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The NPC Board of Governor's Meeting during the Nationals in Atlanta, GA, and they have made several significant changes that competitors should be aware of:

1. Elimination of the one piece swimsuit round for both Fitness and Figure.

2. Qualification for a national show has been changed from 2 years to 1 year. You will be qualified for whatever remains of the year you qualified in, plus the full calendar year following.

3. Your qualification will be good for only the division you qualified in. Meaning if you qualified in fitness you can compete in fitness at nationals, not in any other division (figure, bodybuilding or bikini). You can qualify for different divisions at different shows.

4. Introduction of Bikini division. Bikini division will have the same height classes as Figure. Bikini competitors cannot crossover into any other division at the same event. Bikini will wear a two piece suit, not necessarily a "figure" two piece, but they could be the same suit, suit bottom must be v-shaped, no thongs permitted. Heels can be the clear acrylic but not necessarily recommended. Bikini competitors may wear jewelry. Competitors will walk on stage individually, walking to center, doing a full turn, not four model poses like figure, then walk to stage right, then all competitors will be brought to the center line and compared facing front and facing back only. Judges will be scoring on balance and shape and overall physical appearance including complexion, skin tone, poise and overall presentation. Competitors are not to "pose" as in figure with shoulder blades pulled apart and muscles tight. Top 5 in class will qualify for nationals at an NPC national qualifying event.

5. Cost of NPC membership will go up to $85.
Bodybuilding News: 2009 NPC Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness Rule Changes
Sunday November 30, 2008
For those of you who compete in NPC Bodybuilding and Figure Shows, here are the rule changes for the 2009 competitive season:

Rule Changes Applicable to all Contestants:
NPC Membership Card increases to $85.00.
National Qualification valid for only one year as opposed to two.

Rule Changes Applicable to Figure/Fitness Contestants:
The One Piece Suit Round is eliminated.
Height Classes for Figure remain the same.

Rule Changes Applicable to All Female Contestants:
A new Bikini Division was created. Height classes are the same as for Figure.
No more Crossover Qualifications allowed. You are only qualified to compete in the division that you qualified under. So if you qualified for Nationals through the Figure Division, then that is only division that you can compete in at the Nationals.

For more information about these rule changes, visit Bodybuilding Weekly.
http://bodybuilding.about.com/b/2008...le-changes.htm