AMID the oversized bulging, veiny muscles of female bodybuilding -- and what some dismiss as women's heads plopped on men's bodies -- comes a competition for the less ... intense.
The look is still muscular and cut. Competitors must have strong definition in their upper bodies, abs and legs, emphasized by exceptionally low body fat -- but without the heavy striation and veining seen in bodybuilding.
Called "figure" competition, the division is new to the bodybuilding circuit, but growing -- fast. Some early amateur competitions about five years ago brought out 75 women; now the same shows draw 200-plus.
"It's a boomer, I'll tell you what," said Jim Manion, president of the National Physique Committee, an amateur bodybuilding federation (the professional arm is the Ben Weider-founded International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness). "It's done so well. And it keeps women in the gym training."
Although the bodybuilding and hard-core fitness worlds didn't embrace figure competition at first, it's now welcomed with bear hugs. The physiques are attainable by almost any woman -- without the help of banned substances -- and the sport is praised for providing a more palatable image of fit, strong women.
As it continues to expand and attract mainstream audiences, figure competition might even change the image of hard-core bodybuilding.
In figure competition, the emphasis is on the feminine. Curves are compulsory. Competitors wear high heels, makeup, jewelry, sparkly swimsuits, and in some contests, evening gowns. Facial beauty is prized. The division emerged on the scene when numbers for fitness competitions started dropping several years ago, according to Manion. In those contests, competitors show off not only their physiques (still not as big as bodybuilders), but also perform a demanding aerobic routine. Once a mainstay of ESPN programming, fitness competitions began to dwindle because of a limited pool of women who have cut biceps, can do 20 one-handed push-ups and look awesome in a bikini.
Also, women who had competed for years were experiencing overuse injuries but were still looking for a way to stay in the game. Promoters were looking for a way to keep bodies on stage and ticket sales up.
But the evolution was also prompted by a reaction to female bodybuilders' physiques, according to Steve Downs, chairman of the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation, a pro group that also includes figure (the amateur wing is the International Natural Bodybuilding Federation).
