Downsizing

**GirlyMuscle** · 11-07-2011, 09:04 AM

I'm still really confused.

I'm going to be blatant about this so I can make my point. I do not mean to hurt anyone's feelings and I'm not singling anyone out. I'm just curious about the whole downsizing thing. Seems to me that the NPC/IFBB wanted to reduce the drugged up, hyooge behemoths that we've seen on a women's bodybuilding stage by creating the WP. I think they're trying to get rid of the female mass monsters (think Jana Linke Sippl) and get back to the look of the late 80s (think Cory Everson).

So my question is why do the girls in the sport of fbbing think they ALL have to downsize to be WP? I'm seeing journals where girls who compete at lightweight or just broke into middleweight all of the sudden stripping off muscle like there's no tomorrow (I know it's not that easy but it's the intent). I think a lot of them would do just fine with the muscle they have and just softening the conditioning a tad.

**The Prodigy** · 11-07-2011, 01:20 PM

Because the girls who are going pro and placing in WP look like large versions of figure...so as a fbber you have to strip off muscle to look the way the judges want you to look to compete and do well......

The bigger physique girls aren't placing well....

Just my opinion......

**jewelisa** · 11-07-2011, 03:43 PM

From I have been reading I think there are several reasons why the gals are making the switch. Nothing negative just personal decisions.

**SallyAnne** · 11-07-2011, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by jewelisa

From I have been reading I think there are several reasons why the gals are making the switch. Nothing negative just personal decisions.

She's not asking why they're switching. She's asking why they're losing muscle when some of them are already small.

GM,
I was at every national show this past year and can tell you that even some of the lightweights don't make good WP competitors if they have a bodybuilding structure. (Bodybuilding = X factor. Figure and WP = Y factor)

Example:

Brenda Betia is a LW and won the 2011 USA LW class. She looks great, but stand her next to a class A WP competitor, and her shape is wrong.

Class A WP winner at the 2011 USA's - Patricia Wood.

**sassy69** · 11-07-2011, 03:58 PM

Exactly ^^

Given all we have to work w/ so far are the 5-6 shows that have it this year - the "shape", at least to my eye, is distinctly Figure vs BB. Regardless of size, there seems to be a pretty distinct "shape" (or silhouette if you want to think like that) between the competitors who came from BB, small or not, still a distinct shape, and those who came from Figure. They have been rewarding the Figure shape. I think Tracy is the only one coming from the FBB side, however she has been on the Figure side as well.

I also think at the moment they are starting w/ a softer look because it is sort of inevitable that it trends towards the harder look over time. I think you're really going to see that once the pros are able to move from FBB to WPD and will definitely change the competitor range from what has been rewarded w/ a pro card so far this year. Even among the pro Figure girls I think there's an additional level of muscle mass & maturity that isn't really seen at the amateur level, or among those amateur WPD competitors coming from Figure. So I think in the interest of being able to viably compete in WPD, it is sort of necessary to downsize, and in the vein of a smaller physique.

Just from a practicality standpoint, if you've got a lot of muscle mass already and then just go soft, it still looks soft. I think they are looking for a sleeker look as well. A lot of muscle soft really looks shitty on stage w/ protan & bright lights.

**tammyp** · 11-08-2011, 05:35 AM

i am way too thick still as bber to go wpd. and im on stage at 125. i need to be way under 120 to be competitive.

**GirlyMuscle** · 11-08-2011, 08:44 AM

So what are girls supposed to do that do not have a figure/physique structure? Not all of us are blessed with a tiny waist, etc....

**SallyAnne** · 11-08-2011, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by GirlyMuscle

So what are girls supposed to do that do not have a figure/physique structure? Not all of us are blessed with a tiny waist, etc....

My honest opinion? It's like figure. If you don't have the structure to begin with, you probably won't do well.

Dave told me that he believes the majority of women who try to cross to WP from BB will be unsuccessful because of structure.

**Suzanne** · 11-08-2011, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by GirlyMuscle

So what are girls supposed to do that do not have a figure/physique structure? Not all of us are blessed with a tiny waist, etc....

1. You train how you want to train
2. You look how you want to look
3. Enjoy the journey

If you do well in show you do if you don't you don't
but if you do 1,2 and 3 placings won't matter because you are happy with yourself that is all you can do and all you can control

And when you do win it will mean all that much more because you enjoyed the entire process and can look in the mirror everyday and like what you see

**shankuan** · 11-08-2011, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Suzanne

1. You train how you want to train
2. You look how you want to look
3. Enjoy the journey

If you do well in show you do if you don't you don't
but if you do 1,2 and 3 placings won't matter because you are happy with yourself that is all you can do and all you can control

And when you do win it will mean all that much more because you enjoyed the entire process and can look in the mirror everyday and like what you see

^^^^ THIS!!! Couldn't have said it better myself.

**sassy69** · 11-08-2011, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by SallyAnne

My honest opinion? It's like figure. If you don't have the structure to begin with, you probably won't do well.

Dave told me that he believes the majority of women who try to cross to WP from BB will be unsuccessful because of structure.

This is where I'm going back to my first show and looking at that shape. Obviously things have changed in 12 yrs but the foundation is still there.

Like Suzanne said - if you do it for anything other than personal satisfaction & challenging yourself, you're not going to come up short. Particularly if the ranks swell like Figure, there are going to be a LOT of frustrations w/ people who don't win. There it becomes a numbers game. I think of all the guys I know who have been competing for 25 yrs and MAYBE got a pro card. Kinda the same statistical problem. But you just can't keep coming back to the stage if you don't enjoy the ride. The goal needs to be the ride and not the stage.

At least I like to think that. The stage is one place you can get some critique relative to certain criteria, but just like not every one is built for Olympic sprinting or long distance, doesn't mean you can't still go for a run every now & then.

And at least for me, this particular run will also be able seeing what it looks like at the end. Won't know until I get there.

**SallyAnne** · 11-08-2011, 11:24 AM

Sass, I actually think you have the right shape.

Same with Tammy if she can get back to her pre-pro size.

**sassy69** · 11-08-2011, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by SallyAnne

Sass, I actually think you have the right shape.

Same with Tammy if she can get back to her pre-pro size.

Sweet!

**GirlyMuscle** · 11-08-2011, 04:17 PM

There's a perfect example. Sassy, I think you already have the look. I know I'm not an educated judge but I don't see why you'd have to do any major downsizing. You have a great look now without trying to burn off muscle in my opinion.