), the Head Judge may ask for a ’straight’ line up if the closeness of the division requires full scrutiny.

Ms Physique is the most debated division regarding judging decisions. If a small and lean competitor wins - the cry is the event is now a “dieting contest”, if the winner is hard or muscular - Physique competitors now must be “bodybuilders in high heels”, if a full or shapely girl wins it has become “bikini contest”, and finally, if the winner is attractive - Ms Physique is a now a “beauty pageant.” As a Ms Physique competitor do not let the above confuse you – the judges are not changing their minds at each event. The answer to the Ms Physique question, “what are the judges looking for?” is to say the judges are looking for the competitor who displays the highest standard of their particular body type/shape. This covers the situations where the winner may be a ‘hard’ competitor who looks in peak condition or a ‘full’ competitor with aesthetic shape and symmetry. The judges are simply looking for the best competitor and this means you should focus on your improving your body shape/type.

DIVISIONS
• Novice
• Open
• Jr. Masters (35-39)
• Masters (40-49)
• Grand Masters (50-59)