Our disciplines

Bodybuilding is the oldest modality of the IFBB, it is a modality where size, proportion, and, of course, muscle definition are all valued. To achieve this definition, athletes must follow a process over several weeks or even months before the competition, in which they try to reduce their body fat level as much as possible. This procedure is carried out through a specific diet and specialized training. In bodybuilding, as mentioned above, these elements are valued to determine a certain aesthetics that makes the body of bodybuilders one of the most admired physical models, which we can even see reflected in different aspects of the art world throughout history, in both sculptures and paintings.

Bodybuilding is judged based on compulsory poses, from which the judges evaluate the different physical attributes mentioned above. Through a scoring system that awards placings, the different positions that complete the classification of a specific category are determined. In bodybuilding, there are different classes where physiques with similar bodies are compared by grouping them into the various categories.

It is a version of bodybuilding for those male athletes who don’t want to develop their muscles to their “extreme” full potentials but prefer lighter “classic” physique.

The different categories within this modality are divided by height, and each height class has a corresponding weight limit that increases with the athlete’s height Since muscle mass is limited, special attention is paid to the overall view of the physique, body proportions and lines, muscle shape and condition (density, bodyfat level, definition and details).

These values are assessed by the judges during Rounds 1 and 3. In Round 2, like in bodybuilding, free posing routines are performed to music of athlete’s choice.

Was introduced by the IFBB in 2016. It is intended for less muscular men, with smaller bodyweight limits, what is the only difference compared to Classic Bodybuilding.

There are several categories that make up this modality, which are further divided by the athletes’ height and their corresponding weight range, which represents the limit the athletes must follow.

This concept has been introduced by the IFBB in the early 90’s, starting as an official competition in 1996 in response to the increasing demand for competitions for women who prefer to develop a less muscular, yet athletic and aesthetically pleasing physique and also to show their physiques in motion. In Women Acrobatic Fitness, the emphasis is placed on a shapely, athletic-looking physique, assessed by comparisons of four quarter turns and athletic ability, assessed during a very attractive and dynamic fitness style routine. Currently, there are two Women’s Fitness categories: up to 163 cm and over 163 cm.

The judges are looking for strengths elements, flexibility movements, high tempo, technical perfection, elegance and grace. Competitors may use small props, associated with their attires.

As it is a physique sport as well, there are also two physique assessment rounds beside these artistic routine rounds. In Round 1 and 3 competitors perform four quarter turns in bikini suit, during which the judges assess their figures and body contours, bodypart shape, bodyfat level, body firmness and muscle tone, overall stage presentation (self-confidence, poise, coordination of movements) as well as the overall style of presentation.

This new concept has been added at IFBB in the early 20’s, in response to the women that want to display a routine more based on rhythm and coordination with the music, displaying a well designed, harmonious and balanced routine. The look is lighter than in the former Acrobatic and with lines and muscle tone as we can see in the Bikini Modality. Artistic Fitness is assessed by comparisons of four quarter turns and assessed during a very attractive and dynamic music routine. Currently, There are three height classes in this modality for the senior category: up to 1.63 m, up to 1.68 m, and over 1.68 m.

As it is a physique sport as well, there are also two physique assessment rounds beside these artistic routine rounds. In Round 1 and 3 competitors perform four quarter turns in bikini suit, during which the judges assess their figures and body contours, bodypart shape, bodyfat level, body firmness and muscle tone, overall stage presentation (self-confidence, poise, coordination of movements) as well as the overall style of presentation

The contest also includes four rounds, with the artistic fitness routine in Round 1 and Round 3 plus quarter turns in Round 2 and Round 4. During the quarter turns competitors wear the swim trunks only and the judges assess the overall male athletic physiques. Posing routines should include strength and flexibility moves, gymnastic moves or other ways of displaying of their athletic talent and capacity.

At the end, the subscores from two final rounds (Round 3 and Round 4) are added to produce the final scores and to reach the final places of the top 6 competitors. Competitors in places from 7th to 15th remain with their scores from the Prejudging (Round 1 and Round 2).

Bodyfitness has been implemented by the IFBB in 2002 to give a chance to compete for wide group of shapely women without the routine rounds, just the physique ones. This formula has proved to be useful and the number of participating competitors increases each year. Later on IFBB created for them the possibility to show their figure in motion during a short individual onstage presentation called “I-walking”.

Currently, there are two rounds of quarter turns in the bikini-style costume of their own choice and classic stiletto pump of any color. At the beginning of Round 2 (finals) top 6 competitors perform individual “I-walking” presentations and then quarter turns as group.

In all rounds judges should assess the overall athletic appearance of the physique, taking into account symmetrically developed physique, muscle tone and shape, with a small amount of body fat, as well as the hair, makeup and individual style of presentation, including personal confidence, poise and grace. This sport discipline is widely open for all well-shaped women working out in the fitness centers and following the healthy sport diet. And they take the advantage of it! Like in fitness, subscores from the final round are used to get the final total and places. There are four body height categories: 158 cm, 163 cm, 168 cm and over 168 cm.

This category has been introduced in 2011 and is aimed at women who keep their body in shape and eat healthy. Overall body lines, balance and proportions, body tone and healthy appearance are taken into consideration. High-intensity weight training and hard, lean muscles are not necessary. The emphasis is on a well-shaped, fit, healthy and attractive appearance, similar to that of models.

Competitors are assessed in two rounds, wearing a two-piece bikini and high-heels. In both rounds, quarter-turns, including front, back and both sides stance, are performed. As well, the final round begins with “I-walking”, which gives each competitor a chance to present her body and her charm on the move.

This competition started with one open class and – due to the extreme popularity – expanded to eight body-height categories nowadays: 158 cm, 160 cm, 162 cm, 164 cm, 166 cm, 169 cm, 172 cm and over 172 cm.

In 2012 the Men’s Physique division was officially launched as a new IFBB sport discipline.

It proves to be a very popular category, so the IFBB has increased the number of Men’s Physique categories from 2 (two) to 6 (six): 170 cm, 173 cm, 176 cm, 179 cm, 182 cm and over 182 cm. They perform two rounds of quarter turns, wearing board shorts of their choice. The final round (Round 2) begins with a short individual onstage presentation of each competitor.

It is aimed at men who do weight training, keep fit and eat a healthy balanced diet, but who prefer to develop a less muscular, yet athletic and aesthetically pleasing physique.

They are fit looking contestants who display proper shape and symmetry, combined with some muscularity and good overall condition. The athletes should have stage presence and poise and their personality and ability to present themselves onstage with confidence, should be visible.

In 2016 IFBB introduced one open category of Muscular Men’s Physique intended for competitors with slightly bigger muscularity than accepted in the regular men’s physique.

The Wellness Fitness division is intended for women who prefer a muscular physique without muscle separation, athletic and aesthetically pleasing, with a bigger body mass than in Bikini Fitness. From this point of view, Wellness Fitness is placed somewhere between Bikini Fitness and Women’s Physique.

Assessing of the physique, judging criteria and rounds are the same like Women’s Bikini Fitness. Competitors performs quarter turns in all rounds plus individual “I-walking” presentation in the finals. Vertical proportions (legs to upper body length) are ones of the key factors. Horizontal proportions (hips and waist to shoulder width) may favour women with a bit bigger hips, thighs and buttocks. There are four Wellness Fitness categories: up to 158 cm, up to 163 cm; up to 168 cm and over 168 cm.

The Women’s Fit Model division was officially recognized as a new sport discipline by the IFBB Executive Council and IFBB Congress on November 6, 2015, in Benidorm, Spain.

The Women’s Fit Model category is designed for women who prefer a physique that is neither excessively muscular nor overly lean. Competitors are expected to showcase a well-shaped, balanced, and proportionally developed body with symmetry.

Judges evaluate the overall appearance, considering not only the physique but also factors such as skin tone, hair, facial beauty, and the ability to present oneself with confidence and grace on stage. The athlete’s poise and stage presence play a crucial role in the final assessment.

Categories:

Women’s Fit Model: Up to and including 158 cm, 162 cm, 166 cm, 169 cm, 172 cm, and over 172 cm.

Beginner Women’s Fit Model: Open category.

Junior Women’s Fit Model: Open category.

Master Women’s Fit Model: Up to and including 164 cm & over 164 cm.

Rounds:

Evening Gown Round (Rounds 1 & 3) – V-walking and quarter turns.

Swimsuit Round (Rounds 2 & 4) – V-walking and quarter turns.

Fit-Pairs is the latest IFBB sport division, introduced in 2020 and approved by the IFBB International Congress. It is devoted for Women’s Bikini athletes and Men’s Physique competitors to create for them the possibility to perform as a couple. Fit-Pairs athletes don’t perform poses like in Mixed-Pairs division and there is no posing routines. They display their physiques, body lines and body quality by performing four quarter turns. Men from the Fit-Pairs perform the Quarter Turns in the same manner like in Men’s Physique, while women perform these turns in the same style like in Women’s Bikini. Men competitors will wear the same attire like in Men’s Physique, Women competitors will wear the same attire like in Women’s Bikini. The judge will assess each Fit-Pair as an entity. Those whose physiques match, harmonize, and complement each other will receive higher places than Fit-Pairs whose physiques are markedly dissimilar and unbalanced, as would be the case of a tall ectomorphic man and a short mesomorphic woman, or vice versa. In the Finals, Fit-Pairs perform also I-walking presentation, lasting no longer than 20 seconds, and then four Quarter Turns.

This new concept in our Bodybuilding modalities is a different version of the Classic Bodybuilding. The relationship between height and weight is different, more kilos, and the criteria worths basically in the old, classic look. Even more, the attire is a retro style one, a short with a minimum long at the sides of 15 cms. Bodies must be classic V shape look, well proportionated, more artistic way to pose. The vacuum pose is the key pose in this division, where a tiny waist is very important in the total physique score. This sport division is growing in every contest under IFBB Classic Physique want to show again the classic look that in the 60 ́s and 70 ́s years in the last century did famous our sport, Bodybuilding. In fact the competition system is doing two news poses; Vacuum pose; famous in the older era of 50 ́s to 80 ́s, the reason for this is easy; evoiding distended bellies and this movement is specially able to show who is the one with problems in this pose. The second new one pose is not only ONE pose, to the calling voice “your favorite classic pose” you can do whatever pose you consider to do, You can not repeat poses and you can not pose to the rear. This way the athlete is free to show his best side to the judges.

Muscle size, classic physique look, tiny waist, rounded muscles, good shoulders and abdominals are the main weapons among the winners.

The IFBB Men’s Fit Model category showcases a harmonious, proportional, and symmetrical physique, combining athletic appearance with elegance, confidence, and stage presence.

Competitors are judged on overall body development and shape, balanced proportions, skin tone, and their ability to present themselves with poise and charisma. The ideal physique should appear healthy and aesthetic, neither excessively muscular nor excessively lean, with an emphasis on a “Total Package” that reflects fitness, style, and personality.

Throughout four rounds, athletes perform quarter turns and individual presentations in gymnastic shorts and casual sport wear, allowing judges to assess both physique and presentation. The Men’s Fit Model division highlights the modern ideal of a fit, confident, and elegant man.

The lineup is composed by 15 athletes, in a sports discipline that combines various elements of strength, endurance as well as balanced physique.

The event is composed by Rounds

Round 1 (Physique Round; Quarter Turns).

Round 2 (Strength Round; Pullups and Dips).

Round 3 (Endurance Round; Ergometer rowing).

Finals Round 4 (Physique Round; Quarter Turns).

Finals Round 5 (Strength Round).

Finals Round 6 (Endurance Round).

The IFBB Fitness Challenge is a competitive discipline that tests strength, endurance, and agility through functional exercises. Unlike traditional bodybuilding, it focuses on physical performance with circuits including push-ups, chin-ups, burpees, and kettlebell lifts, where competitors aim to complete as many reps as possible in two minutes.

This category promotes a dynamic approach to fitness, open to all ages and abilities, from children (6+) to masters (40+). Participants can choose between Bronze, Silver, or Gold levels and compete individually, in pairs, or as teams.

For an even greater challenge, try Speed Fit, where you aim for 30 reps in the shortest time possible.

Ready to push your limits?

Children Fitness is the only IFBB sports division available for children, with no lower age limit. The upper age limit is 16 years old. Then children move to the junior age division.

Children Fitness is one of the most beautiful categories, in a familiar environment, as it is mandatory for the athletes to have the mother (that is usually also an IFBB athlete), as the coach, and therefore IFBB Children Fitness events are a wonderful celebration, plenty of fitness lifestyle families, in which the kids, following the steps from their parents, start their sport carriers, to become later on the champions of the future.

The Children Fitness routine may be a demonstration of talent, personality, and athletic coordination.

The categories for disabled athletes in bodybuilding are divisions that demonstrate what the human will can achieve, despite having certain diminished capacities. The athlete trains those muscles to a level that can no longer be considered normal. The willpower, sacrifice, and discipline in these arts are valued much more than they are in people who do not face these circumstances, since for them, things are not so easy. Despite these challenges, the physical development achieved by the different people who compete in continental and world championships in these disabled modalities often shows little difference when compared to the best physiques in our Federation. It is for us one of the biggest prouds for us to show the physiques of these athletes when they pose on the stage.