ANBF Sanctioned
The ANBF Men’s Physique division is a men’s natural bodybuilding category focused on athletic aesthetics, upper-body development, V-taper, shoulder-to-waist ratio, conditioning, and confident stage presentation. Men’s Physique competitors are judged in board shorts and bare feet, creating a distinct look from Classic Physique and Bodybuilding.
Board shorts may be any color or pattern, but they may not contain words, advertising, logos, or branding. Shorts should sit just above the knee and may sit no more than one inch below the belly button. Board shorts should be tasteful, stage-appropriate, and chosen to best display the athlete’s physique, taper, abdominal definition, and overall presentation.
Division Overview
In Men’s Physique competition, judges evaluate how muscle size, shape, conditioning, and stage presence complement the competitor’s frame. The ideal Men’s Physique athlete should display a noticeable but not excessive level of muscularity, with broad shoulders, round shoulder caps, developed arms, visible abdominal definition, and a clear V-taper.
This division emphasizes an athletic, aesthetic, upper-body-focused look rather than the size, density, and extreme conditioning expected in Classic Physique or Bodybuilding. The physique should flow smoothly from the shoulders into the arms, chest, lats, waist, and midsection. A strong shoulder-to-waist ratio and tapered lat line are key features.
While the legs are not judged the same way as Classic Physique or Bodybuilding because board shorts cover much of the lower body, the visible lower body still matters. Calves should support the overall look and can contribute to balance, athleticism, and the finished presentation. The goal is a confident, healthy, balanced, and visually appealing physique that represents the Men’s Physique standard.
Judging Criteria
- Muscularity: Men’s Physique competitors should display noticeable muscularity with well-defined muscles that flow evenly throughout the visible physique. Judges look for broad shoulders, round shoulder caps, developed chest, developed arms, visible bicep and tricep shape, tapered lats, clear V-taper, visible abdominal development, and an athletic waistline. Muscularity should be significant enough to show development, but not so extreme that the athlete moves toward Classic Physique or Bodybuilding.
- Conditioning: Men’s Physique competitors should show visible muscle separation and conditioning, including clear abdominal separation, visible delt separation, visible bicep and tricep lines, clean chest and shoulder detail, and controlled leanness. The physique should be conditioned and defined, but not excessively dry, striated, shredded, ripped, overly vascular, or depleted.
- Symmetry and Proportion:Judges prioritize upper-body balance, shoulder-to-waist ratio, V-taper, and overall aesthetic flow. The lower body is not judged the same way as Classic Physique or Bodybuilding because board shorts cover much of the legs. However, visible calves should support the athlete’s overall presentation and may contribute to balance, athleticism, and the finished look of the physique. The primary structural emphasis should be V-taper and shoulder-to-waist ratio.
- Stage Presence: Presentation is critical. Competitors are judged on confidence, poise, control, polish, and the ability to present their physique clearly and professionally. Men’s Physique presentation should be athletic, confident, polished, and relaxed without looking overly flexed or forced.
- Posing and Walk: Competitors should pose and transition in a smooth, controlled, and flattering way. Movements should highlight shoulder width, V-taper, abdominal definition, waistline, upper-body shape, confidence, and stage presence. Overly flexed poses, clenched fists, stiff transitions, jerky movement, military-style movement, or overly suggestive presentation should be avoided.
- Competition Attire and Aesthetics: Competitors must wear board shorts and compete in bare feet. Board shorts should sit just above the knee and may sit no more than one inch below the belly button. Shorts may be any color or pattern, but may not contain words, advertising, logos, or branding. A closer fit is allowed if the athlete believes it better displays their physique while remaining appropriate for the division.
- Grooming and Hair: Professional, stage-appropriate grooming and hair are important. Grooming should enhance the athlete’s presentation without distracting from the physique.
- Tanning: A smooth, even competition tan is crucial to highlight muscle definition and stage presence.
Group Comparisons
After the individual presentations for each competitor are complete, the class is brought to front center stage and is guided through quarter turns to display physiques from the front, left, back, and right. Quarter turn transitions should be fluid with no stiff, jerky, military-style or overly suggestive movements.
Front Pose
- Competitors should stand facing the judges.
- Feet should be parallel, although slight angling of the toes is permitted.
- Hands can be placed at the sides briefly to showcase symmetry; however, the arm facing the judges should rest on the hip.
- The arm not facing the judges should remain in a relaxed position close to the body.
- Overly flexed poses and clenched fists are discouraged.
Side Poses
- Side poses are flexible, allowing competitors to choose stances that best highlight their physiques.
- Feet positioning can vary; they may be placed together or one foot slightly in front of the other.
- Hands can be positioned at the sides or one or both may rest on the hips.
- Competitors may twist at the waist to angle their upper torso towards the judges.
Back Pose
- Competitors will turn to face the back of the stage.
- Feet should stay parallel, though slight toe positioning adjustments are permitted.
- Lats must be flared to emphasize the V-taper, and one hand may rest on the hip.
Individual Presentations
- ANBF will implement a 10ft wide box or rectangle on stage for all presentations, routines, and walks.
- This restriction ensures optimal lighting, efficient use of time, and better photos and videos.
- The promoter decides the length of each routine, walk, or presentation.
- Some promoters may opt to have Stage Presentation Walks before the group comparisons for divisions that do not require a full routine.
Music for Routines and Presentations:
- Bodybuilding and Classic Physique athletes must submit their own music for routines. If they do not, they will pose to house music or music chosen by the promoter.
- All other divisions will perform their walks and routines to house music or music selected by the promoter unless specified by the promoter. Some ANBF events will request all athletes in all divisions to submit music for presentation/routines/walks.
Note: If a competitor has already performed a stage walk or routine in a previous class, they will not do the stage walk or routine a second time. If the competitor has crossed over to another division, Figure to Women’s Physique for instance, the competitor may perform their walk/routine in subsequent class.
Note
Competitors not following other ANBF posing guidelines may, at the discretion of the head judge, be corrected. If the competitor fails to adjust when corrected, then judges are instructed to address this in their scoring. Failure to comply with ANBF posing guidelines will result in a lower placement in the presentation/posing round.
📌 About ANBF Men’s Physique:
Men’s Physique competitors focus on aesthetic proportions, symmetry, and conditioning, without the extreme muscularity of bodybuilding. The division highlights a streamlined, athletic look, and competitors wear board shorts while displaying confidence and poise.