NPC Eliminating One Piece Posing Suits for Fitness and Figure

Tampa-based IFBB Pro Amy Thompson looking gorgeous in her one piece suit

The National Physique Committee (NPC) is eliminating the one piece posing suit round for both figure and fitness contests beginning in 2009.

November 6, 2008

Special for Bodybuilding Weekly

Update November 23rd:  See all the 2009 NPC rule changes here. 

The National Physique Committee (NPC)  is eliminating the one piece posing suit round for both figure and fitness contests beginning in 2009.  The change is expected to take place *after* the National Figure championships in Atlanta later this month, and will be officially announced later in the year.

With NPC figure eliminated from the Ironman contest in California in late January, we can expect to see "one-piece free" shows beginning in late February 2009.  Visit NPCschedule.com later this month for the 2009 amateur schedule.   

While the one piece suit allowed for a different and appealing way to showcase outstanding figure lines on stage, most competitors will likely appreciate the elimination of the expense for one piece suits during an economic recession.  One piece suits typically cost more than two piece suits because of the increased surface area, and the cost of crystals or stones to cover that additional cloth.

So who are the winners and losers in this decision?  We lay it out below.  And check out BW in the coming months as we pay tribute to the best amateur one piece "looks" over the past few years.

Winners:

- Amateur figure and fitness competitors who need to buy posing suits.
- Promoters who will likely see an increase in entries and fees, as competitors can afford to compete more often.
- Trainers and assistants who no longer have to deal with suit changes on site, fixing tans, etc.
- Creativity for two piece suits - load 'em up, the sky is the limit!
- Those of us who cover shows have one less round to report and can have more fun on site!!

Losers:

- Competitors who own one piece suits and will see re-sale values plummet.
- Suit makers will gain two piece sales but this is not likely to offset the generally higher revenue from the one piece suits.