This month, I am going to be talking about judging fitness, figure and bikini competitions. Now I want to clarify that I am not a judge, but I have been judged quite a bit. (funny)
The main thing that comes up is people look at pictures and they say the judges are looking for "hard" or "soft" for a particular show. Then they see the winner, who is pretty muscular, the second place finisher, not so muscular and then third, back to more muscular. So they are scratching their heads and saying, this is inconsistent and wonder what the judges are looking for.
Let me begin by saying, the judges know exactly what they are looking for, every show, every time. Don't you notice for your body, you look best a particular way? Don't you notice a genetic shape and structure to your physique? Personally I have NEVER had shredded shoulders. So when the judges started complaining about shoulder and quad definition in figure being too much, I knew they were NOT talking to me. I have never seen that on my body, nor do I have the genetic structure for this really to be even possible. It just would not look good.
The explanation that I give to many people that really helps them to understand is that of your local produce department. Think of judging literally, apples, oranges, pineapples, bananas, and grapes. What looks the best? What if you as a judge don't like bananas? Hey it happens. But how do you decide which fruit to pick. In general you will go for the fruit that is the richest in color for that particular fruit, even skin tone, nice shape, balance top to bottom... are we seeing similarities here?
If you are an apple, don't try to be a banana. Just look at your genetic structure and create the best looking physique that you can for your particular body. The judges already know what that is. Don't focus so much on pictures, look in the mirror and start to create the body that looks best on you. when you do that, I am certain you will be rewarded.
Have fun with competition. Take a light hearted approach, and when in doubt, ask the judges, they will tell you what direction to take for your particular body.
Remember to keep in mind, nobody likes a sour apple.
