Mar 10 2012

Bikini, Fitness Model or Figure?

So you’re making the decision to step on stage and show the world that you are an artist.

Your body is your sculpture, your canvas. Your artist tools and paint brushes are you discipline, your movements, your consistency, your drive, and your dedication. You shape and mold your beautiful work of art for months and now it’s time to present it.

How do you categorize art?

What classification do you chose? What division do you present yourself in?

These are questions I’m asking myself.

In my heart, I am a figure competitor. But if I look objectively at myself, my body currently screams bikini and fitness model. It may take a few years of artistic sculpting for my work of art to truly be competitive in the figure category.

So what’s the difference between figure, fitness model, and bikini competitors?

The body types, rules, suits, posing, and judging criteria are different for each different category.

Now I am not an expert by any means when to competitions. I am a complete newbie! But, as I have researched the different divisions in order to make my decision, I have learned a few things that I want to share with you.

Muscularity

Generally figure competitors tend to carry more muscle than fitness model and bikini competitors. This is especially true in the pros (upper ranks of competition).

In the lower ranked, amateur, regional or local shows the lines can get a little fuzzy between the divisions. If you’re just thinking about competing, like I am, you will probably start at a smaller, regional, amateur show where the difference between figure and bikini (or fitness model) may be harder to differentiate.

Leanness

If you are a master class competitor, or more seasoned competitor (that means mid 30′s or older), then figure may be the way to go. The reason is because as we age, we lose the overall body fat that you see in younger women, as long as you are active and have a healthy diet. That’s right, getting older means naturally getting leaner. That is the direction our bodies naturally go, as long as we don’t hinder our natural progression with our lifestyle choices.

Don’t believe me? It really is just science, not something you can disagree with. Women’s bodies don’t need as much fat as we move away from child bearing years, so as long a we remain active and eat a clean diet we will simply get leaner as we age.

Check out the master class figure competitors. It is a tough division. In this sport, you become an even stronger competitor as you age.

You need time to build strong, mature muscle. You need time to allow your body to age to that perfect amount of leanness.

A small layer of overall body fat is needed for the softer look of bikini competitors. Figure competitors, on the other hand, tend to be more lean, so this is a look that a master competitor may be better suited to achieve.

That’s where I’m at, but the fact of the matter is that my body truly may not have quite enough mature muscle to compete at the Figure Competitor level this year. It may take a few years for me to mature my muscle to that level.

Also, since I will be competing in the tall categories of each division, it may make more sense for me to compete only in my height division and not to compete as a master competitor quite yet. The competition is fierce in the master categories. The women have years of muscular maturity and development that I simply do not have right now.

Posing and Stage Presence

Another main difference between figure competitors and bikini competitors (or fitness model competitors) is the sassy element in their stage presence. Bikini and fitness model competitors have more flexibility with their posing and stage presence. Figure is more structured with mandatory poses.

At first, the sexual nature of many bikini competitor posing styles completely turned me off. As I learned more, I realized that while some bikini competitors and fitness model competitors choose to be overtly sexual, it isn’t mandatory to present yourself in that way. And while the crowds love it, the judges may actually be offended by it.

Bikini competitors and fitness models can choose poses that reflect their personality. No matter which category I compete in, it is important that the poses reflect me.

The way I chose to move my body and present myself will be in a way that makes me feel beautiful, empowered, confident and artistic. It is more of a process of internal satisfaction than a process of looking externally for approval.

As long as I am able to present my body, my work of art, in a way that makes me feel true to myself as an artist, I will feel as though I have accomplished what I have set out to achieve.

Suits and Rounds

The suits for figure vs. bikini and fitness model competitors are completely different. Figure suits have a mandatory style and cut and will usually be a little more expensive than bikini suits.

Fitness model suits are typically very similar to bikini suits, but they usually also have a themewear round or sportswear round. This means they will need to put together and purchase their themewear outfit as well.

Personally, the idea of putting together a themewear or sportswear outfit sounds awesome to me!

I see myself more as an artist than as an athlete, and a part of my self expression is the way I chose to present my work of art. Choosing and putting together my own themewear, something that reflects me, sounds wildly fun and exciting!

My Decision

This year, my body type may present like a fitness model or bikini competitor, but deep inside I feel like I am a figure competitor. So, how do I make a decision?

The fact of the matter is that I really don’t have to decide right now. Just like most women, I want it all. I’m planning to try it all on for size and see how it fits me.

There are so many different organizations and different divisions out there. I’m planning to try several of them to see which division and organization fits me best, instead of seeing how I can change so I fit in.

Different organizations have different standards. As a complete newbie, I have no idea which organization will fit me best. Instead of trying to decide with my limited knowledge, I’m going for the whole shabang!

I’m planning to get my feet wet this year by competing in 3 separate organizations and in 3 separate divisions. I plan to compete as a bikini competitor, fitness model competitor, and figure competitor.

After looking at the different organizations, divisions and scheduled shows, these are the ones I have narrowed it down to.  Keep in mind there are many other organizations and divisions out there. These are just my choices for this year, and the information I found while researching each division:

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NPC (National Physique Committee) Bikini:

  • Rounds:
    • Bikini Round
  • Posing:
    • Model Walk
    • Half Turns
  • Suit: 
    • Any color pattern and style, as it is conservatively presentable. Thong style or any other inappropriate swimwear is absolutly not allowed.
  • Scoring:
  • Muscularity:
    • Typically less muscular than NPC figure competitors, with definite less muscularity in the shoulders

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NPC (National Physique Committee) Figure:

  • Rounds:
    • Two-peice figure suit (a figure suit is very different from a typical bikini)
  • Posing:
    • Model Turns
    • Quarter Turns
  • Suit: 
    • Competitors will compete in a two-piece suit. The bottom of the suit must be v-shaped. No thongs are permitted. Competitors can compete in an off the racksuit. All swimsuits must be in good taste.
  • Scoring: 
    • Small degree of muscularity with separation, no visible striations
    • Overall muscle tone with shapely lines, overall firmness and not excessively lean
    • Full general assessment
    • Healthy appearance
    • Make-up
    • Skin tone
    • For more information check out the article, View from the Judges: 2012 Figure International
  • Muscularity:
    • Much more muscular than NPC bikini competitors

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WBFF (World Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation) Fitness Model:

  • Rounds:
    • Themewear Round
    • Bikini Round
  • Posing:
    • Model Walk or T-Walk
    • Model Posing
    • Free Pose
  • Suit: 
    • Any color pattern and style, as it is conservatively presentable. Thong style or any other inappropriate swimwear is absolutly not allowed.
  • Scoring:
    • Contestants for the WBFF Fitness Diva Model category are being judged on their sense of style, poise, overall beauty and stage presence as well as display a fit and toned physique.
    • 40%- Overall Marketability
    • 40%-Physique
    • 20%- Stage Presence, Poise, Confidence
  • Muscularity:
    • A little less muscular than WBFF figure competitors

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Musclemania (Fitness America) Bikini – Natural Competition:

  • Rounds:
    • Sportswear Round
    • Bikini Round
  • Posing:
    • Runway Style or Model Walk or T-Walk
    • Model Posing
  • Suit: 
    • Any color pattern and style, as it is conservatively presentable. Thong style or any other inappropriate swimwear is absolutly not allowed.
  • Scoring:
    • 50%-Sportswear Round – Poise & presence, sports wear selection, appearance
    • 50%-Bikini Round – Body condition, facial beauty, appearance
  • Muscularity:
    • An fit, toned feminine body that displays conditioning.
  • Natural:
    • Musclemania bodybuilding and ladies figure events are natural shows. The bikini divisions with Musclemania events seem to be through Ms. Bikini Universe.

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Musclemania (Fitness America) Fitness Model - Natural Competition:

  • Rounds:
    • Sportswear Round
    • Clubwear Round
    • Bikini Round
  • Posing:
    • Runway Style or Model Walk or T-Walk
    • Model Posing
  • Suit: 
    • Any color pattern and style, as it is conservatively presentable. Thong style or any other inappropriate swimwear is absolutly not allowed.
  • Scoring:
    • 40%-Physical Appearance – Body shape, complexion, face, hair and smile
    • 40%-Photogenics – Poise, posture and presentation
    • 20%-Apparel – Coordination, fit and proportion
  • Muscularity:
    • An athletic body, typically less muscular than figure competitors
  • Natural:
    • Musclemania bodybuilding and ladies figure events are natural shows. The top 5 finalists in each division may be subjected to a urinalysis or polygraph testing.

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Musclemania (Fitness America) Figure – Natural Competition:

  • Rounds:
    • Two-peice figure suit (a figure suit is very different from a typical bikini)
  • Posing:
    • T-Walk
    • Model Poses
    • Quarter Turns
  • Suit: 
    • A two-piece swimsuit must be worn and may have high, side cuts and extremely thin straps to extenuate their bodies lines. However, no thong or ‘T’ cuts are permitted. This is distinctly different from the more standard swimsuit designs as required in both the Ms. Bikini, Fitness and Model competitions. No one-piece suits may worn.
  • Scoring:
    • 40%-Muscle Shape and Body Symmetry
    • 40%-Body Condition
    • 20%Overall Appearance
  • Muscularity:
    • Ms. Bikini competitors must have an athletic, shapely and sexy appearance.
    • Figure competitors may be slightly muscular, have low body fat but still present a shapely look.
    • Ladies who have a more naturally muscular body would best compete in Figure while those with a softer but still toned body best compete in Ms. Bikini.
  • Natural:
    • Musclemania bodybuilding and ladies figure events are natural shows. The top 5 finalists in each division may be subjected to a urinalysis or polygraph testing.

Did you like this post? Tell me in the comments!

Please share your thoughts and questions in the comments. Don’t be shy! Your comments may help to inspire another. Your questions may help someone else who has the exact same question, but is too shy to ask. I love hearing from you!

By Cori Ann Lentz • Competition • 6 • Tags: , , , , ,