Bodybuilding categories and competition rules
If you’re planning to step on stage for the first time, the first question is always the same: which group do I belong in? Bodybuilding categories divide competitors by age, sex and body weight, so the competition is fair. Below you’ll find the rules approved by the Estonian Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (EKFL) and the order of the rounds.
Bodybuilding categories by age and sex
The EKFL divides competitors into six main groups:
- Youth bodybuilding (17 and under) — weight categories: -67.5 kg and +67.5 kg
- Junior bodybuilding (18–20 years old) — -72.5 kg and +72.5 kg
- Men’s bodybuilding (from age 21) — -70 kg, -80 kg, -90 kg and +90 kg
- Men’s bodyfitness — one category (see the height-weight formula below)
- Women — bodyfitness, bodybuilding and fitness separately
- Veterans — compete together with the men or the women, but are scored separately
In Estonia, the number of women’s and bodyfitness categories is often just one, because there are fewer entrants. That means the competition is tighter, but the stage is open to everyone.
Mandatory poses in men’s bodybuilding
A men’s bodybuilding competition consists of three rounds.
Round 1: relaxed stance from the front and relaxed stance from the back.
Round 2: competitors perform a 60-second free routine to music.
Round 3 — mandatory poses in order:
- Front double biceps
- Front lat spread
- Side chest (left or right side, your choice)
- Back double biceps
- Back lat spread
- Side triceps (left or right side, your choice)
- Abs and legs
If the judges want a comparison, they ask some or all of the competitors to repeat the mandatory poses. The rest step back two steps and wait.
Women’s bodybuilding (usually 1 category in Estonia) — weight categories: up to 52 kg, up to 57 kg and over 57 kg. The competition also consists of three rounds: relaxed stances (front and back), a 90-second free routine and the mandatory poses (front double biceps, front lat spread, side chest, back double biceps, abs and legs).
Overall categories: the best youth and junior competitors together, and the best men together. The judges call the competitors onto the stage for comparative judging (relaxed stances from the front and back, then the mandatory poses). While waiting for the results, all participants perform a 60–90-second posedown — showing their best poses to the audience to music.
Bodyfitness: height-weight formula and order of rounds
In the men’s bodyfitness category, body weight alone doesn’t determine the weight class — height counts too. The formula depends on height:
- Up to 170 cm: MBW = (height − 100) + 2
- 170.1–178 cm: MBW = (height − 100) + 4
- Over 178 cm: MBW = (height − 100) + 6
Example: a competitor who is 174 cm tall calculates MBW = (174 − 100) + 4 = 78 kg.
Men’s bodyfitness consists of three rounds: Round 1 — quarter turns (front, left side, back, right side — clockwise); Round 2 — a 60-second free routine; Round 3 — a comparison in five mandatory poses (front double biceps, front lat spread, side chest, back double biceps, abs and legs). Attire requirement: posing trunks with side panels at least 2 cm wide.
Women’s fitness and women’s bodyfitness (usually 1 category each) — categories: up to 164 cm and over 164 cm. In both disciplines the competition consists of quarter turns (front, left, back, right), and women’s fitness adds a 90-second free routine.
Bodybuilding categories — frequently asked questions
How old do I have to be to compete in the junior category?
Juniors are 18–20 years old. Competitors under 18 compete in the youth category (weight categories -67.5 kg and +67.5 kg).
How is the men’s bodyfitness weight category calculated?
The formula is MBW = (height − 100) + add-on, where the add-on is 2, 4 or 6 depending on height. For example, an athlete who is 174 cm tall should come in within 78 kg.
Do veterans compete separately?
Veterans go on stage together with the men or the women, but their results are scored separately — so there are prizes in both groups.
Author: EKFL
Source: WHO – physical activity.
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