INBF FIGURE RULES

Most INBF contests have added the "Figure" division since the division's inception in 2002. Figure is judged based on one round of prejudging, where competitors will be compared while wearing a two-piece swimsuit and high-heel shoes.

• Comparisons will be made in the standard quarter-turns of the competitors. Judging will reward toned muscularity, relative leanness, overall symmetry, facial beauty (makeup, hair, etc.), stage presence, poise, elegance and an overall fit look. There is no fitness demonstration, and this is not a bodybuilding competition (there are no mandatory "poses" other than the quarter-turns).
• The quarter-turns will examine all ladies in the same positioning to the judges. In this regard, the "face front" command will require both feet together, with toes and hips facing the judges. Quarter-turns will be made to the right in four steps, until the contestants are again facing front. The Head Judge may ask for movement among the competitors to see different people together in different locations onstage.
• All competitors will perform a stage walk in their swimsuits at both the prejudging and the night show. In the case of high athlete turnout, however, it is up to the promoter's discretion whether the walk will take place at prejudging. The walk will be conducted in a manner according to the promoter's site restrictions, but in accordance with INBF rules. Competitors will enter stage right, walk to the center stage, do a complete turn; walk to stage left and do another complete turn; walk all the way over to stage right for one more turn and then exit. The turns are designed to allow contestants to show themselves to the judges and exhibit stage presence that enhances their presentation. However, overly exaggerated displays or taking excessive time onstage will be scored down.
• The two-piece swimsuit must be in good taste; thongs or T-back bottoms are not allowed. The suit must be a solid color (no bold patterns allowed), but may be adorned with rhinestones, sparkles, sequins, etc. for added effect. There is no one-piece swimsuit round in INBF competition. Body jewelry (piercing) is allowed, so long as it is not offensive. Other jewelry (earrings, necklace, bracelets) may be worn, but should not obscure the physique or be in poor taste.
• The INBF is looking to reward women who have fit, toned physiques, yet who are not necessarily proficient in gymnastics or another performance art. To find out which shows carry the Figure class, check out the "Coming Events" in every issue of Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness, or log onto inbf.net. You can also e-mail Charlie Carollo, INBF Chairman, at inbf@epix.net for contest schedule information.

FIGURE STANCES:

The INBF Figure Rules require that competitors use the following stance positions during prejudging of any INBF Figure event.

From the Front:
Heels must be together and in line, without either foot ahead of the other toward the front. Heels cannot be spread wider than 2-3 inches apart. The hips MUST face the judges and the arms must remain to the sides (although they shouldn't touch the sides or be exaggerated spread wide).

Toes must face the judges, but competitors can angle their toes out SLIGHTLY if it helps to accentuate their thigh presentation. The angle of outward extension cannot exceed 15 degrees with either foot! (However, this is not always the most flattering thing, so caution should be exhibited.) Any exaggeration of this ruling will be corrected by the head judge. In addition, the head judge may insist on both feet to be completely touching together, so be prepared in your stance in case that is requested.

From the Side(s):
A slight turn of 35 degrees (upper body only) is acceptable, so the rear shoulder can be seen, but nothing exaggerated. The hips must face the side of the stage. The eyes must face the side of the stage. Toes must also face the side of the stage, with both feet flat. The feet can be offset only half the distance of the foot (front or back foot offset). Long hair should be pushed back behind the front shoulder so it doesn't obscure the judges' view.

The front and rear hands must not be placed on the body, and should hang freely. However the head judge may request the side stance with the hand farthest from the judges to be placed on the hip, so be prepared if this is asked.

From the Rear:
This is pretty much the same position as from the front. Both feet must be together or very close (heels within 2-3 inches of each other). The toes cannot be spread wide apart. The feet cannot be offset to any degree (i.e., one in front of the other).
Competitors should brush their hair to one side when they turn to the rear so their back can be seen (if they have long hair). But they cannot twist to the side or put a hand on their hip, etc. Arms must be at the sides with the hands hanging freely, with the back (lats) spread wide to show upper body symmetry.

INBF MS. FIT BODY
RULES & POSES

COMPETITION ATTIRE:

• Two-piece bikini swimsuit (may have sequins or other adornments, but should be single colored).
• High heeled shoes
• Jewelry permitted

TWO ROUNDS OF JUDGEMENT

• Symmetry (Beauty) Quarter Turns (Four Sides)
• Fit Body Posing (Five Poses)
• There is NO Posing Routine Round. At night show, competitors will come out as a group, go through their quarter-turns and then poses together, then the awards will be presented.

SYMMETRY ROUND:

Face Front:
Heels together, toes facing forward. Lats spread, arms in semi-relaxed position at sides.

Side Pose- Feet offset slightly (foot of choice either with toes shifted forward by three inches or back by three inches; feet still must be beside one another to some extent). Hips toward the side of the stage, face toward side of the stage. Upper body turned toward the judge no more than 30 degrees.

Rear Pose- (Facing curtain)- heels together, toes facing the curtain. Lats spread, arms in semi-relaxed position at sides.

FIT POSES:

Front Double Biceps: One leg should be shifted toward the side (may also be crossed in front of the opposite leg), with both arms up in double-biceps pose. Hands must be open in feminine pose.

Side Chest: (side of choice)- Arm facing the judges is bent at 90 degrees, with the back arm reached across the torso to grasp the bent arm wrist. The bent arm must have an open hand in feminine style. One leg should be shifted back to tighten the calf, or forward to show the leg lines.

Side Triceps (side of choice)- Arm facing the judges should be extended straight down at the side. The rear arm should be bent with that hand on the hip. (The hands are not clutched behind the back). One leg should be shifted back to tighten the calf. Hands should be open (not in fists).

Rear Double Biceps- (hands open)- One leg shifted toward the side, with the calf tightened. Both arms are lifted up in double-biceps pose. Hands must be open in feminine pose.

Front Abdominal Pose- (one or both hands overhead)- One leg must be extended toward the judges or to the side. Hands can be positioned either together behind the head, or with one hand behind the head and the opposite one positioned on the hip.

JUDGING CRITERIA:

The Ms. Fit Body judges the competitors based on their physical symmetry (in the quarter turns), facial beauty, grooming (make up, hair), costume, stage presence, muscle tone and shape (in the five poses) and overall fit look. This is not a hardcore bodybuilding competition, but it is also not a swimwear contest. The desired look is for muscle tone, symmetrical shape, beauty and the appearance of health and fitness.

INBF BEST BODY
SWIMSUIT CONTEST

The Best Body Swimsuit Contest is a swimsuit/modeling contest designed to find the most marketable, most beautiful and most fit swimsuit models that represent the ideal for the Best Body online magazine (bestbodymagazine.com), for Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness newsstand magazine and also for the WNBF (or INBF on amateur basis). The competition is judged based on one round of prejudging, where competitors will be compared while wearing a two-piece bikini swimsuit and high-heel shoes. Comparisons will be made in standard quarter-turns of the competitors (front, side, back, side). Judging will reward body shape, facial beauty, stage presence, poise, elegance and an overall fit, toned look. There is no fitness demonstration, and this is not a bodybuilding competition (there are no "poses"). It is also not a figure contest that rewards extra leanness and muscle tone.

The quarter-turns will examine all competitors from four angles. The competitors will be asked to "stand comfortably" in the quarter-turns, at which time they will be allowed to twist their lower body, angle or "T" the feet, or otherwise modify the basic stances to enhance their presentation. The back stance should be with heels together and the back facing the judges directly.

The Head Judge may ask for specific quarter-turn stances will examine all ladies in the same positioning to the judges. In this regard, the "face front" command will require both feet together, with toes and hips facing the judges. Quarter-turns will be made to the right in four steps, until the contestants are again facing front. The Head Judge may ask for movement among the competitors to see different people together in different locations onstage. However, this more "regimented" stance presentation is by request of the Head Judge only (to enhance judging process).

All competitors will perform a stage walk in their swimsuits at both the prejudging and the night show. In the case of high athlete turnout, however, it is up to the promoter's discretion whether the walk will take place only at prejudging.

The walk will be conducted in a manner according to the promoter's site restrictions, but in accordance with WNBF rules. Competitors will enter stage left, walk to the center stage and then move forward to the center of the taped line. There they will do a complete turn; walk to stage right and do two alternating side stances; walk all the way over to stage right for two more side turn stances; and then exit. The turns are designed to allow contestants to show themselves to the judges and exhibit stage presence that enhances their presentation. However, overly exaggerated displays or taking excessive time onstage will be scored down.

The two-piece swimsuit must be in good taste; thongs or T-back bottoms are not allowed. The suit can be a solid color, but bold patterns will be allowed. The suits may be adorned with rhinestones, sparkles, sequins, etc. for added effect. There is no one-piece swimsuit round in WNBF competition. Body jewelry (piercing) is allowed, so long as it is not offensive. Other jewelry (earrings, necklace, bracelets) may be worn, but should not obscure the physique or be in poor taste.

Two segments will be judged simultaneously:
"Beauty/Stage Presence" and "Body Shape/Symmetry." The judges will score both categories based on the individual model walks and the side-by-side group comparisons. Scoring will be on a placement system (first to last) in each category, with the judges then using those scores to assess a final placement for all the swimsuit models (first to last).

Best Body online magazine is looking for the next great swimsuit/fitness model. The contest will reward women who have fit, toned bodies, yet who are not necessarily overly muscular or defined. It is a beauty contest with a bit of a fitness edge to it.

Note:
Competitors may enter both the Best Body Swimsuit Contest and the INBF Naturalmania Nationals Figure Contest (both held in the same co-promotion event on the same day) if they so wish. The Best Body Swimsuit Contest is a "softer" look than competitive Figure, and competitors should be aware of the judging differences.

FRONT STANCE

Upper body should face the judge, with one hand on hip (competitor's choice of hand) and the other at the side. The hips can face slightly to the side, with one knee bent and turned in front of the other one. The twist can be to whatever side the competitor desires. The rules encourage individuality to have ladies look their best.

SIDE STANCE

The hand farthest from the judges should be on the hip. The front arm should be down at the side. The front leg may be bent slightly with the heel lifted. Competitors are allowed to turn their heads to face the judges.

BACK STANCE

Heels should be together or within 2 inches. Arms are at the sides. However, one hand can be placed on the hip (of choice) unless the Head Judge specifically states that both arms must be at the sides.

HEAD JUDGING VARIATIONS

The Head Judge may ask for more strict stances if he/she believes this to be necessary to enhance the judging process. These stance rules would be similar as to that of Figure.