Link to the Natural Olympia Classic Physique Video

 Men’s Classic Physique Criteria

Required Suit

● Classic Physique posing trunks with a 4” width preferably black in color. Not Bodybuilding posing trunks.

The Classic Physique division bridges the gap between bodybuilders of the Open division and the leaner, more streamlined Men’s Physique competitors. It emphasizes a balanced, aesthetic, and symmetrical look inspired by the “Golden Era” of bodybuilding (think Frank Zane, Steve Reeves and Arnold Schwarzenegger).

Judging Criteria

Men’s Classic Physique consists of two rounds in a group comparison presentation. Judging criteria is based on the following key elements:

Round 1: Symmetry of Proportion

Competitors will stand erect with feet together, arms down at their sides, with shoulders and head facing directly forward. They will execute quarter turns to the right on command from the Head Judge.

○ Symmetry- Left and right sides of the body should mirror each other in size and shape.

○ Judges will assess the proportional balance between the following muscle groups:

■ Shoulder caps in relation to arms and calves

■ Chest size in relation to quadriceps

■ Upper torso tapering down to the waist and hips

○ The physique should be aesthetically pleasing and well-balanced from all four angles (front, left side, back, right side). Competitors should aim for a classic “X” frame, broad shoulders, a small waist, quadriceps sweep and hamstring definition.

Round 2: Muscularity, Definition, Separation & Conditioning

Competitors will perform mandatory poses on command from the Head Judge.

○ Muscularity: Judges will evaluate overall muscle mass, shape, and fullness. Muscles should be dense and well-formed, showing a balanced distribution across the entire physique, but not the extreme mass of Open Bodybuilding.

○ Definition: Highlights the detailed muscular lines without sacrificing muscle fullness.

○ Separation: Must present clear separation between muscle groups.

○ Conditioning: Competitor’s ability to display lean muscle with minimal body fat and vascularity. However, extreme dryness and vascularity along with grainy conditioning seen in Open Bodybuilding are not necessary.

○ Stage Presence: Confidence and the ability to showcase one’s physique effectively are crucial. Competitors must maintain proper posture and fluid transitions between poses.

Mandatory Poses

Competitors must execute the following poses with precision, holding each long enough for judges to evaluate muscle engagement, symmetry, and overall presentation:

1. Front Double Biceps – Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, slightly bend your knees and engage your core, raise your arms to the side with elbows slightly above your shoulders, flex your biceps, and externally rotate your shoulders to flare your lats showcasing biceps, lats, and quads.

2. Front Lat Spread – Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, slightly bend your knees, form a fist with your hands (excluding thumbs), and anchor your thumbs to your sides, then bring your elbows out to the sides until they are in line with your torso, flaring your lats to display upper body width.

3. Abdominal and Quadriceps – Hands behind head, flexing abs and quads, emphasizing core and leg definition.

4. Left Or Right Side Chest – Side pose showcasing chest thickness, with one arm bent across the torso and the other flexed.

5. Left Or Right Side Triceps – Side pose with one arm extended downward, highlighting triceps, obliques, and overall side profile.

6. Rear Double Biceps with Calf Flexed – Facing the rear of the stage, raise your arms to the side with elbows slightly above your shoulders, flex your biceps, and externally rotate your shoulders to flare your lats showcasing your back, shoulders, and hamstrings.

7. Rear Lat Spread with Calf Flexed – Facing the rear of the stage stand with feet shoulder-width apart, slightly bend your knees, form a fist with your hands (excluding thumbs), and anchor your thumbs to your sides, then bring your elbows out to the sides until they are in line with your torso, flaring your lats to display upper body width.Arms extended, lats flared, displaying width and symmetry of the back.

8. Hands on Hips Most Muscular – Flexing with hands on hips, contract all front-facing muscles simultaneously, pushing the chest forward, flexing the biceps, and tightening the abs and legs.

9. Crab (The Hulk) Most Muscular – A powerful pose where both arms are flexed inward, contracting the pectorals, obliques, anterior deltoids, biceps, forearms and abdominals highlighting maximum muscle size and vascularity. The quadriceps should also be flexed.

Additional Classic Physique Poses

10. Vacuum Pose: Pulling in the stomach to create a deep abdominal vacuum a staple of Arnold’s posing routine.

11. Victory Pose: Arms raised above the head, showcasing the entire upper body.

12. Twisting Double Biceps: A twisting stance emphasizing the waist and shoulder contrast.

13. Front Double Biceps Pose in a Split Stance: front double bicep pose squating down with one leg bent and the other leg extended out.

* An angled stance/sweep stance is highly recommended.

Individual Posing Routine

● 25% of posing routine will count towards overall placement. *Posing routines may be limited to top 5.

● Time Limit: Amateur competitors are allowed a maximum of 60 seconds for their posing routine. Professional competitors are allowed 90 seconds.

● Music: Competitors must provide posing routine music before or during registration. Specific instructions will be emailed prior to the competition. Format for posing music MP3 or WAV on either a USB drive or emailed. Digital file must be clearly labeled and easy to locate.

● Objective: Classic Physique celebrates the art of posing, a direct throwback to the Golden Era emphasizing grace, flow, and the ability to showcase one’s physique with elegance. Poses should highlight an athlete’s strengths and minimize weaknesses while incorporating Classic Physique poses.

*Choice of posing music should emphasizing grace, flow, and the ability to showcase one’s physique with elegance.

Men’s Classic Physique Amateur Divisions

Divisions are categorized by age, and experience level with height classes applied where permitted:

Teenage (13-17yrs & 18-19yrs)

Junior (20-23yrs)

Jr. Masters (35-39yrs)

Masters (40-49yrs)

Grand Masters (50-59yrs)

Ultra Masters (60-69yrs)

Super Ultra Masters(70-79)

Novice – Beginner or has not won first place in a novice category *If first place is achieved in the novice category one may no longer compete as a novice in the same category.

Open – Experienced or has won first place in a novice category

Professional Qualifying Divisions: Open, Masters, Grand Masters, Ultra Masters Must have a minimum of 3 competitors in each qualifying division for professional qualification to be awarded. Professional Qualification may be issued at judges discretion with only 2 competitors in a category.

Masters Professional Qualification: An overall including Masters, Grand Masters, Ultra Masters, Super Ultra Masters, with 3 or more competitors are eligible to earn professional qualification. Professional Qualification may be issued at judges discretion with only 2 competitors in a category.

*Jr. Masters are not eligible for professional qualification.

Men’s Classic Physique Professional Divisions

Open

Masters (40-49yrs)

Grand Masters (50-59yrs)

Ultra Masters (60-69yrs)

*Professional status is not valid until a PNBA Membership is purchased. PNBA Membership must be renewed annually.