COMPETITION WEIGHT CLASSES......facts and tips

[Pharm Animal]

When prepping for a show, it is customary to have an idea of what weight class you will be entering. the entry form will almost always have a block to check as to which class you will be entering. checking a box on the entry form is not an ultimatum: if you are above or below that weight class that you signed up for on contest day, they will just bump you accordingly. they use this information for planning the event and printing the evening show program. If you have any doubts as to what my stance is on making a certain weight class, please see my quote line...if still confused, you may e-mail me /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Okay, i am mostly familiar with NPC protocol, and this information is based on their united states organization. i realize that not all of you live in the USA, so please bear with me. Those of you who seek further guidance for a country other than the US, please contact your country's representative.

here is the breakdown of weight classes in national qualifying NPC competitions, and most other organization's competitions (i.e.: AAU, NABBA, etc.). always contact your contest promoter for the specifics, so you will not be caught off-guard. so here's the usual breakdown:

bantam: 143 1/4 and under*
light: 154 1/4 and under
middle: 176 1/4 and under
light-heavy: 198 1/4 and under
heavy: 225 and under
super-heavy: over 225*

*sometimes these weight classes are non-existent, but the weight class limits are still the same...bantamweights get moved to the lightweight class, and superheavies get moved to heavyweights.

it may be different if the show is an NPC non-NQ status and there is a lack of bantam, light-heavy, and super-heavy class. for shows without these weight classes:

light: 165 and under
middle: 187 and under
heavy: over 187

(note: i am really not sure if these competitions lacking the LHW class go to the 1/4 of a pound...but those are the traditional whole number weights that they use for shows lacking a LHW class.)

(also: i am very unfamiliar with the women's weight classes, so anyone with insight to these numbers, please get on here and make this thread a bit more complete.)

if anyone has further relevant information or guidance that would be of use, please post it in this thread; i.e.: women's divisions, other organizations, other countries, and new NPC trends

thank you all

It's not how much you weigh, but what the mirror tells you!!!
PA

[Columboweiser]

Hey pharma, at a show earlier this year I watched them elimnate a few classes and throw some Big mofo's in with some smaller guys...I hate that shit....makes it hard on newbies...I did well in a class that went to 176 1/4lb and I weighed in at 151lbs...Just my 2cc's

Building a body made for Sex!

[gopro]

Good stuff Pharm.For those of you that may compete in "natural" shows,you will usually find the wt. classes adjusted downward.For instance,the heavywt. class may be 190 and up.However,each organization does this differently.In fact,some shows go according to height instead of weight.But as Pharm says...look in the mirror,not on the scale!

wspwst

[Pharm Animal]

/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

"Creating anabolic excellence for 2002"

[Gullie]

The women's classes are as follows:
Light Wieght is up to and including 117lbs
Middles is 118 to 132
Heavies is over 132

Also the Novice Mens division does not have a Super Heavy Weight class as it is not a National Qualifing division.

PA you are dead on and this is an excellent post.

[W8's]

i know you guys hate the scale and love the mirror sheesh though. that scale is damm scary somtimes when yousee what you are actually weighing. especially for us the at love to eat in the offseason and find our offseason weights way way way above what we would compete at.


i need to stay off the thing myself.