Category

Bodybuilding

Bodybuilding competitors on stage Ban Studios

At a glance

Bodybuilding (Men & Women)

  • 2Rounds
  • 4Quarter turns
  • 9Mandatory poses
  • 60sPosing routine

What to wear: Men: solid-colour, non-reflective, opaque V-shaped posing trunks with no stripes, emblems or embellishments. Women: a two-piece bodybuilding suit; decorated suits are allowed. For both: proper coverage at the back (no thongs), and no neck chains, bracelets or watches (small earrings and wedding bands are fine).

See the classes you can enter

Official WNBF Criteria

  1. Round 1 of 2

    Symmetry

    Focuses on overall balance and conditioning from top to bottom and side poses. Judges look for an X-frame, first considering the silhouette of the athlete, then balance between and across muscle groups, top to bottom, front to back, left to right.

    • X-frame silhouette
    • Balanced muscle groups
    • Top to bottom

  2. Round 2 of 2

    Muscularity & Conditioning

    Athletes will be judged on the size of muscles and conditioning/definition by executing a series of mandatory poses. Judges are looking at the complete package from all parts of the physique, not just one body part at a time.

    • Full
    • Separation & striations
    • The complete package

Every class is scored by a panel of 5 to 7 judges. How judging works

Posing guide

Athletes face the judges in the front symmetry pose, then make quarter turns to the right as called by the Head Judge, finishing back at the front.

1 / 4 Entry & final position

Front Symmetry

  • Face the judges, torso upright, feet together or slightly apart, toes forward and feet flat.
  • Arms by your sides, not touching your body or flared too wide.
  • Open your lats to show your V-taper.

Posing tip: Focus on displaying the X-frame and overall symmetry, not flexing individual muscles.

2 / 4 Quarter turn right

Side Symmetry Left

  • Turn to face the right side of the stage, torso upright.
  • Feet together or slightly staggered, flat on the stage.
  • Arms by your sides, not touching your body or flared too wide.
  • Twist your upper body slightly to show your rear shoulder and V-taper.

Posing tip: Focus on displaying the X-frame and overall symmetry from the side, not flexing individual muscles.

3 / 4 Quarter turn right

Rear Symmetry

  • Face the rear, torso upright, feet together or slightly apart and flat on the stage.
  • Arms by your sides, not touching your body or flared too wide.
  • Spread your lats to show your V-taper.

Posing tip: Focus on displaying the X-frame and overall symmetry from the rear, not flexing individual muscles.

4 / 4 Quarter turn right

Side Symmetry Right

  • Turn to face the left side of the stage, torso upright.
  • Feet together or slightly staggered, flat on the stage.
  • Arms by your sides, not touching your body or flared too wide.
  • Twist your upper body slightly to show your rear shoulder and V-taper.

Posing tip: Focus on displaying the X-frame and overall symmetry from the side, not flexing individual muscles.

1 of 4

Alessandro Colandrea

Official Media Team: Ban Studios

Posing routine

Stage order

  1. 1 Enter, front symmetry Face the judges in the front symmetry pose.
  2. 2 Round 1: quarter turns Quarter turns to the right, finishing at the front.
  3. 3 Round 2: mandatory poses 9 poses in order, as called by the Head Judge.
  4. 4 60-second posing routine Exit the stage, then return one by one.

Posing routine

After Round 2, competitors exit the stage and return one by one to perform a 60-second (or shorter) posing routine. Routines don't count towards your placing.

Once per category: you only do your posing routine in the first class you compete in for each category on the day. For example, if you enter Novice and Open in Bodybuilding, you will only do your posing routine in the Novice class.

On stage
  • Your routine starts when you hit the X at the front of the stage. Your music will play unless you've requested otherwise.
  • You're welcome to use the whole stage.
Your music
  • Once you register, you'll receive the steps to upload your posing music.
  • Your choice of music, in MP3 format.
  • Music plays for 60 seconds only. If your file is longer, it will stop at 60 seconds.
  • If you haven't sent your music by the deadline, you'll pose to music chosen by WNBF Australia.

Ready to step on stage?

Check the 2027 show dates and register for your first Bodybuilding class.

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