The National Physique Committee (NPC) is the largest amateur bodybuilding organization in the United States. Amateur bodybuilders compete in competitions from local to national competitions sanctioned by the NPC. While the term "bodybuilding" is commonly used to refer to athletes participating in contests sanctioned by the NPC and IFBB Pro League, nine divisions are represented including men's bodybuilding, women's bodybuilding, bikini, men's physique, classic physique, women's physique, figure, fitness, and wellness.

History

The Amateur Athletic Union is an organization that governs many amateur level sports in the U.S.. Each sport has a committee that provides direct oversight of that sport. For the sport of bodybuilding Jim Manion was the president of the Physique Committee. Manion decided that in order to better promote the sport of bodybuilding, he would need to break away from the AAU, so he founded the National Physique Committee in the early 1980s.

Professional Status

The NPC is the only amateur organization recognized by the IFBB Professional League. The IFBB Pro League is the professional league for bodybuilding athletes and the sanctioning body for the world's largest professional contests such as the Mr. Olympia, Arnold Sports Festival, and Legion Sports Fest. In order to become an IFBB professional athlete an athlete must compete at an IFBB Pro Qualifier such as the NPC Nationals Championship, NPC USA Championship, or any other pro qualifier. Professional status will be awarded to top placing athletes.

Rules

Athletes must possess a valid NPC card to compete in an NPC show. NPC cards are valid for a calendar year.

Eligibility

An athlete must be a U.S. citizen to compete in the following national competitions: Proof of citizenship must be one of the following: Residency is four (4) months prior to a contest or must be a full-time student in the area.

Backstage

Competitors' Health

Events

Classes

Posing

Posing Suits

(Dependent on event)

Posing Music

Prejudging Poses

Relaxed Round

Individual Round

Mandatory Round

Weight Classes

(Only relevant to specific events) 2 Classes: 3 Classes: 4 Classes:

National Champions

Men's Overall Bodybuilding Winners