Competition Routines

Aside from your appearance, how you go through your fitness competition routines is one of the main criteria for judging in many fitness contests.  Contestants are often judged according to their appearance, the symmetry of their bodies, grooming, the appearance of each muscle group, as well as how easily the contestant moves from one pose to another.  Grace, poise, and flexibility are also among the top considerations when judges compare participants and score their performances.

Criteria and regulations

The criteria for a good routine includes the smoothness of the transition from one move to another, moves that show strength and balance, as well as coordination.  How the fingers are posed, whether they are relaxed or stiff are also easily noticed by the judges.  The ideal poses would require tense shoulders, arms, and backs, while keeping the fingers relaxed.  Contestants are required to do routines on regulation high heels and swimsuits.  Other organizations allow contestants to wear costumes according to a theme.

How to choose fitness routine moves

There are several tips to know which moves should be included in a routine.  Experts advise incorporating difficult moves in the routine, and emphasizing the difficulty by moving slowly and carefully through these moves.  However, this does not mean that you have to look like you are struggling with the routine.  The key is mastering the moves through practice but making the judges appreciate it more by moving slowly and gracefully through the pose.

Competition rounds

Aside from the routines round, competitions are also composed of the swimsuit portion.  In most contests, participants are still in their swimsuits during the routines round. This is because moves are best judged  when the models are in as little clothing as possible.  In the swimsuit portion, models  typically  do a series of half- or quarter-turns before the judges.  Gymnastics, aerobics, and dance can be incorporated in the routines performance.

Theme ideas

Creativity also goes a long way in fitness competitions.  Common themes that always work include the cowgirl/lasso themes, boxing themes, orphan Annie themes, ballroom dances, and even TV show themes.   These make the routine portion one of the highlights of a fitness competition.  This shows how creative you can get with poses while adhering to your chosen theme.

Practice

Practice is the key to pulling off your routine without a hitch.  You need to practice in order to avoid injury, master the more difficult moves, and make sure you look good doing these moves.  Making great poses and walking on stage with absolute confidence are keys to impressing the judges and, ultimately, winning the competition.  Practice lessens the chances of tripping over your heels as you walk or do half-turns in front of a large audience.