SIGN UP EARLY
Signing up in advance allows you to receive your competitor package in the mail which includes your athlete number, your free t-shirt which you can wear to let others know you are competing soon, all documents and forms, and any sponsor gifts.
TANNING
Athletes tend to look better on stage when they are dark so it is a good idea for athletes to pretan either outside or indoors. Try to avoid tanning creams the day of the contest as they tend to streak, look unnatural, &/or get too dark. Also be careful around your face. You may want to use proper face makeup to match the colour of the rest of your body. View our Taning Article
STAGE PRESENCE
Always come to the stage prepared. That means in terms of your physique, your confidence, your walk, your poses and your turns. Everything should look graceful. Keep your head up. Stand straight. Don't look down. Feel free to add your own personality or signature into your presentation.Show your personality, confidence, poise and personal flair. Walk with ease and style.Never play with your suits or talk to your neighbor. Remember that the judges can evaluate you at any moment while you are on stage! View ourStage Presence Article
POSEDOWN
Bodybuilders & Figure Athletes:Once the house music is turned up loud, and the emcee announces 'POSEDOWN' athletes have the opportunityto outpose and outdo each other. Sometimes it helps to practice your posing sequence ahead of time. Other times it's fun to play around with the athletes and audience. The point is that you want to be noticed by scouts, sponsors, judges and photographers. Bring attention to yourself and 'posedown'! This is your time to shine!
REMEMBER YOUR SYMMETRY
Look straight ahead rather than down at the judges. Sometimes it's good to catch the judges eye but if your head is down too much it will throw off your symmetry. Remember that posture is always important. Stand tall, shoulders back, chin up.
YELL YOUR NAME
Ensure your fans, friends, family and your trainer all attend your event. It is ideal they can sit together in one section & even all wear one color. Tell them to yell your name and clap loud when you perform. This does amazing things for your overall performance. Ask them to shout out when you need to remember to hold your posture, smile or contract a certain muscle. Hearing their voice and feeling their extra energy is all you need! Plus, getting applause once your name is called is very uplifting and can help bring up your score!
PROJECTION
Walk with your head up to exude confidence and poise! Try to connect with the crowd. Be the centre of attention. Smiling also helps. This is your time to Shine!
POSING OILS
Bodybuilders & Figure Athletes: Posing oils help to accentuate your musculature. Be careful not to lather it on as too shiny can detract from your physique.
TATTOOS
Many athletes have tattoos. Generally tattoos are fine, however, if they are large or covering up your muscle definition, you may want to try to cover them up with a product such as Dermablend.
PIERCINGS
Navel piercings, earrings, nose rings etc. are fine.
ACCESSORIES
Keep accessories down to a minimum for the symmetry round. Earrings are okay.
ROUTINES
Anything you include in your routine should only be included if you are able to perform the movement with complete accuracy and ease. It's best not to 'chance' something for risk of losing marks. Pay attention to the music you select to ensure it fits with your personal style, purpose or theme. The music selection itself can help your overall performance, especially if you make it unique. When choosing to use props or themes, make sure you are using them effectively as part of your routine. Although a prop can add to the entertainment value of a routine, you are not given a higher score just for having one. So if you choose to use a prop be sure to incorporate it within the choreography and make it a part of your routine. Prop set up & tear down must not take longer than 20 seconds, as this just delays the show for everyone. If you have any large or unusual props such as dry ice, smoke or pyrotechnics, please contact us. Keep in mind that the judges see hundreds of routines so try to include something unique to you and grab their attention.
BACKSTAGE
Backstage is limited only to athletes and trainers. Friends and family are not allowed backstage as this causes too much congestion and chaos. Plus, when there are just athletes and trainers it allows everyone to bond, make new friends, network and assist one another. [Add hyperlink to the article on Backstage Pass]
MUSIC
All music should be in audio format, not data format (eg MP3). Test out your music on a regular CD player (NOT a DVD player). Music selection and its recording can make or break your routine. Although you are not getting judged on your music itself, if the sound quality is not great (or if there is profanity) it could impact the judge's impression. So please have your music professionally recorded by a proper DJ at a high quality (as it will be played loud). This will ensure there is no background static or pops, and that transitions between songs are smooth and volume is consistent. As well, professional recordings allow for special effects, accents, climax building and allows you to sync your poses to the music. If you are burning your CD from your computer, please ensure that it's nothing less than 192 KBPS // 44 KHZ. I
Music must be submitted at the Athlete Meeting. Always keep a backup at the event (should it be required) and leave the original at home. If you want your CD back it will be your responsibility to request it from the DJ that night. Otherwise all music will be discarded.
Select music that best shows your personality and allows you to be creative. Avoid lyrics with profanity as you could lose marks. Music should have good beats &/or rhythm changes that are specific to your routine. To signify the end of your routine it's a good idea to have your music end or fade out. When athletes leave in the middle of the song it leaves the audience feeling that the routine was not as polished.
If there are any technical difficulties with your music please remember that you are still being judged. Your reaction and how you handle the situation will be noted. Please also note, that any time there is a technical issue, you will be permitted to start your routine over. Just bring this to the attention of the stage manager.
If you need the contact information of a reputable DJ please contact us.
MULTIPLE CATEGORIES
Bring as many CDs as the number of categories that you are competing in. So if you compete in 2 categories, make sure to bring 2 CDs. This is very important for the event administration and smooth running of the show.
ATHLETE MEETING
Athletes or their Trainer must be at the Athlete Meeting prior to the event. It is the athlete responsibility to ensure someone is there to hand in their music, ask any questions, and fill out any remaining paperwork. The athlete meeting is the time when the show format will be discussed, when all questions will be answered, when category openings are announced (allowing those in attendance to select an additional category), and when the competitor sequence will be announced. Only those athletes who registered in advance will be eligible to receive the sponsor gifts that are distributed at the meeting.
DRUG TESTING
Please familiarize yourself with WNSO's Drug Testing Policy.All athletes will be viewed by the Physique Screening Panel the day of the competition during their first round.Select athletes will be sent for further questioning based on if they fall outside the standard height-weight ratio and/or display other questionable signs of possible banned substance use. In addition, athletes may also be urine tested and/or asked to undergo a Voice Stress Analysis Test (lie detector). Please note that WNSO also performs random testing out of competition as well. If you are selected to partake in this random test, you must comply.Should athletes not show for a requested drug test, or refuse to get tested, that athlete may be banned from the event, future WNSO events and will lose any title they may have won.
Banned substances include all products that are not sold over the counter in North America. Non-natural diuretics, steroids, beta blockers, stimulants, anabolic agents/androgens, testosterone,prohormones, Growth Hormone, Andro, Peptide, Glycoprotein Hormones and all derivatives are banned. Ephedrine can be used within the recommended dosage. We do not test for recreational drugs, except cocaine which is a stimulant. Herbal diuretics are fine.
Presciption Medication :Athletes must provide a signed letter from their doctor indicating their medical condition and its specific requirement, the prescription bottle of medication bearing the athletes name, physicians name, drug name and dosage strength. Prescription meds will only cause 'issue' should that athlete also have a visiblyenhanced physique or a height-weight ratio that is also off. If an athlete is uncertain whether a particular product or medication may be a concern he/she should be advised to contact the Head Judge prior to the event registration to determine an appropriate course of action. However, this does not mean that the athlete will be given a pass. They will still have to undergo the same drug testing procedures as all other athletes. View our Drug Testing Article Here and A Physique Screen One Here.
RELIABILITY / PUNCTUALITY
It is your responsibility (or your trainers responsibility) that you show up to the event on time for your division. If you miss your time on stage, unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done as the judging must be done in a particular order. If you decide to leave the backstage area, you must ensure you are ready in time for your division to go on stage. Anyone who misses their cue will be cut from the contest.
ATTITUDE
A positive attitude is very important. Keep this in mind, even if you are disappointed or angry at a judging call, at another athlete, for making a mistake, for slipping can not resort to swearing and heated arguments at the event. They will be disqualified from that event &/or future events. There is a penalty for profanity & a poor attitude on stage
SHOW CHECK LIST
Do you have yours? Be sure to make up a list well in advance of the competition so that you remember to bring everything you need (& more). Generally if there is something that you forgot, someone else would have remembered, or you can ask the stage manager to check the Show Supply Bin. View our Show Checklist Article
HAVE FUN!
Sure it's a competition, but it's meant to be fun. Enjoy the experience!
