Not sure which class is right for you?
You’re not alone. Most competitors visit this page to confirm their category before entering.
Use the criteria below as a guide. If you’re still unsure, we are happy to help you choose the most suitable class before you enter.
Bikini (Under & Over 35)
Class overview
The Bikini class is for athletes with an athletic, feminine physique and a clean, aesthetic look.
Judges look for a healthy level of conditioning, balanced proportions, and confident stage presentation — not extreme muscularity or heavy striations.
What judges are looking for
Judges reward:
• Balanced upper-to-lower body
• Clean, aesthetic lines
• Athletic conditioning
• Confident presentation
This class does not reward extreme muscle size or hardness.
Posing
1 – Front Pose:
Athletes should face the judges with one hand on the hip and the other resting at their side, no higher than waist level. Long hair must be brushed aside to ensure the physique is fully visible.
2 – Quarter Turn to the Right:
Athletes will turn so that their left side faces the judges. The right hand should be placed on the hip, and the left hand should remain at the side, no higher than waist level. The left leg (closest to the judges) should be slightly bent with the heel raised, while the right leg remains straight with the heel flat on the stage. Athletes may turn their head to look at the judges. Hair must be brushed aside to avoid covering the physique.
3 – Rear Pose:
Athletes will face away from the judges with one hand on the hip and the other at their side or both hands on hips, again no higher than waist level. Hair must be brushed aside to fully reveal the back and shoulder structure. No bending forwards is permitted.
4 – Quarter Turn to the Right:
Athletes will now have their right side facing the judges. The left hand should be placed on the hip, with the right hand at the side. The right leg (closest to the judges) should be slightly bent with the heel raised, and the left leg straight with the heel flat on the stage. Athletes may turn to look at the judges, and hair must be kept clear of the physique.
5 – Any favourite pose of athlete’s choice
Presentation
After the comparisons, athletes will perform the "I"-walk to music selected by the DJ.
Toned Figure (Under & Over 35)
Class overview
Toned Figure is for athletes with more visible muscle tone and tighter conditioning than Bikini, while maintaining an athletic and aesthetic appearance.
What judges are looking for
Judges look for symmetry, shape, and stage presence — without the heavier size or hardness of Trained Figure.
Posing
Four quarter turns (comparison poses)
1 – Front Pose:
Feet together, hips facing judges, arms down and slightly away from the body.
2 – Quarter Turn to the Right – left side showing:
Right leg bent / left leg straight; right hand on hip; left arm down and away from the body (alternative permitted: feet together side-on, both legs straight, both arms away from body).
3 – Quarter turn to the rear - rear pose: Feet together; hips facing judges; arms down and away from the body
4 – Quarter Turn to the Right– right
side showing:
Left leg bent / right leg straight; left hand on hip; right arm down and away from the body (alternative permitted: feet together side-on, both legs straight, both arms away from body).
Compulsory poses (mandatory)
1 - Front pose with arms overhead (side or front position optional, with open hands)
2 - Side pose of choice (right or left optional)
3 - Rear pose with arms overhead (no excessive bending forward at the waist)
4 - Side pose of choice (right or left optional)
5 -Any favourite pose of athlete’s choice (One or two favourite poses kept within “figure” presentation, not bodybuilding-style).
Individual routine
Each athlete will perform a posing routine of up to 60 seconds, to music of thier choice. The routine is performed without heels. The routine is performed without heels.
Trained Figure (Under & Over 40)
Class overview
Trained Figure is for athletes with a well-developed physique, clear muscle separation, and strong structure.
What judges are looking for
Judges reward symmetry, shape, and controlled conditioning, with an emphasis on a polished, balanced overall look.
Posing
Four quarter turns (comparison poses)
1 – Front Pose:
Feet together, hips facing judges, arms down and slightly away from the body.
2 – Quarter Turn to the Right – left side showing:
Right leg bent / left leg straight; right hand on hip; left arm down and away from the body (alternative permitted: feet together side-on, both legs straight, both arms away from body).
3 – Quarter turn to the rear - rear pose:
Feet together; hips facing judges; arms down and away from the body
4 – Quarter Turn to the Right– right
side showing:
Left leg bent / right leg straight; left hand on hip; right arm down and away from the body (alternative permitted: feet together side-on, both legs straight, both arms away from body).
Compulsory poses (mandatory)
1 - Front Double Biceps (open hands)
2 - Side Chest
3 - Side Triceps
4 - Rear Double Biceps (open hands)
5 - Abs and Thighs
6 -Any favourite pose of athlete’s choice (One or two favourite poses kept within “figure” presentation, not bodybuilding-style).
Individual routine
Each athlete will perform a posing routine of up to 60 seconds, to music of thier choice. The routine is performed without heels.
Men's Physique
Class overview
Men’s Physique is an open class designed for athletes with an athletic, well-proportioned upper body and a strong overall aesthetic. The emphasis is on shape, symmetry, and presentation, rather than maximum muscle size or extreme conditioning.
Men’s Physique is based on a height-to-weight formula:
Maximum allowable weight:
Height (cm) – 100
Athletes must meet the height/weight requirement to compete in this class.
Attire Requirements
1. Competitors must wear board shorts
2. Shorts must be knee length
3. No sponsor logos are permitted
What judges are looking for
udges will assess competitors on the following:
- Good overall proportions, particularly shoulder-to-waist ratio
- Balanced muscular development and symmetry
- Visible muscle definition without excessive mass or hardness
- Clean, athletic conditioning
- Confident presentation and overall stage presence
This class does not reward extreme muscularity or bodybuilding-level density.
Posing
Four quarter turns (comparison poses)
1 – Front Pose: one hand on the hip, one leg slightly angled
2 – Quarter Turn to the Right – left side showing: one hand remains on the hip
3 – Quarter turn to the rear - rear pose: one hand on the hip, one leg slightly angled.
4 – Quarter Turn to the Right– right
side showing: one hand remains on the hip
Compulsory poses (mandatory):
1 - Front pose (front-facing) with arms overhead (open hands)
2 - Left side pose showing abdominals and obliques, with left hand behind head.
3 - Rear pose (rear-facing) with arms overhead (open hands)
4 - Right side pose showing abdominals and obliques, with right hand behind head.
5 - Front pose (front-facing) abdominals pose
6 - Any favourite pose of athlete’s choice
Presentation
After comparisons, athletes will perform the “I” Walk with music provided by the DJ.
Presentation, posture, and confidence are key elements of scoring in this class.
Juniors
Class overview
All Junior competitors must fall within the Under 24 age band on the day of the show. Age eligibility is determined by year and month of birth, and proof of age may be required at athlete check-in.
What judges are looking for
Junior athletes are judged using standard bodybuilding criteria, with emphasis on balance, symmetry, conditioning, and overall presentation, appropriate to the Junior category.
Posing
Four quarter turns (comparison poses)
1 – Front Pose
2 – Quarter Turn to the Right - left
side showing
3 – Quarter turn to the rear - rear pose
4 – Quarter Turn to the Right – right
side showing
Compulsory poses (mandatory):
1 - Front Double Biceps
2 - Side Chest
3 - Side Triceps
4 - Rear Double Biceps
5 - Abs and Thighs
6 - Any most muscular pose of athlete’s choice
Individual routine
Each athlete will perform a posing routine of up to 60 seconds, to music of thier choice.
First Timer / Novice
Class overview
The Novice / First Timers category is designed to support athletes who are new to competitive bodybuilding, providing a fair and welcoming entry point onto the NAC UK stage.
These classes are combined and judged together.
Eligibility Criteria
- First Timers: Competitors who have never entered a bodybuilding show with any federation.
- Novice: Competitors who have never won a show with any federation.
Athletes must meet the relevant eligibility criteria on the day of the show to compete in the Novice / First Timers category.
What judges are looking for
Judges assess competitors using standard bodybuilding class criteria, with emphasis on:
- Balanced muscular development
- Symmetry and overall physique structure
- Appropriate conditioning
- Confident stage presence and presentation
Posing
Four quarter turns (comparison poses)
1 – Front Pose
2 – Quarter Turn to the Right - left
side showing
3 – Quarter turn to the rear - rear pose
4 – Quarter Turn to the Right – right
side showing
Compulsory poses (mandatory):
1 - Front Double Biceps
2 - Side Chest
3 - Side Triceps
4 - Rear Double Biceps
5 - Abs and Thighs
6 - Any most muscular pose of athlete’s choice
Individual routine
Each athlete will perform a posing routine of up to 60 seconds, to music of thier choice.
Men's Classic
Class overview
Men’s Classic is a bodybuilding class that emphasises balanced muscular development, classic proportions, and aesthetics, rather than maximum size. Athletes must meet specific height-to-weight limits, ensuring fair comparison and maintaining the traditional Classic look.
Class divisions:
- Classic 1: Over 1.75m
- Classic 2: Under 1.75m
- Classic Over 40s
Height-to-weight formulas (maximum allowable weight):
- Up to and including 1.70m: Height − 100 + 4kg
- 1.71m to 1.79m: Height − 100 + 6kg
- 1.80m to 1.89m: Height − 100 + 8kg
- Over 1.90m: Height − 100 + 10kg
Athletes must meet the relevant height and weight criteria to be eligible to compete in the Classic class.
What judges are looking for
Judges will assess competitors on:
- Proportions, with particular emphasis on shoulder-to-waist balance
- Overall symmetry and structure
- Visible muscular definition and clean conditioning
- Balanced development across the entire physique
- A polished overall appearance and confident stage presence and athletic poses.
This class rewards a classic bodybuilding physique that is aesthetic, controlled, and well-presented, rather than extreme mass or excessive hardness.
Posing
Four quarter turns (comparison poses)
1 – Front Pose
2 – Quarter Turn to the Right - left
side showing
3 – Quarter turn to the rear - rear pose
4 – Quarter Turn to the Right – right
side showing
Compulsory poses (mandatory):
1 - Front Double Biceps
2 - Side Chest
3 - Side Triceps
4 - Rear Double Biceps
5 - Abs and Thighs
6 - Any most muscular pose of athlete’s choice
Emphasis here is on athletic class posing
Individual routine
Each athlete will perform a posing routine of up to 60 seconds, to music of thier choice.
Men's Open Classes 1,2,3,4
Class overview
Men’s Open Bodybuilding is the traditional open bodybuilding division, designed for athletes seeking to compete without weight limits. Classes are divided by height only, allowing fair comparison between competitors of similar stature.
Height-based class divisions:
- Class 4: Up to and including 1.65m
- Class 3: 1.66m up to and including 1.72m
- Class 2: 1.73m up to and including 1.79m
- Class 1: Over 1.79m
Athletes will be placed into the appropriate class based on their official height measurement.
What judges are looking for
Judges will assess competitors on full open bodybuilding criteria, including:
- Maximum muscular development and overall size
- Balanced proportions across the entire physique
- Strong symmetry and structural balance
- High levels of conditioning, muscle detail, and separation
- Confident stage presence and controlled posing
This class rewards the most complete bodybuilding physiques, combining size, conditioning, symmetry, and presentation.
Posing
Four quarter turns (comparison poses)
1 – Front Pose
2 – Quarter Turn to the Right - left
side showing
3 – Quarter turn to the rear - rear pose
4 – Quarter Turn to the Right – right
side showing
Compulsory poses (mandatory):
1 - Front Double Biceps
2 - Side Chest
3 - Side Triceps
4 - Rear Double Biceps
5 - Abs and Thighs
6 - Any most muscular pose of athlete’s choice
Individual routine
Each athlete will perform a posing routine of up to 60 seconds, to music of thier choice.
Masters Classes
Class overview
Masters classes are age-based allowing athletes to compete against others within the same age range while maintaining full bodybuilding standards.
Age categories are determined by year and month of birth. An athlete will compete in the Masters class that corresponds to their age on the day of the show.
Masters age divisions:
- Masters Over 70s: 70 years of age and older
- Masters Over 60s: 60 to 69 years of age
- Masters Over 50s: 50 to 59 years of age
- Masters Over 40s: 40 to 49 years of age
Important Notes
- Age eligibility is determined by year and month of birth
- Proof of age may be required at athlete check-in
What judges are looking for
Judges will assess competitors using standard bodybuilding criteria, with emphasis on:
- Balanced muscular development and proportion
- Overall symmetry and structure
- Appropriate conditioning and muscle detail
- Confident stage presence and presentation
Posing
Four quarter turns (comparison poses)
1 – Front Pose
2 – Quarter Turn to the Right - left
side showing
3 – Quarter turn to the rear - rear pose
4 – Quarter Turn to the Right – right
side showing
Compulsory poses (mandatory):
1 - Front Double Biceps
2 - Side Chest
3 - Side Triceps
4 - Rear Double Biceps
5 - Abs and Thighs
6 - Any most muscular pose of athlete’s choice
Individual routine
Each athlete will perform a posing routine of up to 60 seconds, to music of thier choice.