Bodybuilding Divisions Explained: Every Men's and Women's Class

Bodybuilding divisions explained in one line: they're separate classes that reward different amounts of muscle and different looks, from the lean, athletic Bikini and Men's Physique classes up to Open Bodybuilding, where the most muscular, most conditioned physique wins. Each division also has its own suit, poses and judging focus.

This guide follows the structure used by the NPC (amateur, mainly in the United States) and the IFBB Pro League (professional). Other federations, including natural federations, use similar classes with different names and rules. Rules also change from season to season, so always check your federation's current rulebook before you plan a show.

Men's Bodybuilding (Open)

This is the original division and the one most people picture. There's no upper weight limit in the Open class at the pro level, and judges look for maximum muscle size combined with symmetry, proportion and very low body fat. Athletes compete in small posing trunks and go through a set of mandatory poses, followed by a posing routine to music.

At amateur level, Open Bodybuilding is usually split into weight classes so a 70 kg athlete isn't standing next to a 110 kg one.

212 Bodybuilding

In the IFBB Pro League, 212 Bodybuilding is the same idea as Open, judged on the same poses, but competitors must weigh in at or under 212 pounds. That keeps size in check and puts more weight on shape and conditioning. Amateur weight classes in the NPC play a similar role.

Classic Physique and Men's Physique

Classic Physique sits between Open and Men's Physique. It uses height-to-weight limits instead of a single weight cap, longer trunks and a pose set that leaves out the most muscular pose in favor of more classic, flowing shapes. The goal is a full but proportionate physique with a small waist, the look many people connect with the 1970s.

Men's Physique is judged in board shorts, so the legs aren't scored. Competitors do a front and back stance and quarter turns. The focus is on a wide upper body, a narrow waist, visible abs and good presentation. We compare the two in detail in Classic Physique vs Men's Physique.

Bikini, Wellness and Figure

These three women's divisions are judged with quarter turns rather than flexing poses, and each one asks for a different amount of muscle.

• Bikini: the least muscle of any women's class. Judges want a balanced, toned shape, rounded glutes and shoulders, a small waist and a confident stage walk. Full conditioning (hard, grainy muscle) is marked down.
• Wellness: more muscle in the lower body than Bikini, with fuller glutes and thighs. The upper body stays fit and athletic but smaller in comparison.
• Figure: more overall muscle and a clear V shape, with wide, capped shoulders, a visible back taper and some muscle separation, without the size of Women's Physique.

Women's Physique and Women's Bodybuilding

Women's Physique is judged on a set of mandatory poses (front and back double biceps, side chest, side triceps, abs and thigh, with open hands in many rulebooks) plus a routine. It calls for real muscle size and definition, but less than Women's Bodybuilding, which is the most muscular women's class and is judged much like the men's Open.

There's also a Fitness division in many federations, which adds a choreographed routine with strength and flexibility moves to the physique rounds.

Novice, open, masters and teen classes

Inside each division, amateur shows usually add experience and age classes. Novice classes are for athletes who haven't won or placed high before, so a first-timer isn't up against national-level competitors. Open classes are for everyone. Masters classes group athletes by age, often starting at 35 or 40, with more age brackets above that at bigger shows. Teen classes exist at some shows too.

Within those, athletes are usually split again by height or weight, depending on the division. Men's Physique, Classic Physique, Bikini and Figure often use height classes, while Bodybuilding uses weight classes. The exact cutoffs vary by federation and show, so look them up on the entry form before you pay. Picking the right class can make a big difference to your first placing.

How to choose a division

Start with what you already have. Take photos in a front pose, back pose and side pose, then compare them with stage photos from a few classes. Pick the division where your natural shape fits best, not the one with the biggest crowd. A woman with naturally strong legs and glutes may fit Wellness better than Bikini, and lifting heavy won't make her too bulky for either. That's a common worry we answer in will lifting weights make women bulky.

Talk to a coach who has brought athletes to that exact division, and if you're leaning toward Bikini, read our bikini competition prep guide to see what a full prep involves.

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