Professional bodybuilding
Encyclopedia
Professional bodybuilding or pro bodybuilding is a term that is used in the sport of bodybuilding
, and may refer to several different concepts.
. Many Natural Bodybuilding
organizations such as the INBF (International Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation), NPA (Natural Physique Association) and NANBF (North American Natural Bodybuilding Federation) also have professional ranks. For instance, the WNBF (World Natural Bodybuilding Federation), is the Professional division of its amateur affiliate, the INBF.
and Ben Weider
created the International Federation of BodyBuilders
, known as the IFBB. Later on in 1965, Joe Weider went on to start the first IFBB professional competition – the Mr. Olympia
. Originally, the Mr. Universe was known as the most prestigious and elite of competitions, however an individual could only win this contest twice, whereas the Olympia was created to be won on as many times as possible. The IFBB and the Olympia were created as a way for elite amateur athletes to further their competitive career and to earn money. In 1966, Larry Scott received $1,000 for his Mr. Olympia win. In 2006, there were over 40 IFBB professional competitions and the total prize money topped 1.6 million dollars.
In order to become an "IFBB Pro" you must first earn your IFBB Pro Card. A bodybuilder looking to do this must first win a regional contest weight class. When a bodybuilder wins or places highly they earn an invite to compete at their country's National Championships contest for that year. The winners of each weight class at the National Championships will then go head to head in a separate contest to see who is the overall Champion for the year. Depending on the federation, the overall Champion will be offered a pro card. Some federations offer Pro Cards to winners of individual weight class champions. This can mean that each year more than one bodybuilder may earn a Pro Card. A bodybuilder can also earn a Pro Card at the IFBB World Bodybuilding Championships. Eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman
won his IFBB Pro Card at the World Bodybuilding Championships.
In the United States, The NPC (National Physique Committee
) is affiliated with the IFBB and awards IFBB Pro Cards to the winners of its Heavyweight and Super Heavyweight weight category contest winners. There are three events held by the NPC where a bodybuilder can earn a pro card: The Nationals, The North American Championships, and The USA Championships contests.
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
, and may refer to several different concepts.
Income
Professional may refer to a bodybuilder who earns his or her primary income from bodybuilding. It is possible, though difficult except at the highest level, to earn a reasonable income purely from competition winnings. It is more likely that a particular athlete will be sponsored by local companies and supplement manufacturers. Many bodybuilders use their new found fame and knowledge to pursue business ventures such as higher level personal training, or opening their own fitness centers. Guest posing and appearances also support income.Standard
Qualification as a professional may require membership of a professional bodybuilding organization such as the IFBBIFBB
IFBB can refer to:* Independent Family Brewers of Britain* International Federation of BodyBuilders...
. Many Natural Bodybuilding
Natural bodybuilding
Natural bodybuilding is the practice or participation in bodybuilding competition without the use of banned substances .- Professional class :Natural Bodybuilding has many organizations with...
organizations such as the INBF (International Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation), NPA (Natural Physique Association) and NANBF (North American Natural Bodybuilding Federation) also have professional ranks. For instance, the WNBF (World Natural Bodybuilding Federation), is the Professional division of its amateur affiliate, the INBF.
IFBB
In 1946, Joe WeiderJoe Weider
Josef E. "Joe" Weider is co-founder of the International Federation of BodyBuilders along with brother Ben Weider and creator of the Mr. Olympia, the Ms. Olympia, and the now-defunct Masters Olympia bodybuilding contests...
and Ben Weider
Ben Weider
Benjamin "Ben" Weider, was the co-founder of the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness along with brother Joe Weider...
created the International Federation of BodyBuilders
International Federation of BodyBuilders
The International Federation of BodyBuilders is a competitive bodybuilding organization founded in 1946 by brothers Ben and Joe Weider and is the highest level of competitive bodybuilding in the world. Currently, the IFBB consists of seven different sub-divisions for different competitors ,...
, known as the IFBB. Later on in 1965, Joe Weider went on to start the first IFBB professional competition – the Mr. Olympia
Mr. Olympia
Mr. Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding contest at Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend - an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness . Joe Weider created the contest to enable the...
. Originally, the Mr. Universe was known as the most prestigious and elite of competitions, however an individual could only win this contest twice, whereas the Olympia was created to be won on as many times as possible. The IFBB and the Olympia were created as a way for elite amateur athletes to further their competitive career and to earn money. In 1966, Larry Scott received $1,000 for his Mr. Olympia win. In 2006, there were over 40 IFBB professional competitions and the total prize money topped 1.6 million dollars.
In order to become an "IFBB Pro" you must first earn your IFBB Pro Card. A bodybuilder looking to do this must first win a regional contest weight class. When a bodybuilder wins or places highly they earn an invite to compete at their country's National Championships contest for that year. The winners of each weight class at the National Championships will then go head to head in a separate contest to see who is the overall Champion for the year. Depending on the federation, the overall Champion will be offered a pro card. Some federations offer Pro Cards to winners of individual weight class champions. This can mean that each year more than one bodybuilder may earn a Pro Card. A bodybuilder can also earn a Pro Card at the IFBB World Bodybuilding Championships. Eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman
Ronnie Coleman
Ronnie Dean "Big Ron" Coleman is an American professional bodybuilder who holds the record of eight straight wins as Mr. Olympia, a record career total that he shares with Lee Haney.-Biography:...
won his IFBB Pro Card at the World Bodybuilding Championships.
In the United States, The NPC (National Physique Committee
National Physique Committee
The National Physique Committee is the largest amateur bodybuilding organization in the United States. Amateur bodybuilders compete in various competitions from local to national competitions sanctioned by the NPC...
) is affiliated with the IFBB and awards IFBB Pro Cards to the winners of its Heavyweight and Super Heavyweight weight category contest winners. There are three events held by the NPC where a bodybuilder can earn a pro card: The Nationals, The North American Championships, and The USA Championships contests.
See also
- List of female professional bodybuilders
- List of male professional bodybuilders
- Joe WeiderJoe WeiderJosef E. "Joe" Weider is co-founder of the International Federation of BodyBuilders along with brother Ben Weider and creator of the Mr. Olympia, the Ms. Olympia, and the now-defunct Masters Olympia bodybuilding contests...
- National Physique CommitteeNational Physique CommitteeThe National Physique Committee is the largest amateur bodybuilding organization in the United States. Amateur bodybuilders compete in various competitions from local to national competitions sanctioned by the NPC...
- International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness
- BodybuildingBodybuildingBodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
- Natural bodybuildingNatural bodybuildingNatural bodybuilding is the practice or participation in bodybuilding competition without the use of banned substances .- Professional class :Natural Bodybuilding has many organizations with...