The Package by Rebecca Slatt

Last month’s column, I requested to hear from you all.

I heard a lot less than I thought I would! So, those of you who didn’t respond to me, you have NO right to complain about your placings and I am assuming that you are satisfied with the IFBB pro cards which were awarded this year.

Rebecca Slatt

The majority of comments were regarding standards to be set by the judging. This is a tough issue to argue about; however, one must remember that not every competitor looks their best at 6 percent body fat. Some look better at 9 or 10 percent.
Let me remind you of the “package” concept, and that each competitor should present an individual look to best represent her greatest assets to the panel of judges. Also, remember that every judge has an individual preference in what is appealing. Not every judge wants to see vascularity and not every judge wants to see curves. Genetics play a major role in how each competitor will look at her very best. Muscle shape will appear differently with different levels of body fat present.

What you SHOULD think about are the attributes which ALL judges unite upon.
A beautiful V-TAPER, well-conditioned backside, confidence on-stage, and flawless posing and transitions are attributes of most IFBB pro competitor. Every competitor wanting to earn her IFBB status must have these assets in combination with physique, hair, makeup, suits, and stage presence.

With that, I will list comments I received via email, and I was not at all surprised when none of the contributors wanted their names mentioned. Here are a few of the comments and complaints I received:

-Figure girls should be more than a pro-tanned barbie-doll
-Master’s division should begin at 40 yrs of age
-Jumping height classes to bypass competition should not be allowed
- Girls awarded pro cards in NY were not conditioned enough
-Too many girls are forgetting to train calves (competitors should be complete)

Overlooked competitors:
Melody Manlove
Monica Mark
Misty Green
Bree Marsh

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