More than muscle on display at bodybuilding competition

Leather, lace and Lycra are just some of the materials audience members will be flaunting this weekend at the 2003 National Physique Committee Southern States Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Competition.

"If you come this evening, you'll see a variety of clothing on every shape and body size, on doctors, lawyers and whoever," said Maria Bellando, an International Federation of Bodybuilders fitness pro who lives in Miami.

"Sometimes it's more exciting to turn around and see what the person next to you is wearing. It can be pretty comical."

On Friday, as a preview of the weekend's events, NPC presented a fashion show to display some of the wild and revealing outfits that will likely fill the seats at this year's tournament.

Design students from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and models from clothiers Sheer Vanity and Mak Attack donned outfits that would not be labeled "the norm."

Some of the head-turners: iridescent, crushed velvet pants, a black and light pink charmeuse mini-dress and Lycra suede pants with feather appliqueing.

"You are going to see the skimpiest, most outrageous and sexy clothes, along with as much skin as someone is willing to show at these competitions," said Kimberly Groppi, owner of Sheer Vanity in Dania Beach, Fla., and one of tonight's bodybuilding competitors. "That's where we come in. Our motto is being unique and different."

Groppi attributed the scanty spectator attire to audience members who also wanted to show off their muscles.

Soon, other audience members, who were not as fit, followed suit.

Now, the crowds at bodybuilding shows resemble the red carpet of a trendy South Beach nightclub.

During the fashion show, each model was accompanied by the men who will show off their well-oiled and heavily ripped bodies this evening.

"I don't see the fashion as a conflict because people can see what's happening onstage and also look around them," said Dave Tuttle, a 53-year-old middleweight bodybuilder who lives in Fort Lauderdale and has been competing for 20 years. "Going into the show, I'm so focused that I don't really look at the fashion. But at these shows the fashion is so amazing that after I go onstage, even I look around."