What do the Judges really want to see?

I spent a good few years behind the judging table and had the absolute privilege of judging 100s of athletes across federations and classes and theres a few things that I picked up on being said about what “the judges want to see” which just isn’t true! Judges (and I have worked with enough of them) are just bodybuilders or ex bodybuilders they think the same as us so sometimes you just need to think what you would like to see.

The first one please don’t stare the judges out, I was given this advice and I’ve heard it so many times make eye contact and hold that with the judges, yes look in their direction every now and then smile at them etc but please don’t stare them out, I personally found this and worse if I had the mic or was sat centre girls would stare at me and not break eye contact, it actually feels really uncomfortable and a bit creepy and I want them on and off stage as quick as possible.

Similar to the first point but blowing kisses at judges and winking, kisses out into the audience if thats really your vide or your doing fitness fashion okay, but personally I wouldn’t in the UK but kisses at a judge or winking again makes them feel uncomfortable again this doesn’t necessarily apply when fitness fashion fed such as pure elite and FMG come into play but normal bodybuilding I would steer clear.

The glute touch, now this was popular a couple years ago and thankfully was stamped out pretty quickly but every now and then it does pop up again, do not be touching and caressing your glutes as you pose its very distasteful and again the judges feel extremely uncomfortable, on the same point the over bend in the rear pose often seen in wellness the judges know to look at your glutes but pushing them back too far will not only flatten them out but also becomes distasteful, remember you are being judged by both female and male judges so if you wouldn’t pose like that in front of your dad then I would be re thinking that posing style.

Confidence is something the judges love to see but not arrogance people up there having fun and enjoying themselves its a long day on the panel so when people are bringing the vibes its much more enjoyable, have fun and if you mess up a little bit the judges don’t care most of them have been in your shoes and have probably messed up themselves I know I have they understand its potentially your first time up there and many of them will be cheering you on too, they want you to enjoy it.

A great physique, honestly you feel the whole energy of that panel move when you have a class come on when everyone is on the money because thats where the little details matter and you really get into the nitty gritty of judging, its exciting and something they love to see.

Fight for your placing, (not physically of course) but when you know your in a good line up fight for it, I’ve seen girls go from second call outs to top 3 because they fought for it but I’ve also seen first place go to 4th because they just didn’t pose up when arguably there physique was probably better, they didn’t show case it, they gave up acted like they didn’t want to be there relaxed side of stage, you want that top 3 placing? act like it hold your poses strong, stand tall and act with grace every time they move you.

The final thing is probably the most important, respect. The day might not go as you planned but thats okay next week it might, act respectful congratulate the other athletes on stage with you on their placings, ask the judges for feedback and take it on board, you may question a panels choice but respect it, if its that bad don’t do that show again but most judges work for free or for very little pay they give up their weekends and they are long long days rudeness has no place but respect and kindness goes a long way especially in such a tight industry.

Bit of a different one this week but I thought I would really give you an insight onto some of what goes on when judging that isn’t just what they are looking for physique wise as I don’t think this is really spoken about enough, the other thing there is a lot of on the panel on show day is alot of caffeine consumption! if you have any questions for me off the back of this one please drop me a dm I would love to answer them for you.