Official Bodybuilding Rules

NPC MEMBERSHIP

Each competitor must be a member of the NPC.

CHECK-INS

Competitors will be checked in and weighed.

POSING SUITS

  • All suit bottoms must be V-shaped, no thongs are permitted.
  • Suits worn by male competitors must be plain in color with no fringe or wording.
  • Posing Suits worn by female competitors must be two-piece but may include a printed design with fringes, lace, sparkle or fluorescents that are in good taste.
  • All suits will be inspected at the check-in’s. Every competitor must wear their competition suit under their clothing to check-in’s for inspection. If your suit is not inspected you will not be permitted to compete. No Exceptions.
  • If you change your competition suit from prejudging to finals and the judges deem it not to conform to the rules you will be directed to leave the stage. No Exceptions.
  • Competitors are not permitted to alter the fit of the posing suit by hiking it up in the back or by pulling up the sides at any time while posing on stage.
  • Take a look at our recent NPC contest galleries for examples of approved NPC Posing Suits.

POSING MUSIC

  • Posing music will be used at the Finals.
  • Posing music must be on a CD and must be the only music on the CD. Competitors name must be on the CD for identification.
  • If a contest is using Digital Music Uploads, please follow the directions for that specific contest.
  • Posing music must not contain vulgar lyrics. Competitors using music containing vulgar lyrics will be disqualified.

ONSTAGE

  • During the Prejudging male and female competitors are not permitted to wear any jewelry onstage other than a wedding band and earrings. Decorative pieces in the hair are not permitted.
  • No props or gum are permitted onstage.
  • Any competitor doing the “Moon Pose” will be disqualified.
  • Lying on the floor is prohibited.
  • Bumping and shoving is prohibited, that includes elbowing the competitor on either side of you. All persons involved will be disqualified.
  • Competitor’s numbers will be worn on the left side of the suit bottom with the exception of Bikini and Wellness.
  • Bikini and Wellness competitors have the option of wearing their number on their dominant hip forward when standing to the front, meaning on the left or right side of their suit bottom.

BACKSTAGE

  • The only people permitted in the backstage area are competitors, expediters, NPC officials & NPC News Online.

COMPETITOR’S HEALTH

  • Any competitor who appears to be disoriented, light-headed or experiences undue cramping will not be permitted to compete.
  • Any competitor disqualified for health reasons must be checked by the attending EMT and, if it is advised by the EMT, must go to the nearest hospital for evaluation.
  • Competitors who refuse to be evaluated by the EMT or at the hospital will be suspended from competition for a period of one year from the date of the occurrence.

WEIGHT CLASSES

Bantamweight up to 143 ¼ lbs
Lightweight over 143 ¼ lbs up to 154 ¼ lbs
Middleweight over 154 ¼ lbs up to 176 ¼ lbs
Light-Heavyweightover 176 ¼ lbs up to 198 ¼ lbs
Heavyweight over 198 ¼ lbs up to 225 ¼ lbs
Super Heavyweightover 225 ¼ lbs
Bantamweight 143 ¼ lbs & under
Lightweight over 143 ¼ lbs to & including 154 ¼ lbs
Welterweight*over 154 ¼ lbs. to & including 165 ¼ lbs
Middleweight over 165 ¼ lbs. up to & including 176 ¼ lbs
Light-Heavyweightover 176 ¼ lbs. up to & including 198 ¼ lbs
Heavyweight over 198 ¼ lbs up to & including 225 ¼ lbs
Super Heavyweightover 225 ¼ lbs

*The Welterweight is optional at local, regional and national qualifying contests.

2 CLASSES

Lightweight up to and including 176 ¼ lbs
Heavyweight over 176 ¼ lbs

3 CLASSES

Lightweight up to and including 165 ¼ lbs
Middleweight over 165-1/4 up to and including 187 ¼ lbs
Heavyweight over 187 ¼ lbs

4 CLASSES

Bantamweight up to and including 154 ¼ lbs
Lightweight over 154 ¼ lbs up to and including 176 ¼ lbs
Light-Heavyweightover 176 ¼ lbs up to and including 198 ¼ lbs
Heavyweight over 198 ¼ lbs

5 CLASSES

Bantamweight up to and including 143 ¼ lbs
Lightweight over 143 ¼ lbs up to and including 154 ¼ lbs
Middleweight over 154 ¼ lbs up to and including 176 ¼ lbs
Light-Heavyweightover 176 ¼ lbs up to and including 198 ¼ lbs
Heavyweight over 198 ¼ lbs

6 CLASSES

Bantamweight up to and including 143 ¼ lbs
Lightweight over 143 ¼ lbs up to and including 154 ¼ lbs
Middleweight over 154 ¼ lbs up to and including 176 ¼ lbs
Light-Heavyweightover 176 ¼ lbs up to and including 198 ¼ lbs
Heavyweight over 198 ¼ lbs up to and including 225 ¼ lbs
Super Heavyweightover 225 ¼ lbs

Note: At the NPC Universe Championships there is no Super Heavyweight class but there is a Welterweight class that is over 154 ¼ lbs up to and including 165 ¼ lbs for a total of six (6) classes.

2 CLASSES

Lightweight up to and including 125 lbs
Heavyweight over 125 lbs

3 CLASSES

Lightweight up to and including 125 lbs
Middleweight over 125 lbs up to and including 140 lbs
Heavyweight over 140 lbs

4 CLASSES

Lightweight up to and including 115 lbs
Middleweightover 115 lbs up to and including 125 lbs
Light-Heavyweightover 125 lbs up to and including 140 lbs
Heavyweightover 140 lbs

Note: National level contests do not permit competitors to cross over into fitness, figure or bikini at the same event. All other competitions are permitted to have crossovers at the discretion of the promoter with appropriate approval.

THE PREJUDGING POSING ROUNDS FOR MALE AND FEMALE COMPETITORS

Judges will score competitors according to the NPC “total package” which is a balance of size, symmetry and muscularity.

POSING ROUNDS:

  • Keep your feet flat
  • Keep your heels together
  • Hold your arms at your sides
  • No excessive twisting
  • Your head must be facing the same direction as your feet
  • Begin when ready – no signal is necessary from the Head Judge.
  • Maximum of 60 seconds with a warning when 10 seconds remain.
  • You are not obligated to use all 60 seconds.
  • Lying on the floor is not permitted.
  • Front Double Bicep
  • Front Lat Spread
  • Side Chest
  • Side Tricep
  • Rear Double Bicep
  • Rear Lat Spread
  • Abdominals with one thigh
  • Men Only: Favorite Most Muscular
  • NO Gymnastic Moves Are Allowed

Note: Scroll below to see examples of mandatory round poses.

Mandatory Round Poses

NATIONAL LEVEL CONTESTS

NPC Junior USA Championships

NPC Junior National Championships

NPC Masters Nationals Championships

NPC USA Championships

NPC Universe Championships

NPC North American Championships

NPC National Championships

ENTRY INFORMATION

The following must be provided with your entry:

  1. NPC contest you entered
  2. Date of contest
  3. Contest promoter
  4. Your weight class and final placing