Womens Physique

[razorsedge]

Just had a chance to view the IFBB North Americans Womens Physique winner Bailey Schuck pictures on Rx Muscle newsletter. As one who spoke out against this new direction / division in the past I must say I have to applaud the physique they rewarded in this instance. If they maintain this direction, there is a definite place for this. To me, the winner was the owner of a great physique and when you compare successful figure athletes at higher level shows in the 2005 or so era, this would have been the winner in my opinion.

The softening of the figure physique in recent years has really opened the door for many more athletes to compete, i.e., the ones who did not want to take the physique and dieting to the next level in the past and I'm guessing the promoters heard feedback that a harder female physique was still popular...

I hope the judges continue to reward the womens physique athlete that looks like the winner in this instance and it doesn't slowly change to the womens bodybuilding mode that we have today, which I am also a big fan of as my better half is national level competitor in this field...we may consider changing...any opinions from others especially you female competitors and trainers of females..

PS: Not for a second making an inference that present figure athletes don't train and diet hard...

[MuSuLPhReAk]

I'm undecided about it till now. Like anything new, it'll take some time to see how the judges pick the winners to know what they are looking for. I'm more curious on how the guys will receive the Men Physique division as I've seen some bashing of it before it actually launched.

[steve_d]

They are still bashing men's physique. I don't know why people just stop whining that someone else is having success in a different division just because its something they couldn't excel at. There is no need to say men's physiques guys don't work hard, sure some of them don't work as hard as Ronnie, but some of them work harder. Same with bikini...sure, some of them don't even need to train to have a jaw droppign ass in a bikini + a few grand on some boobs, and they are winning shows...But others work their ass off just as hard as the figure, or bodybuilding girls just to attain the level of muscle they have.

Besides, these sports aren't about who works harder, it's about who looks better. There are pros that don't work as hard as the average amateur, and vice versa. Genetics brought them 80% of where they are, and in some cases, 80% was all they needed. But to make my point, all these divisions have 1 thing in common (or a few things)...and that is they are judging looks - period. Some look more at your face, sure, some look more at symmetry, stage presence, etc, but they all are judged on looks. So they all belong on the same stage in 1 form or the other. Bodybuilding isn't 'more important', and if you are a bodybuilder, don't talk about how men's fitness, or bikini, or any of that don't belong....Sure they are different, but its all about money, and there is a common theme to the events, so they all belong in my opinion. Everyone has to put tan on, everyone is dropping water, everyone craves junk while they are stage. The difference is 1 guy can squat more than the other, while the other looks better the the average person. If anything, men's physique and bikini belong more on the stage than the others...they are the ones getting more attention from photographers, adds, etc. Yes...I'll agree that they could be seperated for reasons that they are 'different', but don't complain that they aren't. And certainly don't start putting them down because they don't have massive quads. It only adds to the 'roided out cocky bodybuilder' stigma that we're already getting. Besides...you don't hear usain bolt complaining that the high jumpers and steeple chase guys share the same track as him, do you?



As for women's physique....I am all for it. Sexy bodybuilder division is perfect for women. There is a huge audience for people who find women with muscle still sexy. And a much smaller audience for women with too much muscle to be sexy. Not that women bodybuilding should be deleted...but I think women's physique could actually replace figure. Bikini / fitness model, sexy bodybuilder, ultra huge women bodybuilders...those could be your 3 classes.

[Delt King]

I totally agree 100% Steve. Can't we all just get along. lol

One of the guys i beat in bodybuilding is now the newest IFBB physique pro. Big congrats for Mark Wingson. Certainly is making me think about crossing over also...well after the Arnold Amateur in 2012.

[steve_d]

^ he is who I was referring to...Did you see all the crap he got on facebook from a muscle insider post congratulating his pro card? People saying he doesnt' belong on stage, and that he doesnt train hard and that he can't beat cutler, and so on and so on...Give me a break!

[Thorgrim]

I think the new classes are needed. It gives someone who has good structure but maybe not the genetics to put on the extreme mass that is the norm to be competitive. It will also appeal more to the general public. Some of the people that start training because they like the physique look might end up becoming more hardcore over time.