IFBB Advisory Rule about Competition Contracts and No-Show at Finals

This was released last week, from the IFBB:

Credit: IFBBPro.com

Let's start with the athlete competition contract ruling. There are those that take their time and want to see who else is competing and maybe they will wait until the very last minute to send in a contract. With this new ruling, that will be reduced dramatically as competitors MUST submit their contracts no later than a month (30 days) before the competition they plan to enter. And if they DO wait, they gotta pay up to the tune of 200 dollars. So make up your mind early, folks, and go ahead and submit those contracts.

As far as the no-show at finals are concerned, good ruling on that as well. If you make it, don't bail out unless you have a legitimate excuse. If you're literally feeling like you're gonna pass out, then you clearly excused from the finals. Your health is more important than a trophy and a spot at the Olympia. But if you're skipping to be skipping, you better hope it's a VERY GOOD excuse, because it's gonna cost ya $1,000. And until it's paid off, you will be kept from competing elsewhere.

While I personally love these rulings, some of you might not. What are YOUR thoughts on the new IFBB rulings? Post them below.

New Olympia Qualifications for 2012 and Beyond

For those unaware, the 2012 Olympia is aiming to be more elite with some new changes. Here's the official IFBB Advisory Notice on Olympia qualifications, beginning next year:

Photo credit: IFBB Pro

When you stop to think about it, it's a great way to make the Olympia more special then it already is. Yes, this does mean there will be LESS competitors on the Olympia stage from this point forward, but the Olympia is supposed to represent the absolute BEST of this industry, right? I have no problem with it. Besides, For those divisions that might lack a few competitors, invites could be issued. So placing in the top 3 in ANY competition is still important, as it can do a long way in possibly seeing yourself on the Olympia stage beginning next year and the years to come. Also, there's men's and women's physique that's going to be part of the Olympia soon. The rest of this year's shows are NOT affected by this rule. This will take place at the start of the 2012 season.

What are YOUR thoughts on the new Olympia qualifications? Post your responses below or send us a tweet to our Twitter at FitGemsNation.

The IFBB Figure One-Piece is NO MORE

News was broken yesterday by IFBBPro.com and Hardbody News. For those that haven't heard, the 2010 New York Pro Figure is officially the last time you will ever see the one-piece in IFBB figure. Below is the advisory notice making the announcement.

From: IFBB Professional League
To: ALL IFBB FIGURE COMPETITORS
Date: Monday, July 12, 2010

Subject: IMMEDIATE ELIMINATION OF 1-PIECE SWIMSUIT ROUND IN PRO FIGURE

At the IFBB New York City Pro Figure on Friday July 9th, several members of the IFBB Professional League Pro Committee were on hand, including Chairman Jim Manion. A meeting was called that included a quorum to discuss the immediate elimination of the 1-Piece Swimsuit Round in the IFBB Pro Figure. This will take effect starting with the 2010 IFBB Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Championships on July 17th. This was originally proposed to take effect at the 2010 IFBB Houston Pro Figure as stated on Advisory Notice from Tuesday, June 15th. All IFBB Pro Figure competitions from this date forward will only consist of one (1) round, the 2-Piece Swimsuit. This includes the 2010 Figure Olympia.

We will see this officially take place at the Europa Super Show in Hartford, which will be toward the end of the month. It will be interesting if this will alter some competitors placings, or better yet, step up some of the figure competitors games' up. For figure, it's now one and done, so you have one chance to do it right.

Let me throw this out there: You can have the best physique on the planet...but if you don't present it like you own it, then don't expect to place like you should. There's this old saying about "having your cake and eating it to", right?! Let me translate that to figure terms: Have YOUR physique and OWN IT! :)

Major Change in IFBB Figure

Pro figure competitors, say goodbye to the one-piece swimsuit round! Yesterday, Isaac Hinds broke the news on Hardbody News. For those that haven't heard about it, here's the press release on it:


FROM: IFBB Professional League
TO: ALL FIGURE COMPETITORS
DATE: Tuesday, June 15, 2010

SUBJECT: RULE CHANGE

Please be advised that starting with the 2010 Houston Pro Figure competition and all Pro Figure competitions after the 2010 Figure Olympia, there will only be one round in IFBB Pro Figure – the Two-Piece Swimsuit.



This is MAJOR news, as now pro figure competitors basically have a one and done deal. Bring it to win it, and you've got one chance to do it in. Some people have question the point of a one-piece in the first place. Now it looks like it will be a thing of the past. For those that for some reason stink in the one-piece round yet are pretty darn decent in the two-piece round, your chances of improving your ranks have went up a bit. :)

Personally I like the move for a few reasons. First, it's will be cheaper to do a show, as you won't have to get two suits. Second, with the addition of bikini and subtracting of the one piece and mandatory routine rounds in fitness, pro shows should (emphasis on SHOULD) even out in terms of time. Third, it forces those who slid by a bit in the two-piece round and let themselves shine in the one-piece round to step their game up and bring their absolute best, as NOTHING will be hidden from this point forward.

I know there are other reasons out there, but thosw were some that came out of my head. I wouldn't be surprised if this change in the pro figure division redefines the division to a certain extent. What are your thoughts on it. Should the one-piece have remained? Did the IFBB make the right move? Voice your opinions below.

Notice to All IFBB Fitness Pros

This was posted today, and news was broken first by Issac and Sioux, so I'd thought I'd pass this along as well to all IFBB Fitness Pros. Read the notice below from the IFBB office. I expect consequences should this not be taken seriously:

Source: http://www.ifbbpro.com/news/ifbb-pro-advisory-notice-011510/