Should Facial Beauty Be Considered When Judging Female Bodybuilding?

[Miss Muscle]

I believe facial beauty should not be considered but rather presentation. Stage presence counts for alot.

Obviously bodybuilding is based on the physique but stage presence counts and if you are going to get up on stage at least make yourself presentable.

I feel if you have 2 similar phsiques with similar conditioning, shape, symmetry, etc....the deciding factor will have to be the total package including hair and make-up.

Note I didn't say who was prettier because you can't control your facial features but who actually makes an effort to look good.

 

[Miss Muscle]

There was a bit of controversy this year at the Arnold amateur over this woman not taking the overall. Notice her hair is sloppy.

 

[Miss Muscle]

Here is the woman that beat her....she is less conditioned but she took some time on her hair and make-up.

I believe the presentation could have made the difference since the first girl had better conditioning.

 

[push-it]

That first girl got ripped off. That's not even close. If one is better than the other physique-wise, everything else shouldn't come into play. I would only consider "presentation" if they were almost identical in scores otherwise.

But on a side note the Arnold was all about softer looks for the females, maybe this was a statement in that direction, like the figure - that was all screwed up too.

 

[Miss Muscle]

Take a look at this comparison of heavy, middle, and lightweight.

 

[Miss Muscle]

I actually like the middleweight physique the best. Her shape is phenomenal. She has nicer symmetry than the other two but isn't as conditioned. I don't mind less conditioning when the shape is flawless.

I think it came down to color and presentation because one has the conditioning and the other has the shape. What's left.....presentation.

It's a hard go....they both looked so good as did the lightweight.

 

[outlawtas]

At such spotlighted competitions you find that judges also pick who they think represents the sport the best. If someone didn't take the time to do their hair, it's almost a sign of disrespect. Facial beauty isn't important IMO, but stuff like tanning, posing gear, etc should and does count for something.

 

[TheMilkMan]

I'll tell you one thing, I was at the Arnold and was fortunate to meet some great people, men and women at all different weight classes both in competition and in their "off season". I'm not saying whether or not facial beauty or overall presentation should be judged, but I can't help but to say that the women who were more attractive in the face and had an overall package were more pleasing to the eye.

For example, IMO the lightweight winner (#3, blonde, right in the comparison) looks way better overall than the other do. I might be bias though because I cannot critique a woman's body without taking into account the sexual appeal aspect, which is largely influenced by overall presentation and facial beauty.

I'm just putting my spin on things, maybe the judges are influenced in the same way. Just a thought.

 

[Miss Muscle]

You are right about the judges picking someone who best represents the sport. Bodybuilding is such a cultish underground thing.....it would be nice if it could go mainstream. Mainstream will include sexual appeal and beauty however.

 

[gymlion77]

I'll tell you one thing, I was at the Arnold and was fortunate to meet some great people, men and women at all different weight classes both in competition and in their "off season". I'm not saying whether or not facial beauty or overall presentation should be judged, but I can't help but to say that the women who were more attractive in the face and had an overall package were more pleasing to the eye.

For example, IMO the lightweight winner (#3, blonde, right in the comparison) looks way better overall than the other do. I might be bias though because I cannot critique a woman's body without taking into account the sexual appeal aspect, which is largely influenced by overall presentation and facial beauty.

I'm just putting my spin on things, maybe the judges are influenced in the same way. Just a thought.

I understand what you are saying, and agree with it. Although are you just talking BB or fitness/figure? The latter is something that I think is influenced by a more sexual appeal presentation than just body composition.

 

[1badmofo]

I don't think facial beauty should factor in scoring. It doesn't seem to with the males. Having said, that lady is hard to look at. Maybe she over did it with the androgens.

 

[Miss Muscle]

I don't think facial beauty should factor in scoring. It doesn't seem to with the males. Having said, that lady is hard to look at. Maybe she over did it with the androgens.

Alot of females are overdoing it with androgens nowadays. The worst part is that they honestly think they look fine and can't take the criticism.

I still think FEMALE bodybuilding should stay fairly female.

 

[brother1ray]

Facial attractiveness shouldn't count you're right! But discernible femininity with muscle makes a far more attractive winner!

For that reason, I don't know if it would do women's bodybuilding any good to have a Collette Guimond or Rennee Toney win a major competition! It's just never going to attract more women into the sport! (To say nothing of the fan base!).

I may get hung for this, but women bodybuilders can be attractive, role models; and they should be!

 

[Ukmuscle]

I actually like the middleweight physique the best. Her shape is phenomenal. She has nicer symmetry than the other two but isn't as conditioned. I don't mind less conditioning when the shape is flawless.

I think it came down to color and presentation because one has the conditioning and the other has the shape. What's left.....presentation.

It's a hard go....they both looked so good as did the lightweight.

The middleweight competitor there Miss Muscle is a perfect example of what Leanne is aiming for.

 

[Miss Muscle]

The middleweight competitor there Miss Muscle is a perfect example of what Leanne is aiming for.

I think that is an excellent goal. It may hard to get quite that muscular without the use of AAS but Elena certainly has a healthy confident look.

If women's bodybuilding is going to continue to exist and start to thrive the judges have no choice but to reward a physique/look that will attract more women to the sport.

The heavyweight Maria has done a tremendous job but most do not aspire to look like that and will not be interested in stepping on stage if that is what they are against. It's obvious Maria has done some extreme things to her body (I'm sure the others have as well) and most women do not want to risk permanent androgenization.

 

[Ukmuscle]

I think that is an excellent goal. It may hard to get quite that muscular without the use of AAS but Elena certainly has a healthy confident look.

If women's bodybuilding is going to continue to exist and start to thrive the judges have no choice but to reward a physique/look that will attract more women to the sport.

The heavyweight Maria has done a tremendous job but most do not aspire to look like that and will not be interested in stepping on stage if that is what they are against. It's obvious Maria has done some extreme things to her body (I'm sure the others have as well) and most women do not want to risk permanent androgenization.

She understands Elena would have used AAS, it's just a case of doing it sensible when on AAS; starting off on a sensible substance (Anavar) at a sensible dose (5mg daily) then increasing throughout the cycle, then introducing other substances, after that stack them. Would it be correct to say Elena would have used AAS in a more sensible / controlled method, to maintain her looks whilst add that extra muscle? Maria's body is very impressive, she has been focused purely on increasing her mass to her desired level.

 

[Miss Muscle]

She understands Elena would have used AAS, it's just a case of doing it sensible when on AAS; starting off on a sensible substance (Anavar) at a sensible dose (5mg daily) then increasing throughout the cycle, then introducing other substances, after that stack them. Would it be correct to say Elena would have used AAS in a more sensible / controlled method, to maintain her looks whilst add that extra muscle? Maria's body is very impressive, she has been focused purely on increasing her mass to her desired level.

It's hard to say. One would assume BUT every woman reacts differently to AAS.

Some women will get next to nothing on anavar while others will get all the side effects. That is why one has to start off very cautiously.

 

[push-it]

I wouldn't mind ending up a bit smaller and considerably softer (obviously not competing) than the lightweight. I wonder if that's possible with no AAS.

 

[Miss Muscle]

I wouldn't mind ending up a bit smaller and considerably softer (obviously not competing) than the lightweight. I wonder if that's possible with no AAS.

You should post a pic of the body you want to achieve!

 

[push-it]

I've never looked at anyone and been like "I want to look just like that!" I just look at myself and think, "More tris, less traps, more abs, more hams," and it's kind of like one of those paintings that takes forever to finish because you keep messing with it. I wouldn't mind, however, having a back like this (at competition).

Here's another good body pic but it's at comp level bf again. I tend to walk around at 12-15%bf, so I would look softer (and less orange).

My body looks almost exactly like this right now.