Judging bodybuilding competitions: What do the judges look for
Date: 29-08-2011
Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamAntigua and Barbuda |
|
The intent of this article is to avail pertinent information relative to bodybuilding adjudication. This should give fans and the general public a better understanding of how a bodybuilding contest is judged. Hopefully, this information will provide a better perspective of what the judges will be considering when your favourite bodybuilder(s) take the stage at the next contest.
Judging a subjective event like bodybuilding is an undertaking which present many challenges for the adjudicators, to include presenting the ideal result which is amenable to everyone. Achieving this is a difficult task, for no matter the outcome of a contest there will always be persons who will query the result, even though they may not be conversant with judging procedures. How the judges arrive at their decision is a question that has been asked repeatedly. This I will attempt to address in this article as best as I can, based on the principles and judging guidelines of the International Federation for Bodybuilding (IFBB).
Judges’ Responsibility
The sport of bodybuilding is very competitive and requires dedication, sacrifice, and mental fortitude to build a contest-ready physique. It is also a very expensive sport which, many-a-times have affected an athlete’s ability to appear in the best possible shape. At a competition, judges must choose from amongst a group of well-conditioned competitors, the best athletes, solely on their physique as it is presented on the stage.
For this purpose, it is important that competent judges are selected. Fundamentally, the judges are required to judge the bodybuilders on the overall quality of their muscular development; identify the best bodybuilders and rank them according to excellence. This is a task which may appear to be academic, especially for seasoned judges, but it’s an undertaking which challenges their aptitude, knowledge and skills constantly. It, therefore, requires judges to be au fait with the judging requirements, and also possess an astute knowledge of the sport. Moreover, it means that the judges must be able to recognise what a good bodybuilder looks like when they see one thus enabling them to make the best decision. Of extreme importance – judges must be able to justify their decision.
Subjectivity
Unlike objective sports such as power lifting where the athlete who lifts the most weight wins, or basketball where the team with the most points wins, bodybuilding is a subjective sport much like gymnastics or figure skating, where an objective set of judging rules or guidelines are subjectively imposed. As such, differences of opinion will contend, however, objectivity should be foremost as it is likely that there won’t always be unanimity with every decision or outcome. Notwithstanding, the IFBB judging guidelines makes it possible for judges to make the best decision most of the time.
The Judging System
There are many different terms used to describe the judging system (criteria) for a bodybuilding competition. These criteria or judging regulations have undergone many changes over the years evolving to complement the prevailing era. For the sake of clarity these current regulations are discussed below in five segments to include Muscularity (Muscle Mass); Definition; Proportion; Symmetry and Stage presence.
(a) Muscularity (Muscle Mass)
Muscularity is the foundation of bodybuilding and it’s the pinnacle to which all Bodybuilders aspire. Muscularity comprises several different components. The first component is muscle size (mass), which is the level of muscular development or hypertrophy of the skeletal muscles achieved by the athlete. The next component is density (hardness) of the muscle, this is where the muscle appears very firm and tight often showing muscle striations (muscle fibers) and holding no excess water (retention), loose skin or high body fat content. All the components of muscle mass must be present for an athlete to be adjudged as muscular.
An athlete who does not show all of these qualities should not be considered as being ‘muscular’. Now, the athlete might be huge with plenty of muscle size; however, if the athlete does not have enough definition to show separation between each muscle groups, the athlete does not qualify as being muscular. Yes, the athlete is big with plenty muscle size but not muscular. Similarly, an athlete can have good definition and separation; however, if that athlete’s muscles shows a flat appearance, this athlete is defined and lean but not muscular.
(b) Definition
Muscle definition has a close affinity to muscularity. Definition refers to the distinct muscular detail of each muscle. Simply put, definition is muscle detailing. An athlete whose physique does not have definition or muscle detailing usually display a smooth appearance, which is caused by high body fat ratio. Definition is that which enables the judge to see the distinct muscular detail of individual muscles and muscle fibers. This detailing of the muscles is what is constantly referred to as ‘ripped’ or ‘shredded’ in bodybuilding jargon.
Further, muscle separation is also a key aspect of muscle definition. As it implies, muscle separation denotes a divide or border line within muscle groups and/or between adjoining muscles groups, making it possible to identify or distinguish the various muscles. A good example of this is the separation within the abdominal area known as the ‘six pack’ which shows separation within a muscle group.
Another example of separation between different muscle groups are the lines of distinction or cut between the trapeziums (traps), chest and shoulder which is often referred to as muscle ‘tie-ins’. The jargon ‘tie-in’ is used to denote the cuts (slang) or dividing lines of the separations between these three muscle groups. Other areas of the body which bodybuilders strive to separate are: the deltoids, quadriceps, calves, triceps and biceps, hamstrings and gluteus (buttocks muscles). An athlete who is in pristine condition will show muscle separation throughout his/her body.
