ANBF Sanctioned
Women’s Physique competitors are judged in two-piece posing suits that may be any color, pattern, and style. Suits should cover at least 30% of the glutes, crisscross over the lower back, and hook into the suit bottoms. Suits must be tasteful; no thong or T-back bottoms are permitted. ANBF officials reserve the right to require suit correction or disqualify a competitor from a specific show if the suit is deemed inappropriate. Competitors are advised to bring two suits to check-in to avoid suit-related issues. Jewelry and hair ornaments are allowed during all rounds of judging when appropriate and not distracting from the physique.
Women’s Physique competitors do not wear stage heels. This is a no-shoe women’s muscularity division.
Division Overview
Women’s Physique is a no-shoe women’s muscularity division that rewards greater muscular development, separation, structure, and stage command than Figure or FemFit, while still maintaining shape, balance, proportion, and aesthetic presentation.
Women’s Physique competitors should display a more complete muscular physique, including stronger development in the shoulders, arms, back, quads, hamstrings, glutes, and abdominal area. The physique should demonstrate a pronounced V-taper, clear X-frame, defined abdominal separation, visible delt, bicep, and tricep separation, full firm glutes, and a noticeable quad-to-hamstring flow.
This division should not be judged as Women’s Bodybuilding. Some muscular detail, hardness, vascularity, and striation may be appropriate, but the look should not become excessively hardened, overly depleted, stringy, or pushed into the extreme size and density expected in Women’s Bodybuilding. The desired look is muscular, structured, detailed, balanced, and aesthetic.
Judging Criteria
- Muscularity: Women’s Physique competitors should show greater muscular development than Figure and FemFit competitors. The division should display round delts, developed arms, visible bicep and tricep separation, strong back development, a pronounced V-taper, developed quads and hamstrings, full firm glutes, and clear muscular lines flowing into the thighs. Muscularity should be significant, but it should not become open-ended bodybuilding size.
- Conditioning: Leanness and conditioning are important in Women’s Physique competition. Competitors should display visible abdominal, delt, bicep, tricep, quad, and hamstring separation with full, round muscles. Some striation, hardness, and vascularity may be appropriate. However, the competitor should not present an excessively ripped, overly shredded, stringy, depleted, or bodybuilding-level hardened look.
- Symmetry and Proportion: Judges prioritize symmetry, proportion, and structural balance. The physique should show balanced upper and lower body development, a clear V-taper, a defined waistline, and a strong X-frame. Muscle groups should be developed evenly, with no severely overpowering or underdeveloped areas. Shape and flow remain important.
- Stage Presence: Presentation is critical. Competitors are judged on confidence, poise, control, polish, command, and the ability to present their muscularity clearly and professionally. Women’s Physique presentation should be strong, controlled, athletic, and aesthetic.
- Posing and Walk: TCompetitors should pose and transition in a controlled and flattering way. Movements should highlight the physique without appearing stiff, jerky, military-style, or overly suggestive. Women’s Physique poses should show greater muscularity, structure, and detail while preserving shape, flow, and aesthetics.
- Competition Attire and Aesthetics: The suit should be well-fitting and flattering. It’s important to choose a color and style that complements your skin tone and physique.
- Makeup and Hair: Professional, stage-appropriate makeup and hair are important. These should enhance your natural features without overpowering your overall look.
- Tanning: A smooth, even competition tan is crucial to highlight muscle definition and stage presence.
Group Comparisons
Front Pose
- For front and rear stances, ensure head and eyes align with body direction; heels and toes must be together.
- Knees may be slightly soft but should not bend excessively.
- Arms should remain within 2 inches of the hips (front and side), relaxed from the elbow down through the fingers.
- Spread lats wide to emphasize the V-taper.
- Keep shoulders and chest high without hunching toward the ears.
Side Poses
- In side stances (left and right), ensure the head and eyes align with the body direction, with heels together or the front foot slightly ahead of the rear without space between the feet.
- Legs must remain straight during the pose; bending of either knee (front or back) is not permitted.
- Competitors may execute a mild twist at the waist to allow the rear shoulder (furthest from the judges) to be visible but should avoid excessive twisting.
- The front arm (closest to the judges) should not extend beyond the midline of the hip.
Back Pose
- For front and rear stances, ensure head and eyes align with body direction; heels and toes must be together.
- Knees may be slightly soft but should not bend excessively.
- Arms should remain within 2 inches of the hips (front and side), relaxed from the elbow down through the fingers.
- Spread lats wide to emphasize the V-taper.
- Keep shoulders and chest high without hunching toward the ears.
Muscularity Poses
- Front Double Biceps – Open hands displaying flexed biceps with one leg posted to the side and flexed to accentuate the quad.
- Side Chest with Arms Extended –Hips facing the right or left of the stage with the leg closest to the judges extended and flexed to display the quad and the rear leg bent. Hips are pushed back. Arms are extended out in front of the competitor’s body with one hand placed over the other and the rear shoulder tilted upward to open the chest and display the chest to the judges.
- Side Triceps with Leg Extension – Hips facing the right or left of the stage, with the competitor’s upper body slightly twisted to face the judges. The leg closest to the judges should be extended and flexed to display the quad with the rear leg bent. Hips should be pushed back and chest should be high. Competitors may hold the arm facing the judges by reaching behind the back to display the triceps or they may place the rear hand on the hip and twist forward with the arm closest to the judges flexed with the palm down to display the triceps.
- Rear Double Biceps – Open hands displaying flexed biceps with one leg posted to the rear and out to the side and flexed to display the hamstring.
- Abs and Thigh – Hands reached behind the competitor’s head and abs flexed (air blown out) with one leg extended forward and flexed to display the quad.
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.
Competition Attire
- Competitors must wear a two-piece figure or posing suit that crosses over and attaches in the back.
- The suit should be tasteful; thongs or T-back bottoms are prohibited.
- Embellishments such as rhinestones, sparkles, and sequins are allowed to enhance the suit’s appearance.
- Jewelry including earrings, necklaces, and bracelets is permitted, but it must not obscure the physique or be in poor taste. Body piercings are allowed if they are not deemed offensive.
- The Head Judge reserves the right to deduct 1 point for non-compliance with these guidelines.
Poses
