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The IPL Look
Although there are general guidelines for each division of competition, the IPL does not have a particular “look” that is rewarded. The look for each division will be determined by what the athletes bring to the stage on that day. If one competitor’s look has been consistently rewarded it will be because they have been bringing the best total package to the stage. If at some point another competitor presents a package that is different yet favored as the “best look” then they will have set a new standard.
The IPL encourages athletes, coaches, teams, camps to bring creativity and artistry back to the sport. By this we mean be creative, push the envelope, and create art. With the IPL you are not forced to conform to physique guidelines that are determined by the league. But be aware of what is judged. For instance if you are a Bikini competitor and you come in incredibly hard, ripped, and muscular, and as a result you cannot display your physique, walk, etc… with poise, grace, and fun then you will not place well in the Presentation and Posing rounds. And as a result this will hurt your overall score.
This being said, the IPL does have general guidelines for each division of competition. And, more importantly, we do have set rounds which are judged. Through the industry’s leading magazine publications we will be bringing you the stories, explanations, and photographs of the results of our shows. The bottom line is, be aware of the rounds and what is being judged, come in shape, and bring the best package you can.
Classes
- AMATEUR NOVICE
- Generally for beginners. Cannot compete in any Novice class for a Division in which they achieved IPL Professional Qualified status.
- AMATEUR MASTERS
- Must be a minimum of 40 years of age.
- Cannot compete in any Amateur Masters Division in which they have achieved IPL Professional status AND have competed as a Pro.
- AMATEUR OPEN
- Cannot compete in an Open division for which they have already achieved IPL Professional status AND have competed as a Pro.
- PROFESSIONAL
- Must have won Pro status at an IPL Pro Qualifier.
- PROFESSIONAL MASTERS
- Must have won Pro Masters status at an IPL Pro Masters Qualifier.
Crossovers (Pros & Amateurs)
Competitors can crossover to as many divisions and classes as they wish.
A different suit must be worn for each division you enter. For example, Figure and Bikini. (*this applies to both Men & Women for ALL divisions). This does not apply to classes within the divisions. For example, a competitor may compete in a Novice and Open Class within the same division (Bikini, for instance) wearing the same suit. You will be given enough time between divisions in order to switch suits.
The IPL believes that many competitor’s physiques may be on the line between divisions. We do not believe that competitors should be forced to choose. Let your body go where it wants or where you want it to.
Also, many competitors are trying to figure out exactly which division(s) they will best fit into. The crossover is a great way to experiment with this.
***PLEASE BE AWARE THAT COMPETITORS WHO COMPETE IN MULTIPLE DIVISIONS AND CLASSES MAY RECEIVE VARYING (EVEN CONFLICTING) SCORES FROM DIVISION/CLASS TO DIVISION/CLASS. FACTORS THAT MAY EFFECT THE VARYING SCORES INCLUDE YOUR LOOK RELATIVE TO THE OTHERS IN EACH DIVISION/CLASS, YOUR SPECIFIC SUIT FOR EACH DIVISION/CLASS, POSING, PRESENTATION ETC…
T-Walk
Finals walk & routines are to be 60 seconds. Competitors who exceed this time limit may lose points. Please practice and time your walk/routine. Bodybuilders may create a routine. All other divisions must perform the standard T-walk.
Judging & Scoring
Within the IPL, judging rounds are very similar from division to division. As a general rule, it is all about game plan and strategy. The IPL supports creativity, artistry, and gives athletes the ability to change or set the “standard” at any given time. The IPL’s advice or “judge’s notes” with regards to a particular athlete will be specific to that athlete. Athletes will not be advised on how to meet any “standard” because this standard will surely evolve and change. That being said, as mentioned, advice will be built into the judging & scoring system. Score Cards will be available for every class/division. Please click here to request scorecards. Score Card requests will be posted on the contest results page for the show.
Athletes will receive six individual scores:
Each division consists of 5 “rounds.”
- Muscularity
- Conditioning
- Symmetry
- Posing/Presentation
- Model Walk or routine (only the top five perform walk or routine)
Although not an actual round, athletes will also receive a score for the following:
- Suit (fit & choice)
The Scores
9-10 = Excellent
7-8 = Impressive
4 – 6 = Good
1 – 3 = Weak
Here’s how it works:
Figure competitor example (using one judge and 2 competitors)
JUDGE’S SCORES FOR COMPETITOR A
- Muscularity = 9
- Symmetry = 8
- Conditioning = 9
- Posing/Presentation = 4
- Suit = 9
At this point this competitor’s score would be 39 out of a possible 50. The Model Walk would be judged only if she places in the top 5.
Here is what this judge’s scores tell her: She is very muscular, with impressive symmetry and excellent conditioning. However, her posing/presentation (poise, grace, make-up, and hair are judged in the Figure division) needs work. And, she has a great suit that worked very well for her. Could this competitor have received the lower score in posing/presentation because her extreme muscle mass and conditioning made it difficult for her to display her physique with poise and grace? Perhaps she should consider coming in a little smaller and softer next time in order to present better? Or perhaps she can stick with this look and work harder at bringing more poise and grace to her current look and posing for higher points in this round. It’s up to her.
JUDGE’S SCORE FOR COMPETITOR B
- Muscularity = 7
- Symmetry = 9
- Conditioning = 7
- Posing/Presentation = 9
- Suit = 9
Going into Finals this competitor’s score would be 41 out of a possible 50. Again, the Model Walk would be judged only if she places in the top 5.
Here is what this judge’s scores tell her. She has impressive muscularity, but her symmetry is excellent. Her conditioning is also impressive and she presents and poses excellently and is wearing an excellent suit for her physique. In order to score higher next time she may want to consider coming in with more muscle and leaner. But she should consider her strategy here as her softness and current muscle size may be the right combination for her to maintain poise, grace and present well. Or she could keep her physique as is and focus on perfecting her posing, presentation and suit and as a result add another point to her overall score. The bottom line is, all this is for her to decide.
Here, the smaller, softer competitor is favored due to her total package.
Show Format
The format of IPL contests is “straight run.” Meaning the entire contest will take place in one block of time. Awards will take place directly after judging for each class.
Additional Information
In The Event Of Tie, And To Determine Overall Winners There Is A Pose Down
A pose down is when the tied competitors, or class winners, step forward and perform some of their best poses/moves in order to determine the winner. This normally lasts for 15 seconds up to one minute, depending on how difficult the decision is for the judges. When the judges have their decision, the winner is announced.