Woman Bodybuilders making a comeback?

I love all bodybuilding, anyone that trains with weights for strength, fitness and health and competitions. Over the years I have seen woman in the wrong divisions for a number of reasons... read below my thoughts on bodybuilding and an insight of what judges are looking for....

As a young teenager reading my ironman magazines I would look in awe at pictures of woman who had shaped their bodies to reach their ultimate potential and achieve what most woman would ever achieve.

The hours of discipline with training and dieting was just a part of life!

In Victoria we saw these divisions getting smaller and smaller but slowly new and old bodybuilding woman are making a comeback.

Building muscle does not happen overnight and bodybuilding does take time. In my eyes a true bodybuilder takes years to sculpt. Yes you can get ready for a first competition and take only 12 weeks to build muscle, stript fat, be introduced to a strict diet and get up on stage. In my eyes you see the difference quite easily between a matured muscle or not!

I have seen time and time again woman competing in the wrong division.
With encouragement and talking to many woman over the last years of promoting the sport I continue to encourage and help those that want to understand  which division their physiques would be more suited.

Through our Get The Edge Workshops, visiting gyms and personal trainers and meeting new potential bodybuilders i will continue to do so but at the end of the day the competitor has to make a choice. Heels or no heels, Bodybuilding does take in my eyes a stricter diet and having to lift heavier weights. Chioce has to be yours if your a competitor.

No questions though we are finding once again woman are gracing the stages and woman are saying be proud of muscle. The likes of Jo Collopy (2nd from the right) has been competing and volunteering back stage at ANB shows for over 15 years or so once again has fellow competitors hoping to one day take over the Australia Masters O50 Champion Title that Jo has held for the last year. You can see from the overal physique line-up in the photo that the ladies are having lots of fun. These ladies range from the age of 22 -50 years plus. The girls are having a showdown showing the crowd that if they can so can you!

ANB Nationals over the years though have not had trouble getting all divisions filled with the weight divisions, masters divisions and ANB Victoria continues to grow also the hope that bodybuilding woman continue to compete.

We hear ladies with phsiques to suit these categories that they want to wear heels and be more feminine or dont want to be portrayed as big muscular woman. What could be more feminine than the likes of Cory Everson up on stage and off. We now are seeing them grace the stages. Plus let us tell you its not that easy for a natural bodybuilders to get big bulky muscles has you would hope!

Lets not take away though that woman figure are portrayed more beautiful because of the heels and open hand posing maybe... To me bodybuilding is not just that. Its preparing yourself for a competition and fitting into the right catergory or division.

Want to know what it takes to Judge Physique Versus Figure Woman Classes?

Judging Women's Physique Classes

Judging Criteria for Women is not as simple as you might expect! The judging of the Woman's "Bodybuilding" class should be conducted using the same principles as the Men's classes, although ensuring that the competitors still maintain the sleek Feminine lines expected of the Female athlete. Muscularity, Symmetry & Proportion are all significant attributes * should be regarded in the same manner in a Female physique as in a Males. The criterion in the Women’s “Figure” class differs from the "Bodybuilding" class in that Symmetry & Proportion attract MORE significance than Muscularity. A firm, toned, "Feminine" physique is called for although there should be some degree of Muscularity & Muscular Separation, it should not approximate that level of muscularity displayed in the "Bodybuilding" classes. Presentation & Development take an increased importance as these qualities enhance the Feminine aspect of the competitor’s physique. Compulsory poses for the "Figure" class differ from the "Bodybuilding" classes.

Judging Women's Figure Classes

Competitors must have a trained athletic physique. Figure competitors should show muscle separation between all major muscle groups. The concept of Women’s Figure is to express more aesthetic athlic figure. High heel shoes are worn. Competitors are encouraged to wear any colours and 3/4 cut costumes during judging rounds. G-Strings are not permitted under any circumstances. Hands remain open not clenched. Competitors may twist their physique during the symmetry round. (Hips must face the front)

If you are not sure of what division you should enter, speak to your coach, contact us for a posing workshop in your state , submit a photo here and a representative will give you some advice.

We love woman with muscles!

Next article.. finding the right trainer.....