All N.P.A. competitions have three judging rounds.
Male.
Round One.
Semi-relaxed quarter turns round. Front, back, and side stances.
Judges are looking for the best combination of shape, symmetry, balance and proportion, with aesthetic qualities. Feet must be kept flat to the floor.
Excessive twisting is not allowed.
Round Two.
Eight compulsory poses, which are:
1- front double-biceps; 2 - front lat-spread; 3 - side-chest (either side); 4 - side triceps (either side); 5 - back double-biceps; 6 - back lat-spread; 7 – abdominals and thighs; 8 - most muscular.
Judges are looking for the best combination of mass, separation, muscularity, shape, symmetry, and condition.
Competitors will be instructed to do Round 2 immediately following Round 1.
Each call-out will see the called athlete do the quarter turns and then the compulsory poses, and on completion of both rounds, will then be asked to return to the line-up. Judges will then mark both rounds individually on the sheet.
Round Three.
Free posing round. At all N.P.A. competitions, posing shall be of 90 seconds maximum duration. Competitors are encouraged to display their physique to the best of their abilities.
In the Men's classes, if a class has one entrant, he will be instructed to go onstage with the next class, although he will not be judged against those in that respective class. He will therefore be invited to the British Finals in his respective weight class.
Female.
Ladies Physique.
Round One.
Semi-relaxed quarter turns round. Front, back and side stances.
Judges are looking for the best combination of shape, symmetry, balance and proportion, with aesthetic qualities. Feet must be kept flat to the floor.
Excessive twisting is not allowed.
Round Two.
Eight compulsory poses, which are;
1 - front double-biceps; 2 - front lat spread; 3 - side-chest (either side); 4 - side triceps (either side); 5 – back double-biceps; 6 – back lat-spread; 7 - abdominals and thighs; 8 - most muscular.
All poses to be done with closed fists where appropriate.
Judges are looking for the best combination of mass, separation, muscularity, shape, symmetry, and condition.
Competitors will be instructed to do Round 2 immediately following Round 1. Each call-out will see the called athlete do the quarter turns and then the compulsory poses, and on completion of both rounds, will then be asked to return to the line-up. Judges will then mark both rounds individually on the sheet.
Round Three.
Free posing round. At all N.P.A. competitions, posing shall be of 90 seconds maximum duration. Competitors are encouraged to display their physique to the best of their abilities.
If there are more than 3 entries in total (i.e 3 lightweight, and 1 heavyweight), in the two classes there will be two separate classes.
Should there be three entries or less in total (i.e. 1 lightweight ,and 2 heavyweight) then there shall be one Ladies Physique class, with all competitors qualifying for the British Finals in their respective classes.
Ladies Trained Figure.
The Trained Figure competitor should show a toned, balanced, shapely body, with aesthetic qualities, exhibiting signs of training with weights whilst always retaining her femininity. The muscle groups should be round and firm in appearance, and the body should have a small amount of body fat, neither being too muscular or too lean. The competitor should be free of deep muscular separation and striations. The skin should be of a smooth and healthy appearance. Poses displaying muscularity are not allowed.
Round One – Symmetry, Balance and Proportion.
Semi-relaxed quarter turns round. Front, back, and side stances.
Judges are looking for the best combination of shape, symmetry, balance and proportion, with aesthetic qualities. Feet must be kept flat to the floor.
Excessive twisting is not permitted.
Round Two – Shape and Tone.
Seven compulsory poses which are;
1 - front double biceps; 2 – front lat-spread; 3 – side-chest (either side); 4 – side triceps (either side); 5 – back double biceps; 6 – back lat spread; 7 – any front or side pose of your choice.
Poses 1, 3, and 5 must be demonstrated with open hands.
Competitors will be instructed to do Round 2 immediately following Round 1. Each call-out will see the called athlete do the quarter turns and then the compulsory poses, and on completion of both rounds, will then be asked to return to the line-up. Judges will then mark both rounds individually on the sheet.
Round Three.
Free posing round. At all N.P.A. competitions, posing shall be of 90 seconds maximum duration. Competitors are encouraged to display their figure to the best of their abilities. Gymnastic moves are optional but will not be marked up above any orthodox posing. The posing round is to display a competitors’ figure to the best of the competitors’ ability – it is not a round that will be judged on athletic or gymnastic prowess.