If you’ve ever wanted to be seen in the pages or even on the cover of a fitness magazine, then this is the category for you. “Fit,” “athletic,” “marketable” and “charismatic” are some of the words that could be used to describe the ideal fitness model competitor.
For examples of an ideal look for female Fitness Models, competitors can refer to a magazine such as Oxygen or Strong Fitness Magazine. As a reference for male Fitness Models, competitors can refer to a magazine such as Men’s Health for an ideal look. After referring to many of the fitness models in these magazines, you will see there is no one ideal level of musculature or body fat; it is what looks best in relation to the competitors’ skeletal frames and is marketable.
Note to women: the Fitness Model category would be suitable for a number of different physiques and thus, Bikini, Women’s Fitness, Wellness and Figure physiques would all be suitable.
There are two equally scored rounds in the Fitness Model category: swimwear and sportswear. At UFE Halloween Mayhem, participants have the option of replacing the sportswear with a costume.
Divisions Within the Category:
Men and women may participate in as many divisions in which they are eligible. For example, a woman competing at the Open level that is 45 years of age may compete in the Masters 45 division and the appropriate height class.
Novice Level
No divisions.
Open Level
By Age
Masters 35 – for women 35 years of age and above
Masters 45 – for women 45 years of age and above
*UFE may combine these divisions at our sole discretion.
Masters – for men 40 years of age and above
By Height Class
Provided there are at least 10 competitors in the category, UFE will separate women into short and tall classes. UFE uses a median height system in which all women below the median height are placed in the short class, while women above the median height are placed in the tall class. This ensures each class has an equal number of competitors. The median height will change from event to event based on the heights of the competitors at a particular event.
*there are no height classes for men
Elite Level
Masters divisions for men and women 40 years of age and above at the UFE World Championships only.
Professional Level
Masters division for men and women 40 years of age and above at the UFE World Championships only. Subject to the sole discretion of UFE.
Protocol and Judging
There are two equally scored rounds in the Fitness Model category: swimwear and sportswear (or costume for UFE Halloween Mayhem only). In both of these rounds, competitors will be asked to come out on stage individually and walk to 3 predetermined points on the stage. During this walk, judges are looking for poise and confidence of the competitor. The style of walk is important as this is a model competition so the competitor should walk accordingly. At each of the 3 points on stage, competitors will execute 1-2 freestyle poses, perform any style of turn or have fun and play up their outfit in the case of the sportswear or costume round (ie: if the competitor dresses in a baseball outfit, they may pretend to swing a bat or catch a ball etc.). After all 3 points are hit, competitors will go to the back of the stage and line up with the other competitors. Once a predetermined number of competitors are in the lineup, they will all be asked to come forward and execute a series of quarter turns for the judges before leaving the stage.
Swimwear Round
(50% of score) For females, this round will be performed in a two piece swimsuit and high heels. Judges will be looking for developed muscles with some visible separation. Judges would like to see lean, symmetrical physiques that include even distributions of bodyfat and muscle, and an ideal waist to hip ratio. Poise and confidence of the competitors is important as is attractiveness and presentation.
For males this round will be performed in vale tudo style trunks and either barefoot or suitable footwear (ie: sandals). Judges would like to see developed and proportionate muscles with visible separation. Competitors should also have low bodyfat, visible definition, and broad shoulders with a narrow waist. Poise and confidence are also important, as are attractiveness and presentation.
*note that incorrect swimwear (ie: board shorts for men) will result in demerit points being assessed to the competitor.
Musculature – the competitor should have an athletic look and developed muscle. The competitor should not fit the terms “skinny” or “big” by fitness standards
Conditioning – there should be separation between muscle groups (ie: well defined abs, separation between shoulders and upper arms). Women should not be vascular or striated. Men may have some vascularity.
Symmetry – there should be an aesthetically pleasing balance between the muscle groups
Attractiveness/Marketability – does the competitor have “the look” that a magazine would be looking for? Would we be able to successfully submit the competitor for magazine publication or ad campaigns with a fitness related business?
Confidence/Presentation – the competitor should exude charisma, they should exude confidence and poses should look natural. Bodybuilding poses or poses that look like the competitor is obviously flexing hard are not suitable for this category
Sportswear Round
(50% of score) In the sportswear round, competitors may select anything from a sporty outfit to a yoga outfit to a sport themed costume. There is a lot of room for creativity as long as the outfit looks “sporty” or sports related. Judges are looking at the competitor’s physique and how the chosen outfit compliments the competitor’s physique. As in the swimwear round, judges are looking for poise, confidence, attractiveness and presentation.
NOTE: Some other organizations allow almost any type of theme and costume during this round, but UFE is specifically looking for competitors to wear sportswear or a sports theme as the whole point of the category is to essentially look for people that would make good sports models or sportswear models. Hence, competitors who do not adhere to the guidelines will be assessed demerit points.
Example of Scoring in this Round:
| Competitor # | Attractiveness/ Marketability (5) |
Sportswear (5) | Confidence/ Presentation (5) |
Total (15) |
| 600 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 13 |
| 601 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 13 |
| 602 | 5 | 4 | 4.5 | 13.5 |
*scores will be sorted from high to low and highest scoring competitor will win
Attractiveness/Marketability – does the competitor have “the look” that a magazine would be looking for? Would we be able to successfully submit the competitor for magazine publication or ad campaigns with a fitness related business?
Sportswear – was the sportswear or theme a suitable choice for the competitor? The outfit should complement the physique and the features of the competitor and enhance their presentation.
Confidence/Presentation – the competitor should exude charisma and confidence. The poses should look natural and should be different than the poses in the swimwear round. While posing and presentation in the swimwear round should showcase the physique, the posing and presentation in this round should highlight the personality just as much as the physique.
Example of Scoring in this Swimwear Round:
| Competitor # | Musculature (5) | Conditioning (5) | Symmetry (5) | Attractiveness/ Marketability (5) |
Confidence/ Presentation (5) |
Total (25) |
| 600 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 18 |
| 601 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 25 |
| 602 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 22 |
*scores will be sorted from high to low and highest scoring competitor will win
Costume Round (UFE Halloween Mayhem ONLY)
NOTE: this is NOT an extra round and is simply an OPTION to replace the sportswear round at UFE Halloween Mayhem ONLY.
This is an opportunity for competitors to get creative. Competitors can select nearly anything they wish to wear in this round from sportswear/sport themed costumes to ghoulish Halloween costumes. Judges are looking at the competitors’ creativity and how their chosen costume reflects their physique. Again, poise and confidence as well as attractiveness and presentation are all key factors in how the competitor is scored in this round.
Keep in mind, that there will be a prize for best costume at UFE Halloween Mayhem. If a competitor would like to be in contention for this, the costume round should replace the sportswear round. However, scoring will NOT be affected by a competitor’s choice to wear a costume or not.
OTHER POINTS AND TIPS TO REMEMBER FOR THE FITNESS MODEL COMPETITOR:
- Competitors should keep in mind that the judges are looking at them at all times. For this reason competitors should never stand totally relaxed on stage and should keep a positive attitude at all times.
- Trainers, make-up artists, friends are not allowed backstage with the competitors. This is to prevent overcrowding in the dressing areas. Should a competitor need assistance, there will be volunteer staff to help them out.
- Tatoos, piercings, etc. are acceptable.
- Don’t necessarily try to select the most unique sportswear in an attempt to stand out. It is better to select something that looks great on you, is marketable, and gives you an opportunity to bring a strong, charismatic presentation to the stage.
- Try to always show confidence by keeping your head up and executing your turns and poses with surety. Remember in all subjective sports, poise and confidence will affect the way judges perceive you.
- Swimwear bottoms should cover about 30% of the glutes while swimwear tops should cover about 40% of the chest. Significant deviations from this will cause demerit points to be assessed to the competitor.
- Remember to follow the 1-2 pose guideline at each point on stage. Demerit points will be given to competitors who do more than 2 poses at any given point. A pose is considered any position held for 2 seconds or more.
- In the event of a tie, the highest and lowest scores from the competitors in the tie will be dropped.
