The International Federation of Bodybuilding was established in 1946 by Joe and Ben Weider, for male bodybuilding competition. It may have started out as a sport for men, but women started competing in the IFBB at the professional level in 1980 with the Ms. Olympia competition. Since then there have been three other categories that women can compete in under the IFBB or the amateur organization, National Physique Committee. Now girls have a choice to be bodybuilders, fitness, figure or bikini competitors.
Traditional Bodybuilding
Female bodybuilders try to add lean muscle mass much like male bodybuilders, with very little body fat. In a bodybuilding competition women will have a comparison round where they are put up on-stage in groups and instructed to perform mandatory poses that show off their muscle definition and balance. There is also a round where they perform a posing routine set to music. In this round competitors can show off their physique and personality.
Fitness
Fitness is softer than bodybuilding, in that the competitors do not take their body fat as low, and are not looking to add a lot of muscle mass. Instead they are looking to be athletic in appearance. Women compete in a two-piece swimsuit comparison round with heels, but there is no posing like bodybuilding. Instead judges are looking at your shape from different angles. There is also a fitness routine round set to music. Competitors show off their strength, flexibility and any gymnastics training. They can show off their personality and their physical fitness.
Figure
Figure competitors are looking for the same type of physique as fitness competitors, but there is no fitness routine. Competitors compete in a two-piece swimsuit and heels, and are judged from all angles against other contestants. The goal is an athletic appearance with wide shoulders and slim hips and thighs.
Bikini
The Bikini division is the newest category included in the NPC and IFBB for women. In this category women are still very lean, but are not looking for the same muscle definition that bodybuilders, fitness and figure competitors aim for. It is a softer look, and competitors are judged in a two-piece swimsuit and high heels. Judges compare based on balance and poise, as well as overall physical appearance. You are also only judged from the front and back, no side views like the other three categories.
