IPE - International Pro Elite

Pro Bodybuilding

Overview
Men’s Bodybuilding category takes 4 elements into account. Symmetry, muscularity, conditioning and presentation. It's not the largest, most muscular who wins, but the competitor who has the best symmetry, balance and proportion of both muscularity and conditioning and the ability to display in group comparisons.

Men will compete in bodybuilding posing trunks of any color, with no shirt or shoes. No thongs. All suits must be in good taste. Athletes will be warned about improper suits and are advised to contact show promoter if you are concerned your suit does not meet specifications. No jewelry or body accessories are permitted (except for wedding rings).
Crossovers are not allowed in other Pro Devisions in the same show.
Each competitor must be an active member of the IPE.
Bodybuilding divisions are weight based and split according to competitor numbers.
The use of performance-enhancing substances is never permitted. All competitors must successfully pass a polygraph screen prior to competition.

Judging Criteria
Symmetry and muscularity.
A balanced proportioned physique top to bottom, front to back, side to side.
Muscle mass, shape.
Conditioning, hardness, separation.
How well the competitor executes posing to create symmetrical harmony in group comparisions.
Stage presentation, tan, suit choice, grooming, posture.

Symmetry refers to balance, proportion and the structural harmony of the physique.

Muscularity refers to the size and shape of the muscles. There should be a degree of separation, definition, and detail in all angles. Muscularity is determined by the extent of development in relation to the size of the skeletal structure.
Body fat retention and water retention are conditions that should subtract from an athlete’s degree of perfection in this round.

Presentation is the effectiveness of display of the competitor’s most favorable development, including posing ability and stage presence. Skin quality, evenness of tone, suit choice, and grooming are also considered. The posing technique used in individual poses, along with the smoothness of transition between these are factors included in the judgment of presentation.

Group Comparisons
Each Pro, individually, will be required to hit 3 poses (and no more) of their choice, center stage, prior to group comparisons.
These poses should be specific to the category and designed to highlight the competitor's physique and presentation/posing ability for the judges.
The head judge will then direct the competitor to line up in the back of the stage to be ready for group comparisons.
Each class is then brought to front center stage and is guided through quarter turns as a group by the head judge, to display their physique from front, side and back.

Mandatory Poses
The head judge will instruct you to complete mandatory (muscularity) poses. You may be asked to do these several times and out of order later in the round.

Front Double Biceps
Front Lat Spread
Left Side Chest
Left Side Triceps
Rear Double Biceps -heel spiked
Rear Lat Spread -heel spiked
Right Side Chest
Right Side Triceps
Abs -Hands behind head, leg extended
Single Quadriceps -Hands on hips, flex and rotate right then left leg
Crab Most Muscular
Optional Poses
Hamstrings
Double Calf Raise
Side Serratus

Overall Comparisons:
If the division has more than one class, the winners of each class will compete for an overall title. Overall comparisons are conducted in the same manner as judging.

Individual Routine:
Competitors individually perform a up to 90-second posing routine to music. The individual routine is not factored into scoring but does count toward consideration for Best Poser award when offered.

Sportsmanship
Remember, you are not alone on stage. Good sportsmanship is important. It makes competitions more enjoyable for everyone. While winning might feel like the most important thing during competitions, good sportsmanship teaches competitors how to be gracious and respectful towards others. If you're disappointed with a placement, show good sportsmanship. Consider asking the judges for feedback after the show. Everyone worked hard. Don't allow poor sportsmanship to ruin the event for others. Sportsmanship also applies to an audience, including viewers and coaches. Competitors or coaches who exhibit what IPE/NANBF deems as poor sportsmanship at the event or on social media are subject to disqualification and may be banned from future IPE/NANBF events.

Coach Code of Conduct

Coaches are to refrain from using threatening or foul language while at IPE/NANBF events.
Coaches are not permitted to sit in the row of seats located directly behind the judging table.
Coaches cannot approach the judging table at any point before or during prejudging.
Coaches are responsible for reading and understanding IPE/NANBF Guidelines & Criteria before registering a client in an IPE/NANBF show.
Coaches are not to poach or solicit the clients of other coaches while attending IPE/NANBF events.
Marketing of other organizations' events is strictly prohibited.
Coaches who are caught doing any of the above will be escorted out of the venue without a refund. Coaches are to model professionalism and sportsmanship.

SCORING AND TIE-BREAKERS

	7 judges are required for Pro events.
	Each judge takes all criteria for a category into account and assigns one overall score for each contestant in the form of rank during the group comparison rounds.
	A highest and lowest rank for each competitor is dropped as a safeguard against human error and/or bias, whether intentional or on a subconscious level.
	The remaining judges' placements are summed, and the competitor with the lowest sum total receives 1st place in the class. Second lowest sum receives 2nd place, and so on.
	In cases of a tie, competitors ranked higher by the majority of all judges are awarded the higher placements.

Become a IPE judge

Are you a CURRENT NANBF JUDGE looking to take your love of judging to the next level? Become an IPE judge!
To become a judge, you will serve as a test judge for at least two competitions. If you score 90% or better of the total points, as compared to the official judging panel, at both competitions, you will be certified as an IPE judge.
For this certification to remain active, you must judge at least one time per year.
To find out more on becoming a judge, email: info@ipeproelite