PHYSIQUE — DIVISION & RULES

Workout Warrior Athletics (WWA)

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This page outlines the rules, judging criteria, athlete attire, classes, posing, and advancement structure for competitors in the Physique division.

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WHAT IS PHYSIQUE?

 

Physique is an athletic men’s division in Workout Warrior Athletics Physique Sports that emphasizes balance, aesthetics, and confident presentation.

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Physique is designed to showcase:

• A strong V-taper

• Broad shoulders and back

• A tight waist and visible core

• An overall fit, athletic look

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Physique athletes are evaluated as high-level, athletic competitors, with a focus on symmetry, shape, and presentation rather than extreme muscularity.

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WHO SHOULD COMPETE IN PHYSIQUE?

 

Physique is ideal for athletes who:

• Prioritize aesthetics and athletic shape

• Have moderate muscular development

• Display a strong upper body and V-taper

• Maintain lean, athletic conditioning

• Present confidence and composure on stage

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If an athlete’s muscularity exceeds Physique standards, Muscle Physique may be the more appropriate division.

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ATHLETE ATTIRE — PHYSIQUE

 

(Read this before registering)

 

Required Attire

• Board shorts

• Athletic fit

• Approximately 2–3 inches above the knee

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Attire Guidelines

• Shorts must fit properly at the waist

• Clean, solid colors or subtle patterns preferred

• No baggy, excessively long, or distracting designs

• No offensive logos or graphics

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Grooming & Presentation

• Neat grooming is required

• Jewelry kept minimal

• Overall look must be clean, professional, and sport-appropriate

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Overall Look

• Athletic

• Confident

• Strong

• Professional

• Media-appropriate

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Physique Sports Presentation Standards

Physique Sports is built around athleticism, performance, and lifestyle.
Athlete attire reflects this philosophy by presenting competitors as athletes first, while maintaining a professional, family-friendly, and media-appropriate standard.

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All attire must be:

• Athletic in appearance

• Suitable for public and family settings

• Comparable to what would be worn in a gym, fitness event, or athletic environment

• Clean, fitted, and professional

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Failure to meet attire standards may result in scoring penalties.

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CLASSES (LEVELS) IN PHYSIQUE

 

Physique offers the following competitive classes:

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• U21 (21 and under)

• Novice

• Open

• Masters 40

• Masters 50

• Masters 60

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NOVICE, OPEN & PHYSIQUEMANIA — ADVANCEMENT RULES

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Novice → Open Advancement

• Top 3 placement in Novice at a WWA sanctioned event
  → Athlete advances to Open the next time they compete

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Experienced Competitors

• Athletes with previous competition experience may be placed directly into Open.

• This includes competitors from other federations.

• Final division placement is at the sole discretion of Workout Warrior Athletics (WWA).

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Open → PHYSIQUEMANIA Qualification

• Top 3 placement in Open at a WWA sanctioned event
  → Athlete earns PHYSIQUEMANIA Qualification.

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PHYSIQUEMANIA Qualfied Athletes

• Only athletes who have earned PHYSIQUEMANIA Qualification may compete at PHYSIQUEMANIA.

• IDFA Pro Athletes receive automatic PHYSIQUEMANIA Qualification.

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CROSS-ENTRY RULES

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U21 (21 years of age & under)

• Athletes competing in U21 may also enter Novice or Open, depending on experience level.

• Final placement into Novice or Open is at the sole discretion of Workout Warrior Athletics (WWA).

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Masters Classes (40+, 50+, 60+)

• Masters classes are age-based, not experience-based.

• Athletes may enter only one Masters class, based on their age at the time of competition.

  • Example: An athlete aged 50–59 must enter Masters 50+ and may not also enter Masters 40+.

• Athletes entering a Masters class may also compete in Novice or Open, depending on experience.

• Final Novice/Open placement is at the sole discretion of Workout Warrior Athletics (WWA).

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Competing in Multiple Divisions

• Athletes may enter more than one division at the same event, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for each division.

• This applies to both Men’s and Women’s divisions.

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Examples:

• A Men’s Physique athlete may also compete in Muscle Physique.

• A Women’s athlete may compete in Bikini Model and Fitness Model.

• A Women's athlete may compete in Fitness Model and Muscle Model.

• A Transformation athlete may compete in another Divison (s).

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Purpose of this rule:

• Allows athletes—especially new competitors—to explore divisions.

• Helps athletes determine which division best suits their physique, strengths, and presentation.

• Encourages long-term athlete development without penalization.

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JUDGING CRITERIA

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1️⃣ PHYSIQUE DEVELOPMENT

 

Judges assess:

• Muscle size appropriate to the division

• Shape and flow of the upper body

• Overall athletic appearance

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2️⃣ SYMMETRY & PROPORTION

 

Judges evaluate:

• Shoulder-to-waist ratio

• Upper-body balance

• Left-to-right symmetry

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3️⃣ CONDITIONING

 

Conditioning should be:

• Lean and athletic

• Clearly defined without excessive dryness

• Healthy and sustainable

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Over-conditioning or an overly dense appearance may be marked down.

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4️⃣ PRESENTATION & STAGE PRESENCE

 

Judges look for:

• Confidence and composure

• Smooth transitions

• Natural, controlled posing

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JUDGING ROUND — PHYSIQUE

 

During the Judging Round, athletes are evaluated on shape, balance, symmetry, conditioning, and overall athletic presentation.

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Judging Round Procedure

 

Athletes will:

• Line up on stage in numerical order

• Face the judges in a Front Pose (hand on hip, athlete’s choice)

• Execute a series of mandatory poses as directed by the Head Judge

 

Athletes should maintain confident posture, smooth transitions, and attentive awareness of stage instructions throughout the round.

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MANDATORY POSES

 

Mandatory poses for Physique are called in the following order:

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1. Front Pose

2. Abdominal Pose

3. Side Pose (athlete’s choice of side)

4. Back Pose

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MANDATORY POSES & DESCRIPTIONS

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1️⃣ FRONT POSE

 

Purpose:
Showcase overall shape, upper-body width, and V-taper.

 

How to Perform:

• Face the judges

• Place one hand on the hip (athlete’s choice)

• Opposite arm hangs naturally at the side

• Feet and hips face forward

• Slight outward angle of the feet is permitted

• Open the lats to highlight the V-taper

 

Judges Look For:

• Shoulder width and taper

• Balance and posture

• Clean, confident presentation

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2️⃣ ABDOMINAL POSE

 

Purpose:
Display abdominal development and core control.

 

How to Perform:

• Face the judges

• Feet shoulder-width apart

• Hands placed behind the head

• Exhale and tighten the core

• Maintain upright posture

 

Note: This pose highlights abdominals and V-taper only. It is not a quadriceps pose.

 

Judges Look For:

• Abdominal clarity and control

• Core strength

• Overall balance

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3️⃣ SIDE POSE (Athlete’s Choice of Side)

 

Purpose:
Highlight side-body balance, posture, and overall structure.

 

How to Perform:

• Turn to the side of your choice

• Hips and feet face the side of the stage

• Head turned toward the judges

• Rotate shoulders slightly toward the judges

• Front foot flat, rear foot spiked

• Maintain tall posture

 

Judges Look For:

• Upper-body balance

• Shoulder and chest structure

• Athletic posture

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4️⃣ BACK POSE

 

Purpose:

Display back width, symmetry, and V-taper.

 

How to Perform:

• Face the back of the stage

• Feet parallel or slightly angled outward

• Feet shoulder-width apart or closer

• Flare the lats to display the V-taper

• One hand may be placed on the hip if preferred

 

Judges Look For:

• Back width and symmetry

• Taper from shoulders to waist

• Controlled, confident presentation

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RULES & POLICIES

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• Athletes are compared only within their division and class

• Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in penalties or disqualification

• Failure to meet attire or presentation standards may result in scoring penalties

• Workout Warrior Athletics reserves the right to:

  • Verify eligibility

  • Assign appropriate division or class placement

  • Enforce all competition rules

 

All judging and placement decisions are final.

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DRUG-FREE SPORT POLICY

 

Workout Warrior Athletics (WWA) is committed to preserving the integrity of Drug-Free Physique Sports, built on discipline, dedication, and long-term health.

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• WWA may conduct polygraph testing, voice stress analysis, and/or urine analysis at any sanctioned event

• Testing standards align with the 2026 Prohibited List under the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC), maintained by WADA

• Athletes must be free of all prohibited substances for a minimum of five (5) years to be eligible to compete

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Failure to meet drug-free standards may result in disqualification and loss of eligibility.

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