IFBB Notice !!

[Tim Wescott]

Date:
April 13, 2005

From:
IFBB Professional Division

To:
All IFBB Professional Members

Re:
SYMMETRY & NATURAL AESTHETICS



Montreal, Canada, April 13, 2005: With a mandate from President Ben Weider, the Professional Committee and a team of expert advisors recently evaluated the issues associated with muscular development, such as size, shape, density, separation and definition, in relation to symmetry and natural aesthetics.

Certain objective criteria are involved in assessing symmetry and natural aesthetics in competitive bodybuilding. Of great significance are the qualities of balance, proportion and the overall “flow” of the physique, including classic attributes such as a dramatic “V-taper”; from broad shoulders and a wide back to a streamlined waist and a flat, muscular abdomen. In addition, there should be balance between upper and lower body development, and harmony between the left and right sides of the body. These characteristics have been the hallmark of a bodybuilder’s physique for decades, and it is the intent of this Advisory Notice to reaffirm their significance.

Distended abdomens and distorted muscles negatively impact upon symmetry and natural aesthetics and, therefore, detract from the overall physique. Athletes and judges are advised that muscle size at the expense of symmetry and natural aesthetics will not be assessed favourably.


All inquiries regarding the IFBB Professional Division should be directed to:

Jim Manion
Chairman
IFBB Professional Division
P.O. Box 3224
Pittsburgh , PA 15230


Toll Free: 1-866-304-4322
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

[ChrisC]

If the judges actually follow through with this, it will be a step in the right direction. A couple of phrases stood out:

Distended abdomens....

Well that is going to affect >90% of Olympia competitors

...distorted muscles...

Sounds like this may be referring to synthol/implants?

[Tim Wescott]

A good thing .........but will they enforce it?

Look`s like Jocelynn Pelletiers ship has come in..........he`s about the only pro without a gut and distorted bodypart!!! :Rolling Laugh:

[ChrisC]

Tim said:

A good thing .........but will they enforce it?

I think the problem is that the statement is so vague as to be meaningless. What exactly does "will not be assessed favorably" actually mean?

Why not establish a clear penalty - e.g. funky looking bodypart, obvious distention to gut - add 5 points to the score of the individual.

[Tim Wescott]

ChrisC said:

I think the problem is that the statement is so vague as to be meaningless. What exactly does "will not be assessed favorably" actually mean?

Why not establish a clear penalty - e.g. funky looking bodypart, obvious distention to gut - add 5 points to the score of the individual.

I hear ya`..........probably just more lip service to appease people,just like their thourough drug and diuretic testing !!

I hope not though............ a returnthe physiques of the 80`s look would be good to see again.

No one today has calves,a V-taper,or hard grainy definition anymore.

They all look like they`re cut from the same "cookie cutter" mold,and do not look dense, defined, and dry at all..............of course there are a few exceptions.

[youngblood]

Let's all welcome the IFBB to the 21st Century!!!
The way this "disorganization" is run, is a complete JOKE.

[GerryT]

LOL, Jocelyn has no symmetry either.

Looks like Darrem Charles' ship has come in. But who knows about enforcement, especially at the O. Ronnie will not be denied another O, even if he has to wear a girdle.

[PassionateBB]

What they say and how they vote are two different things. When they reward the athletes with distended bellies and distorted muscles, their words won't mean a thing.

[1705total]

I think the judges have actually made some strides in the right direction. I also believe that with Jim manion (some one who always valued aesthetics) this has a chance.
Look at last years NOC and Florida shows, not to mention the Ironman this year and the Arnold.
Look what happend with Art Atwood (one of my favorites) he placed like 10th in the san fran.

Whats difficult to do with the pros is establish a standard, but look for progress at the same time.
I'll give you an example
Gustavo Badel
Last year he looked phenomanal. Super ripped and proportioned. But this year he put on 15 lbs and showed a somewhat distended belly. But I think had he not done what he did, he would not have won the Ironman. Mainly because he would have looked "the same."


Boyer Coe said in the early 80's, that a champion bodybuilder could not show dramatic improvement within one year to the next. He's right.
For the IFBB to enforce these rules they need to willing to put the breaks on the massive changes we see in these guys from year to year.

Are we prepared to support our sport if that happens?

[Troyster]

Well this could be very interesting. We'll have to wait and see if it actually get put into play.

Agreed, it could very well be a step in the right direction.

T