The Difference Between Female Competition Categories

It was recently requested of me to do a post about the difference between the different categories of bodybuilding competitions. For some of you, you may already know this. But for others, I hope this post provides the information that you were looking for or that you learn something that you were not expecting to learn.

So, with that being said, let's get started!

Women's Bodybuilding

This is what instantly comes to mind when one thinks of a women's bodybuilding competition: 

Ms. Olympia, Yaxeni Oriquen! (Source)

This is a woman competing in the women's bodybuilding category. Yes, this is a separate category. In women's bodybuilding, the women are judged on symmetry, overall muscle development, and definition. This group has the most muscular women out of all of the categories. They wear no shoes on stage and desire to look "X-shaped." What does this mean? Well, it means that they want to have a large upper body and very large legs. This creates the illusion of looking like an "X." Muscle fibers are typically seen on a competitor. This also seems to be the most controversial category out of them all. For one, there are a number of people that don't think it's right and "natural" for a woman to obtain large amounts of muscle. It's not "feminine." Second, many women bodybuilders take testosterone (the male hormone which allows them to build more muscle that women) as well as steroids to look bigger. I for one do not desire to compete in this category but I have to admire and respect the women who obtain this amount of muscle naturally and have the courage to step out on stage.

Figure

*This is the one I want to compete in!*

The lovely Candice Keene! (Source)

Figure is a category that emphasizes muscle symmetry and tone. Unlike women's bodybuilding, figure does not obtain quite the amount of muscle and focuses more on the "V-shape." This means that they want large, rounded "boulder shoulders" and wide lats to make the waist look smaller and create the illusion of a "V." They want toned legs but not overly-built, such as the legs seen on women bodybuilders. They want to achieve a balanced, lean and muscular look, but with no visible muscle fibers like women's bodybuilding. Figure competitors glam it up: a blingy suit, super high heels, all done up hair and sparkling make-up. Competitors must stand on stage and perform certain poses for the judges to judge their overall physique. The objective is to look feminine but muscular at the same time.

Fitness

Bethany Cisternino! (Source)

Fitness is very similar to figure, but fitness gets a bit more complicated. Fitness aims to have an identical muscular look, but in fitness, competitors must perform a routine (typically a dance or gymnastics routine) on top of the swimsuit round where they are also judged on symmetry and tone. 

Bikini

India Paulino! (Source)

This is sometimes referred to as simply the "model" category. Bikini is the 'least' muscular of them all. The objective here is really to bit very fit and toned, with noticeable muscle but not overly defined. The muscle on a bikini competitor is 'softer' than the more muscular categories, such as figure. Bikini competitors also want to look athletic. There is no desire to be "V-shaped" (like getting the popped delts and wide lats in figure/fitness) or "X-shaped" (like getting the large upper body and legs in women's bodybuilding). Unlike the more 'rigid' poses in figure, bikini has more laid back 'model-like' poses such as the hand on the hip. In bikini, their is a goal to be lean but not as lean as figure (so bikini competitors will have slightly more body fat). Personality is judged more in bikini, and there is no muscle separation.

Physique

The incredible Andreia Brazier (I strongly admire her physique!) (Source)

Lastly is physique. Basically, a physique competitor is in the middle of a women's bodybuilder and a figure competitor. They have slightly more defined muscle than figure, but less than women's bodybuilding. If you look at Andreia above, I guarantee the very first thing that pops out to you are her impeccable abs. If you look at a figure competitor, they have a very lean stomach (with noticeable obliques) but not very hard abs like Andreia. Physique is judged on symmetry, muscle definition, proportion, beauty and poise. They also have certain poses that they must do on stage, most that differ from figure and are similar but not identical to women's bodybuilding. They are incredibly lean with almost no body fat. They are not too ripped and will not exactly show muscle fibers and striation, but their musculature is clearly identified and judged upon. 

I hoped this cleared the air for some people who were unsure and I hope if you had no idea what I was even talking about, maybe you learned something! Like I mentioned, I would like to do figure one day but if it so happens that I fit better in bikini or even physique, I won't make up my mind on figure.

This is my passion and I dream about it everyday! Always keep dreaming. :) Happy Wednesday everyone!

Questions: What is your favorite category or one that would would consider competing in? Did you learn anything!

*Also, if anyone has any other post requests on anything fitness related, shoot me an e-mail found in the "Contact Me" section at the top!*

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