NPC Competition Bikini

The National Physique Committee, also commonly known as NPC,  is one of the largest amateur bodybuilding organizations in the United States. The NPC organization is recognized by the IFBB Pro League. Competitors will have to compete in NPC Nationals Championships and other pro qualifiers in order to become an IFBB athlete. Since 1982, the top athletes in bodybuilding, fitness, figure, bikini and physique have started their careers in the NPC. Many of those athletes graduated to successful careers in the IFBB Professional Leagues.

To begin your journey in NPC Competition Bikini, every competitor must have an NPC card in order to compete in NPC shows. NPC cards cost USD $125 and are valid for a calendar year. You do need to show your NPC card at check-ins so it is absolutely important to have this in order to compete.

Once you have purchased your NPC card, select the division and category you want to compete in.

There are about six different divisions for NPC female athletes which are Women Bodybuilding, Women's Physique, Figure, Fitness, Bikini and Wellness. Each division has its own rules and requires a different level of muscularity and leanness. We recommend picking an NPC contest that makes sense to you geographically as well.

Some basic differences between each division are as follows: Bikini and Wellness divisions are focused on your lower body. Competitors must have a clear separation between well developed quads, hamstrings and glutes. They usually have a petite upper body with a narrower waist. Wellness is a new division that started in 2019 and only exists in NPC and WBFF. Wellness division competitors have a more developed arm, shoulder cap, back muscle and a tighter core as compared to Bikini division athletes. NPC Competition Bikini division is currently very popular as it requires less muscular development, judges for Bikini division look for a balanced, curvy physique with some muscle definition.

Figure competitors have a more developed physique with a wide upper back, lats and shoulder are capped.  They have a narrow waist with developed legs. Figure athletes should have good muscularity, with separation but with no visible striations. The judges are looking for bodies that have shapely lines and overall firmness, but are not excessively lean. The Women's Physique division definitely kicks it up a notch. Physique judges are looking for symmetry, shape, proportion, muscle tone, and poise. And lastly, The women’s bodybuilding division which is the most muscular division. Judges are looking for the so-called total package, a balance of size, symmetry, and muscularity. We recommend consulting your coach, looking at pictures to see which division would be best for you.

NPC Bikini

Your next step would be to register for a show and attached below are some more important class information to know before you register.

• True Novice are Competitors that have NEVER competed in the NPC before.
• Novice are Competitors that have not won their class in an NPC competition.
• First Responder are Competitors that are Active or Retired with First Responder ID.
• Armed Forces are Competitors that are Active or Retired & Spouses with Armed Forces ID
• Teen Divisions are Competitors that are at least 16 years old, and not over the age of 19 on the day of the competition.
• Collegiate Division are Competitors that must be taking college courses during that calendar year and must not be over 25 yrs of age.
• Masters Divisions are Competitors that are over the age(s) shown on the day of the competition, such as “Over 35”.

After you have registered for the competition, you must know the rules. Whichever division you choose to compete in, will have rules and regulations to follow including what to wear on stage. So pick your npc bikini competition suits wisely and make sure they are per the federations requirements. If you are not sure, you can always contact the Competition Suit Shop. They have made some absolutely fabulous npc bikini competition suits per the federation’s rules and regulations.

Just to give you a guideline, here are some of the rules for NPC shows. However, these may change from time to time so do make sure to check your federation’s rules each time before you compete.

• All suit bottoms must be V-shaped, no thongs are permitted. The Competition suits worn by female competitors must be two-piece but may include a printed design with fringes, lace, sparkle or fluorescents that are in good taste.
• All suits will be inspected at the check-in. Every competitor must wear their competition suit under their clothing to check-in for inspection. If your suit is not inspected you will not be permitted to compete. No Exceptions.
• If you change your competition suit from prejudging to finals and the judges deem it not to conform to the rules you will be directed to leave the stage. No Exceptions.

After completing the above, it’s time to start your contest prep, learn how to pose properly and have a blast on stage.