The world of bodybuilding competitions has been rising day-by-day. More and more athletes and bodybuilders have been taken part in major bodybuilding championships.
Many bodybuilders like Andrei Deiu, Jeremy Buendia, Jeff Seid, Comso Taylor and many others have been taken their passion of bodybuilding to next level and mark their feet in these six major bodybuilding championship.
So if you want to learn more about the various bodybuilding competitions? Or maybe you want to compete in bodybuilding then you must read this full article to know about the major bodybuilding competitions that are happened globally for all athletes and bodybuilders.
There are 6 main bodybuilding competitions
Let’s understand in detail about all of them.
#1 Bodybuilding Competitions: NATIONAL PHYSIQUE COMMITTEE, NPC
The National Physique Committee, often known as the NPC, is the most well-known amateur bodybuilding competition in the United States. You can compete in bodybuilding, fitness, figure, bikini, and physique competitions as long as you are a member.
If they are successful in this competition, many of the athletes will go on to compete in a professional IFBB tournament later in their careers.
Athletes from the NPC are frequently featured in magazines like as Muscle & Fitness and Muscular Development, to mention a few.
Many amateur-level sports are governed by the Amateur Athletic Union. There is a committee that has direct control over each sport. Jim Manion served as the Physique Committee’s president for the bodybuilding sport.
Manion realized that he needed to leave the AAU in order to properly promote the sport of bodybuilding, and he achieved this by founding the National Physique Committee in the early 1980s.
Men’s physique and Women’s bikini fitness are the NPC’s two most popular categories. Competitors in these two categories frequently show up in advertising campaigns and other periodicals.
Although the NPC competitions are not serious bodybuilding contests, they sponsor several events to honor the accomplishments of the amateur participants.
| NPC MALE CATEGORIES | NPC FEMALE CATEGORIES |
| Men’s Classic Physique | Wellness |
| Men’s Physique | Figure |
| Bikini | |
| Women’s Physique |
#2 Bodybuilding Competitions: INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF BODYBUILDING AND FITNESS, IFBB
IFBB is one of the biggest bodybuilding competitions. The World and Continental Championships are among the major international events that are governed by the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB), a professional sports organization with its headquarters in Las Rozas (Madrid).
Ben and Joe Weider, two Canadian brothers, established the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) in Montreal, Canada, in 1946.
Canada and the United States were the two founding nations. The first president of the IFBB was Mr. Ben Weider from Canada. The inaugural competition organized by the IFBB was the Mr. Olympia in 1965.
The Federation expanded quickly between 1966 and 1970 as a result of Joe and Ben Weider’s international promotion of the group.
The IFBB had directors in more than 50 nations by 1970, and it was present in North America, South America, Australia, Asia, Europe, and Africa.
In Belgrade, Yugoslavia, on September 4, 1970, the IFBB had its first international congress, during which an Executive Council and Constitution were ratified.
Jim Morris established himself as the first openly homosexual IFBB professional bodybuilder in 1971.
The IFBB joined the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), which is now SportAccord, in 1971.
Ben and Joe Weider established the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness, or IFBB, in Montreal in 1946. The two brothers intended to develop the game further.
Today, the IFBB hosts more than 2500 events internationally and has more than 170 national federations. The IFBB Hall of Fame inducts the competitors who have achieved the highest success.
| IFBBÂ MALE CATEGORIES | IFBB FEMALE CATEGORIES |
| Classic Physique | Women Fitness |
| Men’s Physique | Women Body Fitness |
| Bodybuilding | Women’s Bikini Fitness |
| Men’s Fitness | Women’s Wellness Fitness |
| Game Classic Bodybuilding | |
| Classic Bodybuilding |
#3 Bodybuilding Competitions: INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION NETWORK, ICN
An informal, online network called the International Competition Network aims to promote international collaboration amongst bodybuilding competition law enforcement agencies.
It was created in 2001 following the release of a Final Report to the US Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust by the International Competition Policy Advisory Committee (or the ICPAC report, for short).
Increased cooperation with foreign agencies, according to US competition law specialists, might help with worldwide coordination of enforcement and information exchange on competition policy.
It was made up of 132 member nations from 120 competition jurisdictions that were solely focused on enforcing international bodybuilding competition.
| ICN MALE CATEGORIES | ICN FEMALE CATEGORIES |
| Bodybuilding | Bikini Model |
| Fitness Model | Ms. Runway |
| Men’s Physique | Fitness Model |
| Angels | |
| Swimwear | |
| Sports Model |
#4 Bodybuilding Competitions: WORLD BEAUTY FITNESS AND FASHION, WBFF
The World Beauty, Fitness, and Fashion organization was started by professional athlete Paul Dillett. This bodybuilding organization was founded by a professional athlete, and as a result, it gives competitors the chance to develop via marketing possibilities in the fields of music, fashion, beauty, and fitness.
That’s not all, though. Additionally, they encourage their partners’ efforts to promote fashion, entertainment, and good health.
Athletes benefit from sponsorships and marketing possibilities thanks to their connections, and the competitions resemble fitness exhibitions featuring the top male and female muscular models.
To advance bodybuilding competitions, the WBFF has been increasing industry standards with professionalism and integrity. They don’t want to be restricted to becoming a gym.
| WBFF MALE CATEGORIES | WBFF FEMALE CATEGORIES |
| Muscle Model | Diva Bikini Model |
| Male Fitness Model | Diva Figure Model |
| Transformation Division | Diva Fitness Model |
#5 Bodybuilding Competitions: NATIONAL AMATEUR BODY-BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION, NABBA
The Health & Strength League established the National Amateur Body-Builders’ Association, or NABBA, in 1950 to encourage bodybuilding.
The popularity of the Mr. Universe and subsequently Ms. Universe competitions piqued the curiosity of contestants from all over the world, despite the fact that the initial goal was to develop physique competitions in the United Kingdom.
Currently, NABBA International has ties with almost 60 different nations.
The founding of NABBA as an organization dates back to 1898, when Hopton Hadley, an English bicycle enthusiast, and American businessman Bernarr Macfadden teamed together to promote what would later become the first physical culture magazine.
Although the magazine’s initial name is unclear, it swiftly acquired its current name after Macfadden sold his ownership to Hadley in 1898.
Before being sold, Health & Strength Magazine was the NABBA’s official publication for many years. Despite using the name, the current Health & Strength periodical is not at all like the first magazine.
To encourage physical culture, the Health & Strength League was established in 1906. Within a few years, it had thousands of members across the United Kingdom.
One of the first organizations dedicated to competitive bodybuilding was founded in 1948 and is known as the National Amateur Bodybuilders’ Association, or NABBA. To compete for the title of Mr. and Ms. Universe, contestants travel from all over the world. The NABBA included legends like Reg Park, Bill Pearl, and Arnold Schwarzenegger who are competing in NABBA.
| NABBA MALE CATEGORIES | NABBA FEMALE CATEGORIES |
| Men’s Sports Shorts | Miss Bikini |
| Men’s Bodybuilding | Miss Toned Figure |
| Miss Athletic Figure | |
| Miss Trained Figure |
#6 Bodybuilding Competitions: THE AUSTRALIAN NATURAL BODYBUILDING FEDERATION, ANB
Robert Powel founded the Australian Natural Bodybuilding Federation (ANB) in 1983. His love of strength training was unwavering. This group wants to improve the standards for fitness, health, and bodybuilding.
Australian Natural Bodybuilding Federation provides sponsorships and marketing possibilities as a kind of support for the athletes.
Providing the athletes the chance to create their own legacies by giving them the most exposure possible through their concerts is one of Australian Natural Bodybuilding Federation’s main goals.
| ANB MALE CATEGORIES | ANB FEMALE CATEGORIES |
| Fitness Model | Bikini Model |
| Physique Model | Fitness Model |
| Bodybuilding | Swimsuit International |
| Theme Wear | |
| Female Figure | |
| Female Physique |
Words From Us
When trying to pick the best bodybuilding category and competition, you’ll want to consider the following factors:
Your physique. When selecting a division, it’s crucial to consider your body type, especially if you have little time to prepare. However, this does not mean that you may only compete in that division since your genetics favor that division.
You can choose whichever division you choose as long as you have enough time to prepare.
How much time can you dedicate? Daily dedication is needed for training, diet, posing practice, attire, and look. Training for a bikini competition is simpler than for a physique or fitness competition since each category takes a different amount of dedication.
Bodybuilders must devote the greatest time to practice sessions and further training.
1Do you like to perform? A category with more possibilities for posing may be the best fit for you if you enjoy being in the limelight. You have the option to conduct a regimen regardless of your figure or shape.
It requires a tremendous degree of dedication to decide to participate in any bodybuilding competition. Making the appropriate choice requires awareness of your objectives, degree of dedication, and capabilities.
Answers You Want Know
1. How can I find out more information about the competition dates and locations?
You can find out more information about the competition dates and locations by checking the website or social media pages of the competitions. In some cases, you may be able to register for the events through an online form. Additionally, you can read bodybuilding magazines or follow professional bodybuilders on social media to get information about upcoming competitions.
2. Which bodybuilding muscles are most visible during a competition?
The abdominals are the most visible bodybuilding muscles during a competition as they’re often on display when someone is posing. This includes bodybuilder’s midsection (stomach, lower abs, and obliques), as well as their chest, shoulders, and triceps. The next most visible muscles group during a bodybuilding competition are the legs – mainly due to leg curls and squats. Additionally, the legs can also be seen in action when bodybuilders are doing standing calf raises or extensions.
3. Are there any tricks or hidden tactics that competitors use to win?
There are definitely techniques that competitors use to win competitions. However, the most important thing you can do is train hard and eats a balanced diet. By doing this, you’ll be in good shape to compete and less likely to experience injuries. In addition, it’s important to stay hydrated during events – if you’re not hydrated, your body will begin to breakdown proteins and muscle tissue, which will eventually lead to fatigue. And if you’re already fatigued, you’re going to have a harder time performing at your best. Additionally, always make sure to follow all safety guidelines set by the event organisers. If there are any risks associated with the event, make sure to take them into account before participating. Doing so will not only protect you, but also those who are cheering for you.
4. How do I qualify to compete in a bodybuilding competition?
There are several ways to qualify for a bodybuilding competition. Local or national bodybuilding competitions are the most common way to compete. To qualify, you must first register and pay the entry fee. Then, you must prove your fitness by competing in a physique contest. This means you’ll have to take part in physique contests that have specific bodybuilding parameters, such as muscle mass and symmetry. Once you’ve qualified, it’s important that you aim to get as fit as possible before entering any competitive event. This way, you’ll have more of a chance of placing high and winning prizes. If you want to know more about bodybuilding competitions or qualifiers, be sure to check out bodybuilding.com or look online for bodybuilding-specific websites.
