IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR NPC ATHLETES:

All competitors must have a current NPC card at the athlete check-in. NPC memberships run as the calendar year from January 1 – December 31.

An NPC athlete can compete in the TRUE NOVICE division as long as they have never entered that particular NPC division.

An NPC athlete can compete in the NOVICE division as long as they have never won their class in that particular NPC division.

ALLOTTED TIME FOR FINALS POSING ROUTINES:

NPC Men & Women Bodybuilding, Classic Physique & Women Physique will be 60 seconds choreographed routine to music at evening finals. NPC Fitness routines are 2 minutes. Gymnastics moves are prohibited in all divisions except Women Fitness. 

For the above posing category divisions, all registered NPC athletes will be prompted to upload their music by their confirmation email.

The NPC Fitness division will no longer have the two-piece swimsuit round. All NPC athletes will judged on their fitness routines including the following mandatory moves; push-up, high kick, straddle hold & side split.

Beginning in 2018, only the top two of each open class of every open category will qualify for NPC National level status. Qualification is good through the ensuing year.

Please take note that due to liability concerns, weight equipment in the pump up area can no longer be provided. You are allowed to bring your own bands at your own risk.

Backstage passes can be purchased at the NPC athlete check-in only. This recipient must have a current NPC card membership with proper identification for liability purposes and must show proof of purchase of prejudging & evening finals tickets prior to buying a backstage pass. You will not be able to pass security backstage without proper credentials. Backstage photography or videography is strictly prohibited.

NPC News Online is the official photographer / videographer at all Tim Gardner Productions events. Industry stand-out, Dan Ray will assist NPC News Online at all Tim Gardner Productions Events. Individual photo shoots can be reserved or scheduled with our official photographers.

Hot Spot Tanning is the official tanning, hair & makeup company at all Tim Gardner Productions events. No other tanning companies are allowed to set up at the designated official host hotels.

NPC competitors can register online for each designated Tim Gardner Productions event at www.timgardnerproductions.com. Each athlete can enter as many classes in various categories for multiple crossovers if eligible. Entry fees are non-refundable but can be applied as a credit for a future Tim Gardner Productions event.

ATTENTION PHOTOGRAPHERS & VIDEOGRAPHERS:

Video, telephoto lens cameras & live streaming are strictly prohibited at any Tim Gardner Productions IFBB Professional League Pro-Am event.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Judges will score competitors according to the IFBB Pro League "total package" which is balance of size, symmetry and muscularity. 

JUDGING POSING ROUNDS

Relaxed

• Keep your feet flat
• Keep your heels together
• Hold your arms at your side
• No twisting
• Your head must be facing the same direction as your feet

Individual

• Begin when ready - no signal is necessary from Head Judge
• Maximum of 60 seconds with a 10 seconds warning
• You are not obligated to use all 60 seconds
• Lying on the floor is not permitted

Mandatory

• Front Double Bicep
• Front Lat Spread
• Side Chest
• Side Tricep
• Rear Double Bicep
• Rear Lat Spread
• Abdominals with one thigh
• No Gymnastic moves are allowed

ONSTAGE

• During the judging, competitors are not permitted to wear Jewelry onstage other than a wedding band
• Decorative pieces in the hair are not permitted
• No glasses are not permitted
• Any competitor doing the "Moon Pose" will be disqualified
• Lying on the floor is prohibited
• Bumping and shoving is phohibited. First and secound persons involved will be disqualified
• Competitor numbers are to be worn on the left side of your body
  

JUDGING CRITERIA

Muscularity and Body Condition
Judges will be looking for fit contestants who display proper shape and symmetry combined with muscularity and overall condition. This is not a bodybuilding contest so extreme muscularity will be marked down. 

Stage Presence and Personality
Contestants will be asked to walk in board shorts (Shorts must be just above the knee in length and can be one inch below the belly button, no spandex and no logos are permitted on the board shorts, however manufacturer's logo such as Nike symbols or Billabong are acceptable.) Competitors will enter the stage without a shirt and barefoot. No lewd acts allowed for example the moon pose. No Gymnastics moves are allowed. Judges are looking for the contestants with the best presence and poise who can successfully convey his personality to the audience.

COMPETITION JUDGING

Presentation
Competitors will walk to the center of the stage and perform front and back turns with optional pose of hand on hip or hand in pocket, finishing facing the judges as directed then proceed to the side of the stage. 

Comparison Round

• The competitors will be brought back in a group and directed to do turns.
• Judges will have the opportunity to compare competitors against each other in turns. No Gymnastic moves are allowed.
  

MANDATORY POSES

The judging is scored 100% and will consist of comparisions of the quater turns and the following "5" mandatory poses:

• Front Double Biceps
• Side Chest
• Back Double Biceps
• Abdominal and Thighs
• Favourite Classic Pose (Not Most Muscular)

HEIGHT & WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS:

The breakdown for the 4 height classes will be:

JUDGING ROUND

The finals will consist of

• Posing Routine (up to maximum of 60 seconds) No Gymnastics moves are allowed
• Confirmation round (If necessary)
• Posedown (Over title only)

COMPETITION WEAR

Competitors are required to wear posing shorts. You are "NOT" to wear board shorts or Bodybuilding posing trunks. Competitors are required to wear the same type of cut and all shorts that are worn in competition must be black.

CROSSOVERS

Athletes will be allowed to crossover and compete in additional divisions. This way you can choose where you currently fit the best.

FITNESS COMPETITOR RULES

• Competitors will compete in a two-piece suit. The bottom of the suit must be v-shaped. No thongs are permitted. Competitors can compete in an off the rack suit. All swimsuits must be in good taste.
• Competitors must wear high heels
• Competitors may wear jewelry
• Round two (2) is maximum two minute routine
• The contestants should have shape to their muscles but not size, definition or vascularity as in bodybuilding physique. If these are present the contestent will be scored down. 
• IFBB Pro League Qualifying LEVEL contests do not permit competitors to crossover into bodybuilding, figure or bikini in the same event. All other competitions are permitted to have crossovers at the discretion of the promoter with appropiate approval. 

Beginning in 2018, the emphasis in Women's Fitness will be the fitness routine and will be scored as 1/3 on Physique / Two-Piece Swimsuit and 2/3 on the Two Minute Fitness Routine. The Two Minute Fitness Routine scores will be doubled.

The mandatory movements within the routine, in no specific order, in Women's Fitness are as follows: 

• Push Up (of any kind)
• High Kicks
• Straddle Hold
• Side Split

The Physique/Two-Piece Swimsuit round will be judged during prejudging and the Two Minute Fitness Routine will be performed and scored during finals. It is suggested that finals begin with the Two Minute Fitness Routine. 

FINALS

All athletes will be introduced in their two-piece swimsuits. The finalists will perform their routines. After all classes are completed the trophies will be awarded. At competitions where there is more than one class the class winners will be brought back in heir two-piece swimsuits. Quater turns will be done. The judges will then decide on the overall winner based on their physique and routine. In regards to ties, after highs and lows are removed if there is still a tie, then the athlete who has won the routine round is the winner. 

Judges will use four (4) aspects to score this round using the following criteria:

• Strength: The amount and types of strength moves. The degree of difficulty of these moves. The ease and correctness of the moves.
• Flexibility: The number and types of flexibility moves. The degree of difficulty of these moves. The ease and correctness of the moves.
• Cardiovascular: The tempo of the routine.
• Overall Package: Full general assessment including but not limited to creativity, stage presence, outfits, hair and make-up. 
  

NPC FIGURE COMPETITOR RULES

• Competitors will compete in a two-piece suit. The bottom of the suit must be v-shaped. No thongs are permitted. Competitors can compete in an off the rack suit. All swimsuits must be in good taste.
• Figure will not have a routine round.
• Competitors must wear high heels
• Competitors may wear jewelry
• IFBB Pro League Qualifying contests do not permit competitors to crossover into Bodybuilding, Fitness or Bikini at the same event. All other competitors are permitted to have crossover at the discretion of the promoter with appropiate approval.

PRESENTATION

Competitors will walk on to the centre of the stage alone and perform quarter (1/4) turns, face the judges as directed then proceed to the side of the stage.

COMPARISON ROUND - 2 PIECE SWIMSUIT

• Competitors will be judged wearing a two-piece swimsuit and high heels
• The competitors will be brought back out in a group and directed to do quater turns
• Judges will have the opportunity to compare competitors against each other in later turns

SCORING

Judges will be scoring competitors using the following criteria:

• Small degree of muscularity with separation, no visible striations
• Overall muscle tone with shapely lines, overall firmness and not excessively lean
• Full general assessment
• Healthy appearance
• Make-up
  

BIKINI COMPETITOR RULES

• Competitors will compete in a two-piece suit. The bottom of the suit must be v-shaped. No thongs are permitted. Competitors can compete in an off the rack suit. All swimsuits must be in good taste. Athletes will be warned about improper suits and are advised to bring two (2) suits to check in. The fronts of the suits must be constructed high. Athletes will be scored down if the suit is not up to standard.
• Competitors must wear high heels.
• Competitors may wear jewelry.
• IFBB Pro League qualifying contests do not permet competitors into Bodybuilding, Fitness or Figure at the same event. All other competitions are permitted to have crossover at the discretion of the promoter with appropiate approval. 

BIKINI COMPETITION JUDGING

• Competitors will walk onstage alone and perform their Model Walk (personal preference)
• The Model Walk consists of the following:

Walk to the center of the stage, stop and do a front stance, then a full turn and do a back stance, then turn to the front again and face the judges as directed then proceed to the side of the stage. No lewd acts are permitted. Length of time allowed is 10 seconds. 

COMPARISON ROUND, TWO-PIECE SWIMSUIT

• Competitors will be judged wearing a two-piece swimsuit and heels.
• The competitors will be brought back out in a group and directed to do a full front and back stance.
• Judges will have the opportunity to compare competitors against each other in half turns. (No side judging permitted, front and back only.)

SCORING



Judges will be scoring competitors using the following criteria:

• Balance and Shape
• Overall physical appearance including complexion, skin time, poise and overall presentation.
  

JUDGING CRITERIA



• Symmetry, shape, proportion, muscle tone, poise and beauty flow
• Physique assessment and comparison will take place during prejudging 

Women's Physique Division has been created to give a platform for women who enjoy weight training, competing, contest preparation. Competitors should display a toned, athletic physique showcasing feminity, muscle tone, beauty flow of physique. While all types of physiques will be considered when it comes to height, weight, structure, etc. Excessive muscularity should be scored down accordingly.

Women's Physique competitors should have the overall aesthetics and look that is found in figure with a little more overall muscularity. 

JUDGING FORMAT

• Individual routine with 10 second warning up to one minute 
• Quater turns
• Mandatory posing comparisons/callouts

Finals routine will be maximum 90 seconds in length, performed to music of athletes choice adhering to rules set forth by the IFBB Pro League. Music containing profanity or explicit language should not be used and may result in routine being cut short.

• No props will be used.
• No heels may be worn at any time during the competition/judging of women's physique 
• No Gymnastics moves are allowed

MANDATORY POSES

• Front double bicep/open hands (no flat footed full front pose - some sort of front twisting pose)
• Back double biceps/open hands
• Side triceps with leg extended
• Front ab/thigh
  

JUDGING CRITERIA

This division is for females with athletic physique’s that showcase more body mass in the hips, glutes and thigh areas. The upper body is developed but not to the same degree as the lower body. 

JUDGING FORMAT

Front
Competitors will face front with one hand on hip, one arm straight down and one leg slightly extended. We do not want to see the arm off to side with the elbow bent and the wrist bent upwards.

Quarter turn Right
Competitors will turn slightly facing the judges with right hand on hip and left arm straight down and right leg bent at knee. More like a twisting side pose that Bikini competitors perform. We do not want to see the arm off to side with the elbow bent and the wrist bent upwards.

Quarter turn Rear
Competitors will face the rear with lower back arched with glutes pushed back. We do not want to see the arm off to side with the elbow bent and the wrist bent upwards.

Quarter turn Right
Competitors will turn slightly facing the judges with the left hand on the hip, right arm relaxed and left leg bent at knee. We do not want to see the arm off to side with the elbow bent and the wrist bent upwards.

Model Walk
As it is currently performed in the Bikini Division. Listen to instructions from the Head Judge. 



• As with All Other Divisions, No Lewd Acts Are Permitted and will result in automatic disqualification 
• We do not want to see the arm off to side with the elbow bent and the wrist bent upwards as seen below