Changes in the NPC Fitness & Figure, and lots of ’em

Ever year at the NPC Nationals, NPC officials meet to discuss future shows, show dates, rules and scheduling. I had a chance to speak with many of the NPC promoters, judges and Jim Manion (the president of the NPC) about the 2008 season. I learned of a few changes that would be taking place next year in NPC Fitness & Figure. I gained further insight when sharing a shuttle with long-time photographer/man-in-the-know J.M. Manion (not to be mistaken for his dad the president) and industry man Kenny Kassel. We chatted about a number of things but most importantly were the changes in NPC fitness and figure for 2008. The list below are official changes to the NPC starting in 2008. A big thanks to JM for helping me sort through all the changes and additions.

OFFICIAL CHANGES FOR NPC FITNESS & FIGURE BEGINNING IN 2008

NPC Junior USA Championships:
• NPC Junior USA Fitness Championships – Overall Winner Earns IFBB Pro card (3 Height Classes)
• NPC Junior USA Figure Championships – Top 2 in the Overall Comparison Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)

NPC Junior National Championships:
• NPC Junior National Fitness Championships – Height Class Winners Earn IFBB Pro cards (3 Height Classes)
• NPC Junior National Figure Championships – Top 4 in the Overall Comparison Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)

NPC Masters National Figure Championships:
• Overall Winner Earns IFBB Pro card

NPC USA Championships:
• NPC USA Figure Championships – Height Class Winners Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)

IFBB North American Championships:
• IFBB North American Open Figure Championships – Top 2 in the Overall Comparison Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)
• IFBB North American Masters Figure Championships – Overall Winner Earns IFBB Pro card

NPC Team Universe Championships & National Fitness Championships:
• NPC Team Universe Figure Championships – Top 2 in Each Height Class Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)
• NPC National Fitness Championships – Top 2 in Each Height Class Earn IFBB Pro cards (3 Height Classes)

NPC National Championships:
• NPC National Figure Championships – Height Class Winners Earn IFBB Pro cards (6 Height Classes)

NEW HEIGHT CLASSES FOR WOMEN’S FIGURE NATIONALS AND CONTESTS WITH SIX HEIGHT CLASSES:
• Up to 5’1”
• Over 5’1” and up to and including 5’2-1/2”
• Over 5’2-1/2” and up to and including 5’4”
• Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’5-1/2”
• Over 5’5-1/2” and up to and including 5’7”
• Over 5’7”

All other classes remain the same:
For all contests with two (2) classes:
• Up to and including 5’4”
• Over 5’4”

For all contests with three (3) classes:
• Up to and including 5’4”
• Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’6”
• Over 5’6”

For all contests with four (4) classes:
• Up to and including 5’2”
• Over 5’2” and up to and including 5’4”
• Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’6”
• Over 5’6”

For all national qualifying figure events – the top five (5) are eligible for the JUNIOR USA, TEEN COLLEGIATE MASTERS NATIONALS and TEAM UNIVERSE FIGURE CHAMPIONSHIPS and the top three (3) are eligible for the JUNIOR NATIONAL, USA and NATIONAL FIGURE CHAMPIONSHIPS. Eligibility is good for two (2) years. Promoters can elect number of classes for their figure contests. ONLY THOSE FIGURE CONTESTS HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH A NATIONAL QUALIFYING BODYBUILDING CONTEST WILL BE NATIONAL QUALIFIERS.

The Front Split will no longer be a mandatory move in the fitness routines.

As you can see there are a number of changes in fitness and figure. I’m happy to see the height classes modified, typically the shortest and tallest classes had more competitors than others. This will even the classes out and make the judging a bit more manageable.

Fitness competitors should be stoked, the overall winner will now turn pro at Junior USAs as well as the class winners (3) turning pro at Junior Nationals. Also note that the National Fitness Championships will be held with Team Universe in New York. There was “Team Universe Fitness Championships” where the top two turned pro until now. Confusing? No more fitness at the end of the year with NPC Nationals – it is moving to Team U. Essentially nothing has changed with Team Universe except it is being called something else.

Figure competitors take note that there is now a “Team Universe Figure Championships” as well as “National Figure Championships”. That means the there will be figure added to NPC Nationals in Atlanta next year, where six women will turn pro (each class winner). There will still be figure with Team Universe where the top two will turn pro in each class. A pro card will be awarded to the Masters Overall Figure winner. This is worth noting because the first IFBB Figure Masters show is slated for the Atlantic City contest in ’08. Please note that some of the above pro cards were awarded in ’07 the NPC office thought it should be included with the changes otherwise people would think that pro card was no longer available.

If you have questions, comments or any thoughts on these changes feel free to post them or you can email me… isaac @ hardbody.com