New Classic Physique Division

As the sport of bodybuilding evolves and continues to grow, it’s shaping up to be something that almost anybody who hits the gym and diets right can compete in. There’s now a division inspiring people of almost every body type to hit the stage and realize their competitive goals. With the collaborative efforts of Jim Manion, J.M. Manion, Tyler Manion and Tony Blinn, a few weeks ago on September 8, 2015, the IFFB Pro League and NPC President Jim Manion announced the creation of a new division called Classic Physique.

With Men’s Physique competitors getting larger and more ripped with every passing contest, the judging criteria was slowly moving away from what it was originally intended to be and rewarding larger, more muscular physiques. The Men’s Physique Division was intended for more athletically built or fit contestants who display proper shape and symmetry combined with muscularity and overall condition. As it’s not a bodybuilding contest, extreme muscularity would be marked down. The physiques that are currently hitting the stage and placing well are those on the borderline of extremely muscular. There’s actually nothing wrong with that; it’s just not what the Men’s Physique Division was intended to be.

The new Classic Physique Division will bridge the gap between Men’s Bodybuilding and Men’s Physique. According to the NPC’s news release, Classic Physique will be for competitors who want to present more muscular size than is currently acceptable for Men’s Physique, but not as extreme as the current standards for Bodybuilding. Muscle and Fitness quotes Jim Manion as saying, “Classic Physique is for guys who want to take their muscularity and size beyond the limits of Men’s Physique, but not quite to the extremes of Bodybuilding … Classic Physique will highlight proportion, symmetry, pleasing lines, and a small waist. In short, the focus will be on aesthetic qualities in harmony with muscularity and condition.”

In time, there will be noticeable physical differences between the two divisions. But right off the start, Classic Physique competitors won’t wear board shorts nor will they wear the classic bodybuilding posing trunks. Instead, they’ll be required to wear black spandex shorts similar to the image below. So if you’re crossing over from Men’s Physique, don’t skip leg day if you plan on competing in this division!

Unlike Men’s Physique, Classic Physique will be divided into three main height categories (A, B and C) with corresponding weight requirements. For example, a male that is 5'4" can’t exceed 155 pounds. In time, this may be further streamlined and broken down into more categories such as a D, E or F. See below for the complete breakdown of height to weight ratios for 2016.

The judging will consist of quarter turns and five mandatory poses:

1. Front Double Biceps
2. Side Chest
3. Back Double Biceps
4. Abdominals and Thighs
5. Favorite Classic Pose (NO MOST MUSCULAR!)

The judging will be based on muscularity and body composition. Judges will be looking for competitors who display muscular size, symmetry, balance, and proportion with an emphasis on definition and condition. The ideal physique will display an aesthetic appearance highlighted by a small waist.

The finals portion is straightforward, including a 60-second posing routine, a Confirmation Round if needed, and a Posedown for the overall title.

The new Classic Physique Division will also have a division introduced at the 2016 Olympia with qualification competitions beginning in 2016. IFBB pros can cross over into this new division, and depending on how many IFBB pro qualification contests there are, there may be invitations to compete in this division at the Olympia as well. Again, depending on how many IFBB pro qualification contests there are in 2016, it’s undecided whether the top two or three placings will qualify to compete at the Olympia.

As with any new introduction, there may be slight changes as the division grows and progresses. It’s going to be interesting to see who emerges as the inaugural champ and who will cross over from Men’s Physique and likewise from Men’s Bodybuilding to the new division that is Classic Physique. What I think we can all agree on is that this is a great addition to the lineup!