The order of the classes

[Pseudonym]

Recently NABBA ran a show with the classes in a different order to usual. Rather than leaving the Open Physique classes right till the end (when the most of the audience has gone home) they put them right in the middle of the show. Then they put the novice classes (which typically have loads of friends and family supporters) towards the end.

It’s not just a NABBA problem – all the organisations have a similar order where, by the time the biggest and best competitors hit the stage, they’re competing in a near-empty auditorium. I’m a big fan of combining prejudging and prizegiving in the one show, but with some shows stretching upwards of 6 hours, the dwindling audience is even more of a problem here.

Obviously something needs to change, so good on NABBA for having a crack at it. But I don’t think they got it quite right.

Personally, I'd like to see all the classes grouped by similarity. So you'd group all the Men's Physique classes (Teenage, Junior, Masters, Novice, then finally Open), then all the Athletic classes, and so on.

By doing it this way, you make it easy for the audience (who are generally friends and family) to stick around to see the classes that interest them - that is, the classes that are most similar to the competitor they've come to support. It’s a logical order with a natural climax towards the biggest and best physiques at the end of each section, building anticipation and making the show more exciting.

From the competitors' point of view, it's easier for them to see the classes that they'll eventually progress into - from junior, to novice, to open. And that has to be good for the sport.

With so many very different classes in a bodybuilding show, from Open Men’s Physique to Masters’ Figure, you have to accept that the audience will come and go. You can’t force people to stay and watch classes they’re not remotely interested in – certainly not for 6 hours! It just leaves them thinking bodybuilding shows are boring, and leaves a bad taste on what should be a fun, exciting experience.

We need to keep audience numbers up throughout the show. But we need to do it in a way that keeps them happy at the same time.

[Peroxide]

One of the hardest things I guess about having the novices at the end is that with the open already having been you feel that you've already been upstaged before you get up there, people have seen what you are aiming for, and can easily identify weaknesses.

[soundsgood]

This is the case alot of the time anyway Peroxide.

Some of the juniors and Masters (who's classes are usually at the start of the show) are sporting the best physiques of the whole show anyway.

I think its a great idea Pseudonym. Being an open men competitor I think its a shame going out to a mostly empty auditorium when it was packed at the start of the night.

Actually to go further I really enjoy the all in one format too. You go out, do your routine, then prejudging rounds, pose down and then awarded your medals or trophies. It all makes logical sense to me as opposed to going and doing prejudging in the morning then coming back up to 10 hours later to do your routines. I really enjoyed how the NABBA WFF nationals show finished at 5:30 so the rest of the night could be enjoyed with friends and family.

[HarryB]

This is the case alot of the time anyway Peroxide.

Some of the juniors and Masters (who's classes are usually at the start of the show) are sporting the best physiques of the whole show anyway.

I think its a great idea Pseudonym. Being an open men competitor I think its a shame going out to a mostly empty auditorium when it was packed at the start of the night.

Actually to go further I really enjoy the all in one format too. You go out, do your routine, then prejudging rounds, pose down and then awarded your medals or trophies. It all makes logical sense to me as opposed to going and doing prejudging in the morning then coming back up to 10 hours later to do your routines. I really enjoyed how the NABBA WFF nationals show finished at 5:30 so the rest of the night could be enjoyed with friends and family.

Early start early finish is awesome..

I enjoyed this years aussie nationals because it was a 2 day show with the figure, teen, novice and bikini stuff one day and then the next day just all the open bodybuilding, men and women. Afternoon show started at 2ish and was done by 6ish! Perfect!!

[Peroxide]

This is the case alot of the time anyway Peroxide.

Some of the juniors and Masters (who's classes are usually at the start of the show) are sporting the best physiques of the whole show anyway.

Amen to that, there was a 53(?) year old guy that look amazing on Saturday.

I too prefer the rolling format, gets everything out the way in one go and you can relax for the rest of it, and the early start early finish at least gives you some of the day for other activities.