REGISTERING FOR AN EVENT

How do I register for an event?

Find the event you would like to compete in by viewing our calendar.  Most shows have an online registration.  Promoters will schedule you for a polygraph test for the event you enter, or you will be asked to contact the polygraph examiner to schedule a testing appointment.  The next step is to register for your INBF Membership Card.  Your card will be presented to you at check-in for the competition you identify on your INBF membership application.

Lucia Aguado
2022 WNBF Pro Bikini Tall World Champion

CATEGORIES OF COMPETITION

What categories are offered?

• Bikini
• Bodybuilding - Men
• Bodybuilding - Women
• Figure
• Fit Body
• Men’s Physique
• Teen 15-19 in all categories
• Debut - 1st time competing in the category
  • Debut may also enter novice or open but not both.
• Junior - 23 and Under in all categories
• Masters 40+ in all categories
• Grand Masters 50+
• Ultra Masters 60+

 

Dirk Emmerich
2023 WNBF Pro Lightweight World Champion

Weight Classes (5) - Men's Open Amateur Bodybuilding

• Bantamweight
  • Under 150 lbs (Under 68kg)
• Lightweight
  • 150-165 lbs (68.03-74.84)
• Middleweight
  • 165.25 – 176 lbs (74.95-79.83 kg)
• Light Heavyweight
  • 176.25 – 190 lbs (79.94-86.18 kg)
• Heavyweight
  • Over 190 lbs (Over 86.18 kg)

Weight Classes (3) - Men's Open Amateur Bodybuilding

• Lightweight
  • Under 165 lbs (under 74.84 kg)
• Middleweight
  • 165.25 – 185 (74.95 - 83.91 kg)
• Heavyweight
  • Over 185.25 lbs (Over 83.91 kg)

Women's Bodybuilding

• 1 Class

 

Lisa Lum
3X WNBF Pro World Bodybuilding Champion

Figure, Fit Body, Men's Physique

These categories are further divided by height per promoter discretion.  Cut-offs will be based on the number of entries, fairness in class size, and to maintain competitiveness.

CLASS ENTRY & CROSSOVERS

For INBF Pro Qualifying events, athletes may enter Open OR Novice, NOT BOTH. Crossovers may occur between an age division and Open or Novice, or between categories such as Figure & Fit Body, or Men's Physique and Bodybuilding.

Debut Competitors - 1st time "debut" athletes may cross over into Novice OR Open but Novice is more encouraged because of the more competitive and experienced athletes in the open divisions.  An athlete can't compete in debut, novice, and open in the same category.

Why do you not allow novice to open crossovers?

The INBF does not allow this because the divisions are a totally different mind set.  Novice athletes should have a goal to gain competition experience, and do the best they can.  By not allowing Open competitors to cross back into Novice, this gives people the best chance to compete with other beginners.  It makes for a fair playing field for real Novice competitors.  Open class competitors should have competed before, and are working towards winning Pro status.

What is the definition of Novice?

Novice competitors are either first time competitors, someone who has competed and has not placed, or has not placed top three in an Open class.  If you win a Novice class, you are then required to compete in an Open division.

What is the definition of Junior?

Under 24 years of age

 

Pina Cirasola
2023 WNBF Pro Figure World Champion

Membership

To compete in an INBF event, an athlete must have a current INBF membership.  Memberships are active for 11 months (expiration is the end of the month prior to competition month the next year).  For example if you compete on 7/16/16, your membership will expire 6/30/17.  You may compete in any INBF event during this time frame.  All affiliate membership cards are accepted by the INBF competitions in the U.S.

International Athletes

International athletes are welcome to compete with the INBF (Amateur Affiliate of the WNBF in the United States), or in an affiliate country as long as there is not a WNBF affiliated federation in their country.  If a WNBF affiliate has been established in your country you must purchase that organizations membership card and compete within your country.  To submit a question please do so via our contact page here.

DRUG TESTING

Am I required to take the polygraph?

Yes, we require all competitors to take and pass an intense polygraph.  This test is good for 6 weeks for amateurs and pro's.  If you are entering another INBF or WNBF event please let the show promoter know you have been tested and they will confirm this with a WNBF official.

Can I use another organizations polygraph test?

No.  Because of our strict drug testing policies and 10 year drug free requirement, all competitors must test with our highly skilled and licensed polygraph professionals.

How long does the polygraph take?

The polygraph screening itself is not a long process and is usually completed on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday prior to a Saturday competition.  The pre-screening process by promoters, completing the athlete questionnaire, and multiple other pre-interviews do take significantly more time.  All of the information disclosed during the pre screening process is necessary for our organization and our polygraph examiners to make polygraph test results more reliable and valid.  You should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to fill out paperwork.  Some examiners will require you to submit pre-screening paperwork in advance.  A valid ID, drivers license, or passport also needs to be provided to the polygraph examiner as does any prescription medications.

Am I required to urine test?

All athletes who win a WNBF Pro Qualifying class will submit to mandatory urinalysis testing on the spot.  These urine specimens will be analyzed by our labs in either Utah or California.  After we receive the results athletes are notified of their WNBF Professional status and they may now activate their WNBF Pro card.

WNBF Professional athletes who win prize money always submit to urinalysis testing.  Amateurs and pro's may only wear a posing suit when submitting a urinalysis test in front of a WNBF officials.  WADA chain of custody procedures must be followed by WNBF Officials and the athlete.  Amateurs or pro's who do not submit to urinalysis testing will face disqualification an/or suspension.

Banned Substances/Prescribed Medications:

Please read the banned substance list thoroughly prior to submitting a supplement, or prescription medication question by clicking the envelope below

* An athlete who has failed a polygraph or urinalysis test with any federation must divulge this information prior to registering with the INBF.   Polygraph failures  result in a 10 year to life suspension.

 

Beccy Pateman
2023 WNBF Pro Fit Body World Champion

WORLDWIDE PRO-QUALIFYING CRITERIA

There must be at least Eight (8) competitors in the following categories for a WNBF Pro Card to be awarded.  Athletes MUST beat a minimum of 7 other competitors in a category/class or multiple divisions within a category/class to turn pro.  No exceptions

• Bikini
• Figure
• Men's Bodybuilding
• Men's Physique

There must be at least Five (5) competitors in the following classes for a WNBF Pro Card to be awarded. Athletes MUST beat a minimum of 4 other competitors in a category/class or multiple divisions within a category/class to turn pro.  No exceptions

• Women's Fit Body
• Women's Bodybuilding
• Masters (All categories)

SUPER PRO-QUALIFYING CRITERIA - United States

• Super Pro Qualifiers are granted to larger events.
• If there is more than 1 class in a given division there must be at least eight (8) competitors in that class in order for a WNBF Pro card to be offered - there are no exceptions.  If there are 8 athletes signed up and and a contestant backs out of competing or becomes ill and there is only 7 contestants the day of the show that class is no longer WNBF Pro card eligible.

*Pro Card winners submit a urine specimen the day/evening of the competition!

**WNBF Professionals who place in the money submit to urinalysis testing.  Failure for any athlete to test may result in disqualification and/or suspension.

***WNBF Pro's may be tested on the spot either in our out of season.  Failure to provide a urine specimen to a WNBF Official will carry a lifetime ban from WNBF Professional membership privileges.

Pro's from other organizations – am I eligible for the WNBF?

The WNBF only accepts pro card winners through the INBF and International Affiliate Sanctioned events worldwide.

Seung Hyeon Kim
2023 WNBF Pro Men's Physique Overall World Champion

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP & COMPETING AS A WNBF PRO

Open WNBF Pro's;  Open Pro's are eligible to compete in any WNBF event worldwide except Worlds which requires qualification.  Pro's qualified in multiple categories must select 1 (one) category per event.  No crossovers are allowed.  Pro's who are over the age of 40 are automatically qualified for Pro Masters events.

Masters WNBF Pro's:  People holding Masters Pro cards may Not compete in Open Pro classes unless they ALSO hold an Open Pro Card (ie. won an Open Pro card).

Can I compete in any WNBF Pro event?

The WNBF has Pro events across the country and throughout the year.  If you hold a current WNBF Pro card, you are eligible for all of them.  The only event that requires a qualification is the WNBF World Championship.  To compete in the WNBF World Championships, you need to compete in any WNBF Pro show in the year of the Worlds you are hoping to compete.  You will also be qualified if you have placed top three at the previous year Worlds or won an Overall Pro title any time in the WNBF.

If I win prize money, when do I receive it?

If you win prize money, your checks will be sent within 30 days of receiving urine testing results.  You will be required to fill out a W9 form before we submit payment to you.

I just won my pro card, when do I have to compete?

A new Pro shall FIRST compete in a WNBF Pro event prior to competing with other federations to value their WNBF Professional membership opportunity. Please indicate this debut event when registering for your WNBF Pro Card.