Fitness and figure competition
Encyclopedia
Fitness and Figure competition is a class of physique-exhibition events for women. While bearing a close resemblance to female bodybuilding
, they emphasizes muscle
tone over muscle size.
) and perform a demanding aerobic routine. In a Figure contest, the emphasis is on the feminine and there is not a routine round. Curves are compulsory, and facial beauty is prized. However, the physique guidelines are similar, and many women cross over from one to the other. The division emerged on the scene when the numbers for Fitness competitions started to dwindle. Typically these competitions are held as part of the same events as bodybuilding
contests.
in 1985 at the National Fitness trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada
and included a swimsuit round, an athletic routine, and an evening gown segment. Louis Zwick, then the producer of American Muscle, a bodybuilding show on ESPN
, did a segment on the pageant. The number of contests was proliferating, and Zwick himself launched Fitness America (now Fitness Universe
) in 1989. The International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness soon followed suit and held their own sanctioned Fitness Olympia
in 1995.
The first women's Figure competition was the National Physique Committee
Figure Nationals held in 2001 at BMCC
's Performing Arts Center, Tribeca
New York. It was a qualifier and precursor to the 2003 IFBB Figure Olympia
held in Las Vegas, Nevada
. The Fitness Universe
organization launched their own Figure division in 2005.
round and a routine round. In the swimsuit round, the competitors wear two-piece swimsuits and high-heeled shoes, presenting their physiques with a series of quarter- or half-turns toward the judges and audience. Physique guidelines for fitness competitions typically suggest a small amount of muscular mass; clear separations between muscle groups (but, no visible striations
); and, leanness. The swimsuit must cover at least fifty percent of the gluteus maximus muscle
; no thongs or G-strings are allowed. The routine round requires a physically active stage performance; most competitors attempt aerobic
, dance
, and/or gymnastic routines.
Fitness contests sanctioned by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB) are the Fitness Olympia
and the Fitness International
. Fitness contests sanctioned by Wally Boyko Productions
are the National Fitness Sanctioning Body (NFSB) Ms. Fitness USA
and the International Fitness Sanctioning Body (IFSB) Ms. Fitness World
. Fitness contests sanctioned by the Fitness Universe
organization are the Fitness America Pageant and the Fitness Universe Pageant.
and tone
; as in Fitness shows, muscle size is downplayed. Figure competitions appeal most to women who want to compete in a body competition, but wish to avoid Fitness shows' additional athletic and creative demands (the routine round), or bodybuilding
's demands for heavy muscle mass.
A typical figure competition includes two rounds, though this varies by organization. In the symmetry round, the competitors appear on stage in high-heeled shoes and a one-piece swimsuit in a side-by-side line that faces the judges. They execute a series of quarter-turns to the right, allowing the judges to view and compare them from all sides for symmetry, presentation, and other aesthetic qualities such as skin tone, hair, make-up, and stylishness of clothing. In the next round (the group comparisons), competitors return in high heels and a two-piece bathing suit, executing a series of quarter-turns. At this stage, they are judged more critically against the others for conditioning, leanness, and how "feminine" and "athletic" (as opposed to brawny) their muscularity is. Included in either of these rounds, or perhaps just the evening show, the competitors come out individually on stage for a model walk where they are judged on presentation, gracefulness, confidence, poise, and professionalism.
Figure contests sanctioned by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB) are the Figure Olympia
and the Figure International
. Figure contests sanctioned by the Fitness Universe
organization is the Figure Universe Pageant.
Female bodybuilding
Female bodybuilding is the female component of competitive bodybuilding. It began in the late 1970s when women began to take part in bodybuilding competitions.-Beginnings:...
, they emphasizes muscle
Muscle
Muscle is a contractile tissue of animals and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...
tone over muscle size.
Overview
Fitness and Figure are three distinct forms of competition. In a Fitness contest, the competitors show off their physiques (still not as big as bodybuildersBodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
) and perform a demanding aerobic routine. In a Figure contest, the emphasis is on the feminine and there is not a routine round. Curves are compulsory, and facial beauty is prized. However, the physique guidelines are similar, and many women cross over from one to the other. The division emerged on the scene when the numbers for Fitness competitions started to dwindle. Typically these competitions are held as part of the same events as bodybuilding
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
contests.
History
The first women's Fitness competition was produced by Wally BoykoWally Boyko Productions
Wally Boyko Productions is an organization that hosts fitness competitions in America and internationally, most notably the Ms. Fitness USA and World.-History:...
in 1985 at the National Fitness trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
and included a swimsuit round, an athletic routine, and an evening gown segment. Louis Zwick, then the producer of American Muscle, a bodybuilding show on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
, did a segment on the pageant. The number of contests was proliferating, and Zwick himself launched Fitness America (now Fitness Universe
Fitness Universe
Fitness Universe is an organization that hosts fitness, modeling, and bodybuilding competitions in America and internationally.-History:The first American fitness competition, Ms. Fitness by Wally Boyko Productions, was born in 1985 at the National Fitness trade show in Las Vegas and included an...
) in 1989. The International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness soon followed suit and held their own sanctioned Fitness Olympia
Fitness Olympia
The Fitness Olympia is a contest in women's fitness competition, and is sanctioned by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness. The contest was first held in 1995. Susie Curry and Adela Garcia have won the most titles, with six.-Winners:...
in 1995.
The first women's Figure competition was the National Physique Committee
National Physique Committee
The National Physique Committee is the largest amateur bodybuilding organization in the United States. Amateur bodybuilders compete in various competitions from local to national competitions sanctioned by the NPC...
Figure Nationals held in 2001 at BMCC
Borough of Manhattan Community College
The Borough of Manhattan Community College is one of six two-year colleges within the City University of New York system and the only one in Manhattan. Founded in 1963, BMCC originally offered business-oriented and liberal arts degrees for those intending to enter the business world or transfer...
's Performing Arts Center, Tribeca
TriBeCa
Tribeca is a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan, New York in the United States. Its name is an acronym based on the words "Triangle below Canal Street", and is properly bounded by Canal Street, West Street, Broadway, and Vesey Street...
New York. It was a qualifier and precursor to the 2003 IFBB Figure Olympia
Figure Olympia
The Figure Olympia is an annual women's figure competition sanctioned by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness. The contest was first held in 2003. Davana Medina has won the most titles, with three.-Winners:-Notes:...
held in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
. The Fitness Universe
Fitness Universe
Fitness Universe is an organization that hosts fitness, modeling, and bodybuilding competitions in America and internationally.-History:The first American fitness competition, Ms. Fitness by Wally Boyko Productions, was born in 1985 at the National Fitness trade show in Las Vegas and included an...
organization launched their own Figure division in 2005.
Fitness competition
A typical Fitness competition consists of a swimsuitSwimsuit
A swimsuit, bathing suit, or swimming costume is an item of clothing designed to be worn by men, women or children while they are engaging in a water-based activity or water sports, such as swimming, water polo, diving, surfing, water skiing, or during activities in the sun, such as sun bathing.A...
round and a routine round. In the swimsuit round, the competitors wear two-piece swimsuits and high-heeled shoes, presenting their physiques with a series of quarter- or half-turns toward the judges and audience. Physique guidelines for fitness competitions typically suggest a small amount of muscular mass; clear separations between muscle groups (but, no visible striations
Striated muscle
Striated muscle tissue is a form of fibers that are combined into parallel fibers. More specifically, it can refer to:* Cardiac muscle .* Skeletal muscle* Branchiomeric muscles...
); and, leanness. The swimsuit must cover at least fifty percent of the gluteus maximus muscle
Gluteus maximus muscle
The gluteus maximus is the largest and most superficial of the three gluteal muscles...
; no thongs or G-strings are allowed. The routine round requires a physically active stage performance; most competitors attempt aerobic
Aerobic exercise
Aerobic exercise is physical exercise of relatively low intensity that depends primarily on the aerobic energy-generating process. Aerobic literally means "living in air", and refers to the use of oxygen to adequately meet energy demands during exercise via aerobic metabolism...
, dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
, and/or gymnastic routines.
Fitness contests sanctioned by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB) are the Fitness Olympia
Fitness Olympia
The Fitness Olympia is a contest in women's fitness competition, and is sanctioned by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness. The contest was first held in 1995. Susie Curry and Adela Garcia have won the most titles, with six.-Winners:...
and the Fitness International
Fitness International
The Fitness International is an annual women's fitness competition run by the International Federation of BodyBuilders. The contest is held annually as part of the Arnold Classic, and was first held in 1997. Susie Curry has won the most titles, with four....
. Fitness contests sanctioned by Wally Boyko Productions
Wally Boyko Productions
Wally Boyko Productions is an organization that hosts fitness competitions in America and internationally, most notably the Ms. Fitness USA and World.-History:...
are the National Fitness Sanctioning Body (NFSB) Ms. Fitness USA
Ms. Fitness
Ms. Fitness is an annual women's fitness competition run by Wally Boyko Productions. The first contest was held in 1985.-Winners:Ms. Fitness is an annual women's fitness competition run by Wally Boyko Productions. The first contest was held in 1985.-Winners:Ms. Fitness WorldMs. Fitness USAMs....
and the International Fitness Sanctioning Body (IFSB) Ms. Fitness World
Ms. Fitness
Ms. Fitness is an annual women's fitness competition run by Wally Boyko Productions. The first contest was held in 1985.-Winners:Ms. Fitness is an annual women's fitness competition run by Wally Boyko Productions. The first contest was held in 1985.-Winners:Ms. Fitness WorldMs. Fitness USAMs....
. Fitness contests sanctioned by the Fitness Universe
Fitness Universe
Fitness Universe is an organization that hosts fitness, modeling, and bodybuilding competitions in America and internationally.-History:The first American fitness competition, Ms. Fitness by Wally Boyko Productions, was born in 1985 at the National Fitness trade show in Las Vegas and included an...
organization are the Fitness America Pageant and the Fitness Universe Pageant.
Figure competition
Figure competition is a newer sub-category of Fitness contests. Figure shows exclude the routine round common to Fitness shows. The competitors are judged solely on muscular symmetrySymmetry
Symmetry generally conveys two primary meanings. The first is an imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically pleasing proportionality and balance; such that it reflects beauty or perfection...
and tone
Muscle tone
In physiology, medicine, and anatomy, muscle tone is the continuous and passive partial contraction of the muscles, or the muscle’s resistance to passive stretch during resting state. It helps maintain posture, and it declines during REM sleep.-Purpose:Unconscious nerve impulses maintain the...
; as in Fitness shows, muscle size is downplayed. Figure competitions appeal most to women who want to compete in a body competition, but wish to avoid Fitness shows' additional athletic and creative demands (the routine round), or bodybuilding
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
's demands for heavy muscle mass.
A typical figure competition includes two rounds, though this varies by organization. In the symmetry round, the competitors appear on stage in high-heeled shoes and a one-piece swimsuit in a side-by-side line that faces the judges. They execute a series of quarter-turns to the right, allowing the judges to view and compare them from all sides for symmetry, presentation, and other aesthetic qualities such as skin tone, hair, make-up, and stylishness of clothing. In the next round (the group comparisons), competitors return in high heels and a two-piece bathing suit, executing a series of quarter-turns. At this stage, they are judged more critically against the others for conditioning, leanness, and how "feminine" and "athletic" (as opposed to brawny) their muscularity is. Included in either of these rounds, or perhaps just the evening show, the competitors come out individually on stage for a model walk where they are judged on presentation, gracefulness, confidence, poise, and professionalism.
Figure contests sanctioned by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB) are the Figure Olympia
Figure Olympia
The Figure Olympia is an annual women's figure competition sanctioned by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness. The contest was first held in 2003. Davana Medina has won the most titles, with three.-Winners:-Notes:...
and the Figure International
Figure International
The Figure International is an annual women's figure competition run by the International Federation of BodyBuilders. The contest is held annually as part of the Arnold Classic, and was first held in 2003 . Jenny Lynn has won the most titles, with three.-Winners:...
. Figure contests sanctioned by the Fitness Universe
Fitness Universe
Fitness Universe is an organization that hosts fitness, modeling, and bodybuilding competitions in America and internationally.-History:The first American fitness competition, Ms. Fitness by Wally Boyko Productions, was born in 1985 at the National Fitness trade show in Las Vegas and included an...
organization is the Figure Universe Pageant.
See also
- Fitness model
- List of female fitness & figure competitors