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INTERNATIONAL FITNESS & B O D Y B U I L D I N G FEDERATION

IFBB FEDERATION RULES

SECTION 3: MEN’S CLASSIC BODYBUILDING
and
GAMES CLASSIC BODYBUILDING

2024 EDITION

IFBB FEDERATION
HEADQUARTERS:
Calle Dublin No. 39-I, 28232 Las Rozas, Madrid, Spain
Tel: +34 91 535 2819
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.ifbb.com
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SECTION 3: MEN’S CLASSIC BODYBUILDING

Article 1: Introduction 3
Article 2: Responsibilities of Organizers to Athletes and Delegates 3
Article 3: Categories 4
Article 4: Rounds 7
Article 5: Prejudging: Elimination Round 7
Article 6: Posing Attire for All Rounds 7
Article 7: Prejudging: Assessing and Scoring of the Elimination Round 8
Article 8: Prejudging: Presentation of Round 1 ( Comparisons in
Mandatory Poses) 9
Article 9: Prejudging: Scoring of Round 1 10
Article 10: Assessing of the Elimination Round, Round 1 and Round 2
(Comparisons in Mandatory Poses) 10
Article 11: Finals 11
Article 12: Finals: Presentation of Round 2 (Mandatory Poses and Posedown) 11
Article 13: Finals: Scoring of Round 2 12
Article 14: Finals: Assessing of Round 2 12
Article 15: Finals: Presentation of Round 3 (Posing Routines) 12
Article 16: Finals: Scoring of Round 3 12
Article 17: Finals: Assessing of Round 3 13
Article 18: Finals: The Awarding Ceremony 13
Article 19: Finals: Overall Category and Award 14
Article 20: Finals: Teams Classification Results and Awards 14
Appendix 1: Detailed Description of the Seven Mandatory Poses 15
Appendix 2: Pictures of all Mandatory Poses 17
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Article 1 - Introduction
Men’s Classic Bodybuilding was officially recognized as a new sport discipline by the
IFBB Executive Council and IFBB Congress on November 27, 2005 (Shanghai, China).
Classic Bodybuilding responds to the increasing worldwide demand for competitions for
Men’s who prefer, unlike today’s current bodybuilders, to develop a less muscular, yet
athletic and aesthetically pleasing physique.

Men’s Games Classic Bodybuilding was officially recognized as a new sport discipline
by the IFBB Executive Council and IFBB Congress on November 04, 2016 (Benidorm,
Spain). It is intended for less muscular Men’s, with smaller bodyweight limits, what is the
only difference compared to Classic Bodybuilding.

General:
Whenever possible, all the IFBB World Championships, including men, women, juniors,
seniors and masters as well as the IFBB Annual Congress should be organized together
as one big international event.

The IFBB Rules for Men’s Classic Bodybuilding consist of regulations, policies, directives
and decisions intended to guide the IFBB and its Members in the administration of the
sport of Men’s Classic Bodybuilding.

1.1 Rules:
Certain administrative and technical rules that appear in Section 1: General Rules are the
same for Men’s Classic Bodybuilding and therefore, are not repeated in this section.

Article 2 – Responsibilities of Organizers to Athletes and Delegates

2.1 Responsibilities
The Organizer of a World Championships will undertake to cover the cost of double-
occupancy accommodations and meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) for athletes and
delegates as follows:

1. World Bodybuilding Championships and IFBB International Congress (included

Men’s Bodybuilding, Men’s Classic Bodybuilding, Men’s Classic Physique, Men’s
Games Classic Bodybuilding, Men’s Physique, Muscular Men’s Physique):
For five days (fourth nights) according to the following scale:

a. Three or more competitors - Two delegates

b. One or two competitors - One delegate

Note 1: A maximum allowable number of participating competitors per National

Federation is unlimited.
Note 2: Delegates without athletes will have to pay for the Full Package Special Rate.
Note 3: Upon agreement between the IFBB and the Organizer, one additional
category may be opened for competition.

2. World Juniors Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships:

For four days (three nights) according to the following scale:

a. Three or more competitors - Two delegates

b. One or two competitors - One delegate
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Note 1: A maximum allowable number of participating competitors per National

Federation is unlimited.
Note 2: Delegates without athletes, extra delegates and supporters will have to pay for
the Full Package Special Rate.
Note 3: Upon agreement between the IFBB and the Organizer, one additional category
may be opened for competition.

3. World Masters Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships:

For four days (three nights) according to the following scale:

a. Three or more competitors - Two delegates

b. One or two competitors - One delegate

Note 1: A maximum allowable number of participating competitors per National

Federation is unlimited.
Note 2: Delegates without athletes, extra delegates and supporters will have to pay for
the Full Package Special Rate.
Note 3: Upon agreement between the IFBB and the Organizer, one additional category
may be opened for competition.

Article 3 - Categories
3.1 There are five categories in Senior Men’s Classic Bodybuilding, currently as
follows:

a. Class A: Up to & incl. 168 cm:

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) + 0 [kg]

b. Class B: Up to & incl. 171 cm:

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) + 2 [kg]

c. Class C: Up to & incl. 175 cm:

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100 ) + 4 [kg]

d. Class D: Up to & incl. 180 cm:

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) + 7 [kg]

e. Class E: Over 180 cm:

a) over 180 cm up to & incl. 188 cm:
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 9 [kg]

b) over 188 cm up to & incl. 196 cm:

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 11 [kg]

c) over 196 cm:

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 13 [kg]

Note 1: All of the above mentioned competitors will participate in the “Over 180 cm”
category.

3.2 There are the following categories in Junior Men’s Classic Bodybuilding world-level
competitions:

- 16 to 20 years of age inclusive:

a. One open category

- 21 to 23 years of age inclusive:

a. One open category
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Both groups with the following bodyweight limitations:

Up to & incl. 168 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) + 0 [kg]

Up to & incl. 171 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) + 1 [kg]

Up to & incl. 175 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) + 2 [kg]

Up to & incl. 180 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) + 4 [kg]

Up to & incl. 188 cm:

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 5 [kg]

Up to & incl. 196 cm:

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 6 [kg]

Over 196 cm:

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 7 [kg]

3.3 There are three categories in Master Men’s Classic Bodybuilding world-level
competition, currently as follows:

- 40 to 44 years of age inclusive:

a. One open category.

- 45 to 49 years of age inclusive:

a. One open category.

- 50 years of age and over:

a. One open category

Note 1: Bodyweight limits for master men’s classic bodybuilding competitors are the same
like for senior classic bodybuilders (Point 3.1)

3.4 There are two categories in Men’s Games Classic Bodybuilding world level
competition, currently as follows:

a. Up to & incl. 175 cm

b. Over 175 cm

With the following bodyweight limitations:

Up to & incl. 162 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) – 2 [kg]

Up to & incl. 165 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) – 1 [kg]

Up to & incl. 168 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) + 0 [kg]

Up to & incl. 171 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) + 1 [kg]
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Up to & incl. 175 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) + 2 [kg]
Up to & incl. 180 cm
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) + 4 [kg]

Up to & incl. 188 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) + 5 [kg]

Up to & incl. 196 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) + 6 [kg]

Over 196 cm:

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) + 7 [kg]

3.5 There are the following categories in Junior Men’s Games Classic Bodybuilding
world-level competitions:

- 16 to 20 years of age inclusive:

a. One open category

- 21 to 23 years of age inclusive:

a. One open category

Both groups with the following bodyweight limitations:

Up to & incl. 162 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) - 3 [kg]

Up to & incl. 165 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) - 2 [kg]

Up to & incl. 168 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) - 1 [kg]

Up to & incl. 171 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] - 100) + 0 [kg]

Up to & incl. 175 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] -100) + 1 [kg]

Up to & incl. 180 cm

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] -100) + 3 [kg]

Up to & incl. 188 cm:

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 4 [kg]

Up to & incl. 196 cm:

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 5 [kg]

Over 196 cm:

Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 6 [kg]

3.6 Except of the World and Continental Championships, a category can only be run if there
are not less than 3 athletes. If less than 3 athletes, categories will be combined wherever
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possible. Masters categories will not be combined.

At the World and Continental Championships a category can only be run if there are not
less than 5 athletes. If less than 5 athletes, categories will be combined wherever possible.

3.7 Crossovers: Men’s Classic Bodybuilding competitors may also participate in Games
Classic Bodybuilding and Classic Physique and Bodybuilding at the same contest if they
meet specific requirements and bodyweight / body height limits obligatory in each of those
divisions.

Article 4 - Rounds
4.1 Men’s Classic Bodybuilding and Games Classic Bodybuilding consists of the
following four rounds:

1. Prejudging: Elimination Round (Four Mandatory Poses)

2. Prejudging: Round 1 (Four Mandatory Poses, comparisons of seven Mandatory Poses)
3. Finals: Round 2 ( Seven Mandatory Poses x 2 and Posedown)
4. Finals: Round 3 (Free Posing Routine – 60 sec.)

Article 5 - Prejudging: Elimination Round

5.1 General:
A time-table for prejudging in each category should be published after the Official Athlete
Registration. In order to give themselves time to warm up and change into their posing
attire, competitors should be in the backstage warm-up area at least 45 minutes prior to
the start time of the judging of their category. All competitors will be solely responsible
for ensuring that they are present and prepared to compete when their category is called
onstage failing which they may be eliminated from the competition.

5.2 Elimination Round Procedures:

An elimination round will be held when there are more than 15 competitors in a category.
.If necessary, IFBB Chief Judge may decrease the number of competitors qualifying to the
Semifinals to 10 or increase this number to 17. In such cases an elimination round will be
held when there are more than 10 and 17 competitors accordingly. Decision will be made
and announced after the Official Athletes Registration. The elimination round will be
carried out as follows:

1. The entire line-up is brought onstage, in numerical order and in a single line or two
lines, if necessary.

2. The line-up is divided into two equal-size groups and is positioned onstage so that one
group is to the left of the stage; the other group is to the right of the stage. The center
portion of the stage is left open for comparison purposes.

3. In numerical order, and in groups of not more than eight competitors at a time, each
group is directed to the center-stage area to perform the following four Mandatory Poses:

a. Front double biceps

b. Side chest
c. Back double biceps
d. Abdominals and thighs

Note 1: Detailed description of the Men’s Classic Bodybuilding and Games Classic
Bodybuilding mandatory poses is provided in Appendix 1 to this Section.
Note 2: Competitors will not chew gum or any other products while onstage.
Note 3: Competitors will not drink any liquids while onstage.

4. On completion of the Mandatory Poses, the entire line-up is reformed into a single line, in
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numerical order, before exiting the stage.

Article 6 – Posing Attire for All Rounds

6.1 The posing attire must meet the following guidelines:

1. Competitors will wear a one-colour, any colour, opaque gymnastic shorts,

with at least 15 cm high sides, covering the whole gluteus maximus and all the
frontal area but allowing to display the upper legs. No ornaments in the attire
will be permitted. The use of padding anywhere in the trunks is prohibited.

2. Except for a wedding ring, competitors will not wear footwear, glasses, watches,
pendants, earrings, wigs, distracting ornamentation or artificial aids to the figure.
Implants or fluid injections causing the change of the natural shape of any other parts or
muscles of the body are strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification of the
competitor.

3. Headgears are generally prohibited but if it is required by the official rules of the country
represented by a competitor or due to the religious principles observed by a competitor, a
small, tight cap with no vizor, may be used. This cup should be shown at the Official
Athlete Registration and approved by the designated IFBB official.

4. The use of props during the Prejudging or Finals presentation is strictly prohibited.

6.2 The use of tans and bronzers that can be wiped off is not allowed. If the tan comes off
by simply wiping, the athlete will not be allowed to enter the stage. Artificial body colouring
and self-tanning products may be used. Professional competition tanning methods
(airbrush tanning, cabin spray tanning) may be used if applied by the professional
companies and qualified personnel. Sparkles, glitter, shiny metallic pearls or gold coloring
are prohibited whether applied as part of a tanning lotion or applied separately,
regardless of who applied them on the competitor’s body.

6.3 The excessive application of oil on the body is strictly prohibited; however, body oils
and moisturizers may be used in moderation.

6.4 The IFBB Chief Judge, or a delegated by him official, will have the right to make
decision if a competitor’s attire meets the criteria established in the Rules and an
acceptable standards of aesthetics. The athlete may be disqualified if the attire doesn’t
meet them.

Article 7 – Prejudging: Assessing and Scoring of the Elimination Round

7.1 Assessment of the Elimination Round:
The same criteria used in judging Round 1 (see Article 10) will be used in judging of the
Elimination Round.

1. At this time, the judges will be assessing the overall physique for the degree of
proportion, symmetry, muscle size and quality (density, separation, definition) as well
as skin tone.

7.2 The scoring for the Elimination Round is carried out as follows:

1. If there are more than 15 competitors, the judges shall select the top 15 by placing an “X”
beside their numbers, using Form 1, entitled “Elimination Round (Judges)”. IFBB Chief
Judge decides if the Elimination Round will be necessary.

2. Using Form 2, entitled “Elimination Round (Statisticians)”, the statisticians will

transcribe the judge’s selections onto this sheet and will then tally the judge’s scores to
select the top 15 competitors.
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3. If there is a tie between two or more athletes fighting to enter the top 15,
the tied athletes will be brought back onstage, and the judges will perform a
reassessment of the four mandatory poses to break the tie.

4. The top 15 competitors will advance to Round 1. If necessary, IFBB Chief Judge may
decrease the number of competitors qualifying to the Semifinals to 10 or increase this
number to 17. In such cases an elimination round will be held when there are more than
10 and 17 competitors accordingly. Decision will be made and announced after the
Official Athletes Registration.

Article 8 - Prejudging: Presentation of Round 1 (Comparisons of Mandatory Poses)

Round 1 may not be held if there are 7 or less competitors in a category. Decision will be
made by the Chief Judge, will be announced after the Official Athlete Registration and will
be included in the Running Order.

8.1 Round 1 will proceed as follows:

1. All semifinalists will be called onstage as a group in a single line and in numerical
order. The entire line-up is brought onstage, in numerical order and in a single line. If time
permits, each semifinalist will be introduced by number, name, and country. Decision will
be made by the Chief Judge, who will inform the Master of Ceremony or the Announcer.

2. The line-up will be divided into two equal-size groups and will be positioned onstage so
that one group is to the left of the stage; the other group is to the right of the stage. The
center portion of the stage will be left open for comparison purposes.

3. In numerical order, and in groups of no more than ten competitors at a time, each
group will be directed to center-stage area to perform the following initial four Mandatory
Poses:

a. Front double biceps

b. Side chest
c. Back double biceps
d. Abdominals and thighs

4. This initial grouping of competitors, and performance of the four Mandatory Poses, is
intended to assist the judges in determining which competitors take part in the
comparisons of the seven Mandatory Poses. Detailed description of the Men’s Classic
Bodybuilding and Games Classic Bodybuilding Mandatory Poses is provided in Appendix
1 to this Section. Description of Quarter Turns – in Appendix 2.

5. All judges submit their individual propositions for the first comparison of the top five
athletes to the IFBB Chief Judge. Based on them, the Chief Judge will form the first
comparison. The number of athletes to be compared will be determined by the Chief Judge
but no less than three and no more than ten competitors will be compared at any one time.
Then the judges may be asked to submit individual propositions for the second comparison of
the next five athletes, included competitors placing in the middle of the group. The IFBB
Chief Judge will form the second and the next comparisons till all competitors will be
compared at least once. The total number of comparisons will be decided by the IFBB Chief
Judge.

6. All individual comparisons are to be carried out center-stage.

7. In Round 1 individual comparisons, formulated by the IFBB Chief Judge, competitors are
directed to perform the following four Quarter Turns and seven Mandatory Poses:

a. Quarter Turn Right

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b. Quarter Turn Back

c. Quarter Turn Right
d. Quarter Turn Front
e. Front double biceps
f. Front lats spread
g. Side chest
h. Back double biceps
i. Back lat spread
j. Side triceps
k. Abdominals and thighs

Detailed description of the Men’s Classic Bodybuilding and Games Classic Bodybuilding
Quarter Turns is provided in Appendix 2 to this Section.

8. On completion of the last comparison, the entire line-up is reformed into a single line, in
numerical order, before exiting the stage.

Article 9 - Prejudging: Scoring of Round 1

9.1 The scoring of Round 1 is carried out as follows:

1. Using Form 3, entitled “Judge’s Individual Placings (Prejudging)”, each judge will
award each competitor an individual placing from 1st to the last, ensuring that no two or
more competitors receive the same placing. The judges may use Form 4, entitled
“Judge’s Personal Notes” to record their assessment about each competitor.

2. The statisticians will collect Form 3 from the judges and will then transcribe each
judge’s placings onto Form 5, entitled “Score Sheet (Statisticians)”. They will then
discard two highest and two lowest scores (if nine judges) or one highest and one lowest
(if less than nine judges) for each competitor, and will add up the remaining scores to
produce a “Round 1 Subscore” and a “Round 1 Place”. The competitor with the lowest
subscore is awarded 1st place while the competitor with the highest subscore is
awarded last place.

3. Should a tie occur in the “Round 1 Subscore”, the tie will be broken using the
“Relative Placement Method”.
Note: The Relative Placement Method procedure:
Each individual judge’s scores for the tied athletes will be compared on a column-by
column basis with a dot being placed on top of the number for the athlete with better
placing. All nine regular panel judge’s scores (except alternative judges) will be
included in the tie breaking calculations. The number of dots will be tallied for each of
the tied athletes. The athlete with the greater number of dots will be declared the
winner of the tie and will then receive the better placing.

4. The scores for the Prejudging will be used to place the top 15 competitors from 1st
place to the last place. The top 6 competitors from the Prejudging will advance to the
Finals and will start the Finals with zero points.

5. The top 6 finalists will be announced just after the Prejudging.

Article 10 – Assessing of the Elimination Round, Round 1 and Round 2

(Comparisons in Quarter Turns and Mandatory Poses)

10.1 Round 1 is assessed using the following criteria:

1. The judge should first assess the overall male athletic appearance of the physique. This
assessment should begin at the head and extend downwards, taking the whole physique
into account. The assessment, beginning with the general impression of the physique,
should take into consideration the hair and facial features; the overall athletic development
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of the musculature; the presentation of a balanced, symmetrically developed physique; the

condition of the skin and the skin tone; and the athlete’s ability to present onstage with
confidence.

2. During the comparisons of the Mandatory Poses, the judge should first look at the
primary muscle group being displayed. The judge should then survey the whole physique,
starting from the head, and looking at every part of the physique in a downward sequence,
beginning with general impressions, and looking for muscular
bulk, balanced development, muscular density and definition.

The downward survey should take in the head, neck, shoulders, chest, all of the arm
muscles, front of the trunk for pectorals, pec-delt tie-in, abdominals, waist, thighs, legs,
calves and feet. The same procedure for back poses will also take in the upper and lower
trapezius, teres and infraspinatus, erector spinae, the gluteus group, the leg biceps group
at the back of the thighs, calves, and feet.

A detailed assessment of the various muscle groups should be made during the
comparisons, at which time the judge has to compare muscle shape, density, and
definition while still bearing in mind the competitor’s overall balanced development. The
comparisons of the Mandatory Poses cannot be over-emphasized as these comparisons
will help the judge to decide which competitor has the superior physique from the
standpoint of athletic balanced development, muscular density and definition.
Detail description of the Men’s Mandatory Poses may be found in Appendix 1 to this
Section.

3. The physique should be assessed as to the level of overall muscle tone, achieved
through athletic endeavours. The muscle groups should have a round and firm appearance
with a small amount of body fat.

4. The assessment should also take into consideration the tightness and tone of the skin.
The skin tone should be smooth and healthy in appearance.

5. The judge’s assessment of the athlete’s physique should include the athlete’s entire
presentation, from the moment he walks onstage until the moment he walks offstage. At all
times the competitor must be viewed with the emphasis on a “healthy, fit, athletic-looking
muscular physique, in an attractively presented “total package”.

6. In exceptional cases, when the anatomical structure of a competitor

drastically differs from the accepted criteria of body condition in the physique
sports (extended belly, unnatural shape of muscles, gynecomastia, too high
bodyfat level, etc.) the Chief Judge has the right to prevent the athlete from
competing or disqualify him in any other moment of his stage presentation.

Article 11 - Finals:
11.1 The procedures for the Finals:
The top 6 athletes from the Prejudging advance to the Finals, which consists of two
rounds as follows:

1. Round 2: Mandatory Poses and Posedown

2. Round 3: Posing Routines

11.2 The attire for Round 2 will conform to the same criteria as for Round 1 (see Article 6).
Note: Competitors may use a different trunks that in Round 1; however, they must still
conform to the standards of taste and decency as described in Article 6.

Article 12 - Finals: Presentation of Round 2 ( Mandatory Poses and Posedown)

12.1 Presentation of Round 2:
The procedures for Round 2 will be as follows:
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1. The top 6 finalists will be brought onstage in a single line and in numerical order. Each
finalist will be introduced by number, country and name.

2. The top 6 finalists will perform the 7 Mandatory Poses, as a group and at the same
time, in the middle of the stage. After the 7th pose, the Chief Judge will reverse the
order of the competitors and will repeat the seven Mandatory Poses once again. This
part of Round 2 will be scored.

3. As soon as the Mandatory Poses are completed, the IFBB Chief Judge will call for a
30- to 60-second Posedown to music of the Organizer’s choice. This part of Round 2
will not be scored.

4. After the Posedown, the top 6 finalists are reformed into a single line, in numerical
order, before exiting the stage.

5. Detailed description of Mandatory Poses is provided in Appendix 1 to this Section.

Article 13 - Finals: Scoring of Round 2

13.1 Scoring of Round 2:
The scoring for Round 2 will proceed as follows:

1. The judges, using Form 6, entitled “Judge’s Individual Placings (Finals)”, and using
the same criteria for judging as used during the Prejudging, will place the competitors
from 1st to 6th, giving no two athletes the same placing.

2. The statisticians will collect Form 6 from the judges and will then transcribe each
judge’s placings onto Form 5, entitled “Score Sheet (Statisticians)”. They will then
discard two highest and two lowest scores (if nine judges) or one highest and one lowest
(if less than nine judges) for each competitor, and will add up the remaining scores.
These scores will be multiplied by 2 and will be recorded in the column marked
“Round 2 Subscore”. Points from the Prejudging (Round 1) are not taken into
consideration in the Finals. Each competitor begins the Finals with “zero points”.

3. Ties in the “Round 2 Subscore” need not be immediately broken, as the “Round 2
Subscore” will be added to the “Round 3 Subscore” to produce a “FINAL SCORE”.

Article 14 - Finals: Assessment of Round 2

14.1 Assessment of Round 2
The same criteria used in judging Round 1 (see Article 10) will be used in this round.
More details in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 to this Section. However, the judges must
be mindful of the fact that a competitor may present a different condition in the Finals
compared to the Prejudging. Therefore, judges must ensure that this round is judged
from a “fresh” perspective, ensuring that all competitors receive fair assessment based
upon their body condition in this round.

Article 15 - Finals: Presentation of Round 3 (Posing Routines)

15.1 Procedures:
Round 3 will immediately follow Round 2. Round 3 will proceed as follows:

1. Each of the top 6 finalists, in numerical order, will perform an individual posing routine
to music of his choice, up to a maximum of 60 sec. This round will be scored.

2. Acrobatic moves are strictly prohibited. Performing the routine, competitor is not
allowed to jump or lift both legs off the stage if there is no contact of any other body
part with the stage at the moment.

3. The use of props is prohibited.

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4. The attire for Round 3 is posing trunks, which must conform to the same criteria as for
the other rounds (see Article 6).

Article 16 - Finals: Scoring of Round 3

16.1 The scoring for Round 3 will proceed as follows:

1. Using Form 6, entitled “Judge’s Individual Placings (Finals)”, each judge will mark the
competitors in placings of 1 through 6, and will not give more than one athlete the same
placing.

2. The judges may use Form 4, entitled “Judge’s Personal Notes”, to write notes about
the athletes.

3. The statisticians will collect Form 6 from the judges and will then transcribe the judge’s
placings onto Form 5, entitled “Score Sheet (Statisticians)”, under the Finals section,
Round 3. They will then discard two highest and two lowest scores (if nine judges) or
one highest and one lowest (if less than nine judges) for each competitor, will add up the
remaining five scores and will write the total under the column marked “Round 3
Subscore”.

4. They will then add the “Round 2 Subscore” and the “Round 3 Subscore” to produce
a “FINAL SCORE”. Points from the Prejudging (Round 1) are not taken into
consideration in the Finals. Each competitor begins the Finals with “zero points”. They
will then record a placing for each competitor under the column marked “FINAL
PLACE”. The competitor with the lowest “FINAL SCORE” is awarded 1st place while
the competitor with the highest “FINAL SCORE” is awarded 6th place.

5. Ties in the “Round 3 Subscore” need not be immediately broken, as the “Round 3
Subscore” will be added to the “Round 2 Subscore” to produce a “FINAL SCORE”.

6. Should a tie occur in the “FINAL SCORE”, the tie will be broken using the Round 2
Subscores. If a tie still exists, the “Relative Placement” method will be used and the
athlete’s “Round 2 Subscore” (see Article 9, point 3).

Article 17 - Finals: Assessing Round 3

17. 1 Round 3 is assessed using the following criteria:

1. The judges will be assessing each competitor on how well they display their physique
to music. Each judge assesses the posing routine with a view towards the display of
muscularity, definition, style, personality, athletic coordination and overall performance.
Judges look for a smooth, artistic and well-choreographed routine, which may include any
number of poses; however, the Mandatory Poses must be included. The competitor must
also include intermittent poses so as to display the muscular development of his physique.
“Moon” poses, and pulling the posing attire so as to display the top inside of the quadriceps
or the gluteus maximus is prohibited.

2. The judges are reminded that, during this round, they are judging 50% physique and
50% routine.

Article 18 – Finals: The Awarding Ceremony

18.1 Awarding Ceremony:
The top 6 finalists will be called onstage to take part in the award ceremony. The Master of
Ceremonies will announce the number, name and country of the competitor in 6th place
and will continue to the competitor in the 1st place.
The President of the IFBB, or the top IFBB official at the contests, accompanied by the
other official(s) invited by him to take part in this Ceremony, will present the IFBB Medals
and/or trophies to the winners.
The national anthem (short version) of the country of the 1st place winner will be played
immediately following his receipt of the 1st place award(s).
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After the national anthem, the finalists are obliged to remain onstage for a brief period of
time for photographic purposes, and to follow the IFBB Chief Judge or Stage Director
commands. During the Awarding Ceremony, competitors are not allowed to display their
country’s flag.
Competitors are expected to accept their places, medals and/or awards and to take part in
the Awarding Ceremony to its end (photo session). Competitor, who ostentatiously
manifests his disapproval and/or leave the stage prior to the end of the Awarding
Ceremony, may be disqualified.
Detailed description of the Awarding Ceremony is available in Section 1: General Rules,
Article 16.

Article 19 – Overall Category and Award

19.1 In Men’s Classic Bodybuilding the Overall Category is conducted in:

a. Senior Men’s Classic Bodybuilding (for a maximum of five champions)

b. Junior Men’s Classic Bodybuilding (for a maximum of two champions)
c. Master Men’s Classic Bodybuilding (for a maximum of three champions)

19.2 In Men’s Games Classic Bodybuilding the Overall Category is conducted in:

a. Senior Men’s Games Classic Bodybuilding (for a maximum of two champions)

The Overall Category will proceed as follows:

1. Immediately following the Awarding Ceremony for the last Men’s Classic Bodybuilding
category or for the last Men’s Games Classic Bodybuilding category all category winners
will be brought onstage in numerical order and in a single line,

2. The IFBB Chief Judge will direct the competitors through the seven Mandatory Poses
performed at the center of the stage, in numerical order and then in the reverse order.

3. On completion of the mandatory poses, the competitors will do 30-60 second

posedown and will exit the stage.

4. The judges will use Form 6, entitled “Judge’s Individual Placings (Finals)”. Each judge
will award each competitor an individual placing from 1st to last, ensuring that no two or
more competitors receive the same placing.

5. Using Form 5, entitled “Score Sheet (Statisticians)”, with nine judges, two highest and
two lowest scores will be discarded. The remaining scores will be added to produce an
“Overall Category Score” and an “OVERALL CATEGORY PLACE”.

6. Should a tie occur in the “Overall Category Score”, the tie will be broken using the
“Relative Placement Method” to the scores of this category (see Article 9, point 3).

7. The “Overall Champion” will be announced and the IFBB Overall Trophy will be
presented to him by the IFBB President or top IFBB official at the contest. The trophy will
be supplied by the organizing National Federation.

Article 20 – Teams Classification Results and Awards

20.1 Best National Teams:
The Best National Teams scoring includes:
- Top 3 Men’s Classic Bodybuilding athletes at the World Bodybuilding Championships
- Top 2 Men’s Games Classic Bodybuilding athletes at the World Bodybuilding Championships*
- World Junior Championships:*
-- Top 1 from the Junior Men’s Classic Bodybuilding 16-20 years old category
-- Top 1 from the Junior Men’s Classic Bodybuilding 21-23 years old category
-- Top 1 from the Junior Men’s Games Classic Bodybuilding 16-20 years old category
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-- Top 1 from the Junior Men’s Games Classic Bodybuilding 21-23 years old category
- Top 2 Master Men’s Classic Bodybuilding age at the World Masters Championships*
- Top 1 Master Men’s Games Classic Bodybuilding age at the World Masters Championships*

*- If categories are combined, the best teams scoring includes as many top competitors as
the number of categories.

Detailed procedure of the Teams Classification calculations is available in Section 1:

General Rules, Article 18.
The chief delegates or team managers of the top 3 countries will accept the awards on
behalf of their countries.
Publication of the Final Results – according to Section 1: General Rules, Article 19.

APPENDIX 1:
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVEN MANDATORY POSES

1.1 MEN’S’S MANDATORY POSES:

1. Front Double Biceps (see Figure 1)

Standing face front to the judges, with one leg slightly moved forward and to the side, the
competitor will raise both arms to shoulder level and bend them at the elbows. The
hands should be clenched and turned down so as to cause a contraction of the biceps
and forearm muscles, which are the main muscle groups that are to be assessed in this
pose. In addition, the competitor should attempt to contract as many other muscles as
possible as the judges will be surveying the whole physique, from head to toe.

The judge will first survey the biceps muscles looking for a full, peaked development of
the muscle, noting whether or not there is a defined split between the anterior and
posterior sections of the biceps, and will continue the head-to-toe survey by observing
the development of the forearms, deltoids, pectorals, pec-delt tie-ins, abdominals, thighs,
and calves. The judge will also look for muscle density, definition, and overall balance.

2. Front Lat Spread (see Figure 2)

Standing face front to the judges, with the legs and feet in-line and up to 15 cm apart,
the competitor will place the open hands, or clenched fists, against, or gripping, the
lower waist or obliques and will expand the latissimus muscles. At the same time, the
competitor should attempt to contract as many other frontal muscles as possible. It shall
be strictly forbidden for the competitor to pull up on the posing trunks so as to show the
top inside of the quadriceps.

The judge should first see whether the competitor can show a good spread of the
latissimus muscles, thereby creating a V-shaped torso. Then the judge should continue
with the head-to-foot survey, noting first the general aspects of the physique and then
concentrating on the more detailed aspects of the various muscle groups.

3. Side Chest (see Figure 3)

The competitor may choose either side for this pose, in order to display the “better” arm.
He will stand with his left or right side towards the judges and will bend the arm nearest
the judges to a right-angle position, with the fist clenched and, with the other hand, will
grasp the wrist. The leg nearest the judges will be bent at the knee and will rest on the
toes. The competitor will then expand the chest and by upward pressure of the front
bent arm and contract the biceps as much as possible. He will also contract the thigh
muscles, in particular, the biceps femoris group, and by downward pressure on his toes,
will display the contracted calf muscles.

The judge will pay particular attention to the pectoral muscles and the arch of the rib
cage, the biceps, the leg biceps and the calves, and will conclude with the head-to foot
examination. In this pose the judge will be able to survey the thigh and calf muscles in
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profile, which will help in grading their comparative development more accurately.

4. Back Double Biceps (see Figure 4)

Standing with his back to the judges, the competitor will bend the arms and wrists as in
the Front Double Biceps pose, and will place one foot back, resting on the toes. He will
then contract the arm muscles as well as the muscles of the shoulders, upper and lower
back, thigh and calf muscles.

The judge will first survey the arm muscles and then do the head-to-foot survey, during
which there are more muscle groups to look at than in all of the other poses. This
includes the neck, deltoids, biceps, triceps, forearm, trapezius, teres, infraspinatus,
erector spinae, external obliques, latissimus dorsi, gluteus, thigh biceps, and calves.
This pose, probably more than the others, will help the judge to determine the quality of
the competitor’s muscle density, definition, and overall balance.

5. Back Lat Spread (see Figure 5)

Standing with his back to the judges, the competitor will place his hands on his waist
with his elbows kept wide, with the legs and feet in-line and up to 15 cm apart. He will
then contract the latissimus dorsi as wide as possible and display a calf contraction by
pressing downward on the rear toes. The competitor should make an effort to display
the opposite calf to that which was displayed during the back double biceps pose so the
judge may assess both calf muscles equally.

The judge will look for a good spread of the latissimus dorsi, but also for good muscle
density and will again conclude with the head-to-foot survey.

6. Side Triceps (see Figure 6)

The competitor may choose either side for this pose so as to show the “better” arm. He
will stand with his left or right side towards the judges and will place both arms behind
his back, either linking his fingers or grasping the front arm by the wrist with his rear
hand. The leg nearest the judges will be bent at the knee and the foot will rest flat on the
floor. The leg farthest the judges moved back and the foot resting on the toes. The
competitor will exert pressure against his front arm, thereby causing the triceps muscle
to contract. He will also raise the chest and contract the abdominal muscles as well as
the thigh and calf muscles.

The judge will first survey the triceps muscles, and conclude with the head-to-foot
examination. In this pose, the judge will be able to survey the thigh and calf muscles in
profile, which will help in grading their comparative development more accurately.

7. Abdominals and Thighs (see Figure 7)

Standing face front to the judges, the competitor will place both arms behind the head
and will place one leg forward. He will then contract the abdominal muscles by
“crunching” the trunk slightly forward. At the same time, he will contract the thigh
muscles of the leg(s).
The judge will survey the abdominal and thigh muscles, and then conclude with the
head-to-foot examination.
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APPENDIX 2: PICTURES OF ALL QUARTER TURNS AND MANDATORY POSES

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