NANBF User Forum

Hello all! I have been competing with the NPC since 2005, primarily focusing on fitness but doing some figure as well. I have always been a natural athlete and am looking for some advice for competing in figure in the NANBF. I know the posing is somewhat different and I am trying to get an understanding of the presentation round. However, my biggest question is in relation to what kind of physique are they looking for figure? Hard, soft, etc? I have attached pictures taken at four weeks out. I'm considered about coming in too hard, or too soft, and am just not sure as far as what kind of conditioning I should shoot for. Thanks for any input!



[/url]

I know they like lean....I found out the hard way. I didn't place well my last show.

Good luck to you.

Thank you for giving the NANBF org. a look. You will find that one of our main reasons for existing is to server the athletes. Without you, we wouldnt be an organization. We put the athlete first here in the NANBF.

As a pro and amt. judge, I can tell you, I've never seen a girl TOO hard or TOO lean yet. Obviously, you nee to bring YOUR best package. Although you are placed against how others look, you never know until you step on stage and are compared to others. Come in as lean and hard as you can.

I know for me, nothing gets my first look better than GOOD..WELL DEFINED...and ROUNDED delts! The killer for most figure participants for me...when I really have to separate the top from the bottom..is when the rear pose is displayed...GLUTES kill. Good glutes...kill the competition!

Brian

Yep...THAT'S what killed me. Work those glutes and get lean.

My feel is that NANBF prefers a leaner look than the NPC.

Thank you very much everyone for your responses! That was my main question, as the NPC has been trending towards a softer look for figure, and some harder girls I know have been encouraged to switch to bodybuilding.

I am looking very forward to trying something different and seeing how it goes.

I live in south St. Louis City and am NOT looking forward to driving to O'Fallon three days in a row (polygraph, check-in, and show). If you know of anyone who lives in or near the city who is interested in car pooling, please let me know!

Sonia,
You and I have similar body types. I have been told more than once that I need to come in leaner and harder. The lower the body fat the better! Really get those abs to pop! There is a lot of good figure posing videos on you tube. Type in some of the pros names and there will be video of their T Walk and the quarter turns. I learned alot from that. I think that you will also find that the girls that compete in the NANBF are extremely friendly to one another and very complimentary. I always feel good about myself rather than like i am being judged by the other, more "prepared" competitors. It feels more like a team sport than a one-on-one competition. I have heard girls who competed in the NPC say that this is a real plus for the NANBF compared to what they are used to in their organization! And, we happen to have THE BEST president and promoters!!! Hands down! You are going to love shawna! BTW, I am a Wagner too!

I agree with Paige. Everyone back stage is so helpful. NANBF is the only organization I have competed in and it's only been twice, but both times great experiences.

Girls the How lean should I be" question is a common question we get. In my opinion hitting he sweet spot for figure is harder than bodybuilding. We really are opposed to bodybuilder hard. We do like to see good abs maybe a hint of definition in the thighs and as Brian says the Glutes must be tight. They should not be striated but need some muscular shape to match the upper torso. Flat rears on not athletic and that is what we are after. Not swimsuit model soft and not Bodybuilder hard. Symmetry is probably the most important aspect that we look for. So you cannot have great shoulders and back and not legs or butt. You need the total package.

One thing that does happen is that if no one meets the total package then a too lean person can win if they have good symmetry and a better T walk.

I can say that I truly believe that because of the drug testing element the atmosphere is always allot more friendly. No one has an advantage and I think it makes for a much better feel of fairness for our competitors. I think also all the promoters we have are all passionate about making it a celebration and to make sure you all have a fun experience. I think the competitors pick up on this and like osmosis the camaradarie becomes contagious.
This was exactly the same feeling I get competing in my first NANBF show 17 years ago. This is not just recent phenomenon.