It's Official - NPC Major Rule Changes Announced for 2009

Will having a bikini division finally allow for more muscular, hardcore physiques in "figure"? We can only hope.

As BW previously announced, the one piece posing suit judging round for both figure and fitness has been eliminated in the NPC. Here are the rest of the official changes, based on the NPC Board of Governor's meeting at Nationals in Atlanta, including a description of the new bikini division.

November 23, 2008

Special for Bodybuilding Weekly

Discuss these rule changes in our forums.

The following rule changes (or non-changes as applicable) have been officially announced to Bodybuilding Weekly, based on the results of voting during the National Physique Committee (NPC) Board of Governor's meeting at the NPC National Championships in Atlanta last weekend.  Most of the modifications are designed to increase participation and revenues for the NPC during difficult economic times, although some will also benefit competitors.

(1)  The cost of NPC membership, and receipt of an NPC card, will increase to $85 per year.  Result:  Increase in revenues to the NPC national office.  This is still one of the lower costs of competing so the bump up is unlikely to change athlete participation.

(2)  After much debate, it is expected that the height classes for figure will remain as they were in 2008.  The 2008 height classes seemed to result in fewer competitors in classes A and F, but the differentials were not big enough to cause major concern.  Result:  No change, and we agree.  The height classes were better in 2008 than in 2007.

(3)  As previously announced on Bodybuilding Weekly, the one piece posing suit round has been eliminated for both NPC fitness and NPC figure.  The one piece round is expected to remain at the IFBB professional level.  Result:  See our list of winners and losers in the article where we announced the change a few weeks ago.

As a result of this, figure will now have only one judging round while fitness judging will be split 50-50 between the two piece round and the routines.

(4)  Competitors will now need to qualify for national level shows more frequently.  Instead of being qualified for two full years, qualifications will now be valid for one year.  Because NQ status is based on a calendar year, you will be qualified for the rest of the year during which you qualify, plus one more full year.  Qualification may still be two years for the USA Championships and Nationals, but further clarification is necessary.

If you qualified in 2007 you will be "grandfathered," meaning your qualification will be good until December 31, 2009.

Result:  More competitors competing at the state and local level, money for local promoters, and possibly lower participation at the national level.  Be sure to check NPCschedule.com all year long so you know which shows in your area are national qualifiers, and to allow yourself time to requalify if necessary.

(5)  There will be no more "crossover qualifications."  Your qualification will be good for only the division in which you qualified.  So if you qualified in figure you can compete in figure at nationals, not in any other division (fitness, bodybuilding or bikini).  You can qualify for different divisions at different shows but you can pick only one in which to compete at any given national show.

The ability to cross over at state and locatl shows is left to the discretion of the district chairperson.

If a competitor qualifies as a Masters competition, they are limited to competing in the masters divisions.

(6)  A much needed additional pro card has been added for women's bodybuilding, to the second place overall finisher at the USA Championships.

(7)  The new "Bikini" division is now a reality, for better or for worse.  It will have the same height classes as figure (see the official rules as classification varies depending on the number of classes at each show).  Bikini competitors may not crossover into any other division at the same event.  Bikini competitors will wear two piece posing suits, which may or may not be similar to a "figure" two piece suit.  Suit bottoms must be v-shaped and no thongs will be permitted.  Jewelry is allowed and heels may or may not be the clear acrylic (any color of heels allowed). 

Bikini competitors will walk to the center of the stage individually, do a single turn (not four poses like in figure), then walk to stage right.  All competitors will be brought to the center line and compared facing front and back only (no quarter turns).  The judges will be scoring based on balance, shape and overall physical appearance including poise, complexion, skin tone and overall presentation. Competitors are not to "pose" as in figure with shoulder blades pulled apart and muscles tight.  The top 5 in each height class will qualify for nationals at an NPC national qualifying (NQ) event.  NPCschedule.com will provide a list of all state and local shows that will be including a bikini division.

Result:  An entire new division will result in more revenues for promoters, and will directly challenge other physique federations that have existing bikini divisions.  With a new competitive outlet for those athletes who prefer to compete with less muscularity or with a softer look, we are hoping that there will be less "watering down" of the figure division - that means more substantive muscle and better conditioning in figure, for athletes who prefer to look that way.  The end results remain to be seen.

If you have any questions about any of these rules please do not hesitate to Contact Us.