Pure Elite Female Categories Explained
One of the most common questions we receive is:
“Which category should I enter?”
The truth is there isn’t always one perfect answer.
Many athletes fit more than one category and it’s completely normal to enter multiple categories at the same show.
The best category for you will depend on your physique, conditioning, muscle development and the look you want to present on stage.
This guide will help you understand the differences between each female category and what the judges are looking for.
Quick Category Selector
Bikini Wellness
For athletes whose lower body is more developed than their upper body.
Glutes and quads are a stronger feature of the physique.
Bikini
For athletes with a healthy, toned look.
Visible muscle tone but not excessive muscularity.
One of the most popular categories for first-time competitors.
Bikini Fitness
For athletes carrying slightly more muscle than Bikini competitors.
More muscle development in the shoulders, legs and glutes..
Fitness Model
For athletes with visible abdominal definition and a more athletic appearance.
Lean, toned and balanced.
Wellness
For athletes with significantly developed glutes, quads and hamstrings.
More muscular than Bikini Wellness.
International Model
For athletes who enjoy stage presence, confidence and presentation.
Includes both lingerie and evening wear rounds.
Transformation
For athletes who have undergone a significant personal transformation.
Judged on overall transformation and physique development rather than simply who is the leanest.
Mums That Lift
Designed for mothers who want to celebrate their achievements and compete alongside other like-minded women.
Bikini Wellness
Who Is It For?
Bikini Wellness is designed for athletes whose lower body is more developed than their upper body.
Glutes and quads are a stronger feature of the physique and the overall look is slightly softer than Bikini Fitness.
Many athletes who naturally carry more size in their legs and glutes find this category suits them well.
What Judges Look For?
- Lower body development
- Glutes and quads
- Shape and balance
- Stage presentation
- Confidence
- Healthy appearance
What To Wear?
- Two-piece bikini
- Heels
- No boots
Posing
Athletes perform an individual I-Walk before taking part in comparison rounds.
Mandatory poses include front, side and back poses.
Typical Bikini Wellness Athlete
An athlete with stronger glutes and legs than Bikini competitors, while maintaining a healthy, feminine appearance.
Bikini
Who Is It For?
Bikini is ideal for athletes with a healthy, toned appearance and good overall balance.
Judges are looking for symmetry, shape and stage presence rather than extreme muscularity.
Abs should be slightly visible.
What Judges Look For
- Healthy appearance
- Symmetry and balance
- Stage presentation
- Confidence
- Appropriate conditioning
- Overall look
What To Wear
- Two-piece bikini
- Heels
- No boots
Posing
Athletes perform an individual I-Walk before moving into comparison rounds.
Mandatory poses include front, side and back poses.
Bikini Fitness
Who Is It For?
Bikini Fitness is for athletes who carry slightly more muscle than a Bikini competitor.
Typically you’ll see more development in the shoulders, glutes and legs while still maintaining a feminine, balanced look.
Athletes are expected to be leaner and more muscular than Bikini competitors, but not as muscular as Wellness athletes.
What Judges Look For?
- Visible muscle tone
- Symmetry and balance
- Shoulder development
- Glute and leg development
- Stage presentation
- Confidence
- Appropriate conditioning
What To Wear?
- Two-piece bikini
- Heels
- No boots
Posing
Athletes perform an individual I-Walk before taking part in comparison rounds.
Mandatory poses include front, side and back poses.
Typical Bikini Fitness Athlete
A Bikini Fitness athlete will generally have more visible muscle development than Bikini competitors while maintaining an athletic and feminine appearance.
Fitness Model
Who Is It For?
Fitness Model is one of the most popular categories within Pure Elite.
It is designed for athletes with a lean, toned and athletic physique.
Competitors should display visible abdominal definition, good muscle tone and overall balance throughout the physique.
Compared to Bikini Fitness, Fitness Model athletes are typically leaner and show more visible definition.
What Judges Look For?
- Visible abdominal definition
- Symmetry and balance
- Stage presentation
- Confidence
- Healthy appearance
- Overall marketable look
- Appropriate conditioning for the category
What To Wear?
- Two-piece bikini
- Heels required
- No boots
- Tattooed Fitness Model athletes may wear ankle boots
Posing
Athletes perform an individual I-Walk before taking part in comparison rounds.
Mandatory poses include front, side and back poses.
Typical Fitness Model Athlete
A lean, athletic athlete with visible abs, balanced muscle development and strong stage presence.
Wellness
Who Is It For?
Wellness is designed for athletes with significant development in the glutes, quads and hamstrings.
Compared to Bikini Wellness, Wellness athletes carry more muscle and are generally leaner.
This category rewards strong lower body development while maintaining overall balance and presentation.
What Judges Look For?
- Glute development
- Quad development
- Hamstring development
- Symmetry and balance
- Stage presentation
- Confidence
- Appropriate conditioning
What To Wear?
- Two-piece bikini
- Heels required
- No boots
Posing
Athletes perform an individual I-Walk before taking part in comparison rounds.
Mandatory poses include front, side and back poses.
Typical Wellness Athlete
An athlete with noticeably developed glutes, quads and hamstrings, combined with strong overall conditioning and stage presence.
International Model
Who Is It For?
International Model is for athletes who enjoy presentation, confidence and stage presence.
This category places greater emphasis on overall presentation, style and confidence than physique development alone.
It is ideal for athletes who enjoy expressing their personality on stage.
What Judges Look For?
- Stage presence
- Confidence
- Overall look
- Presentation
- Outfit choice
- Hair and make-up
- Commercial and marketable appearance
What To Wear?
Round One:
- Lingerie
- Creative outfits permitted
- Props permitted
Round Two:
- Evening gown or cocktail dress
Posing
Athletes perform an I-Walk in both rounds before comparison rounds take place.
Typical International Model Athlete
An athlete who enjoys performing on stage and showcasing confidence, personality and presentation.
Transformation
Who Is It For?
Transformation is designed for athletes who have undergone a significant personal journey.
This category celebrates the hard work, commitment and progress made throughout that transformation.
Judging is not based purely on who is the leanest.
What Judges Look For?
- Overall transformation
- Physique improvements
- Symmetry and balance
- Stage confidence
- Presentation
- Personal journey
What To Wear?
- Two-piece bikini
- Heels required
- No boots
Posing
Athletes perform an I-Walk followed by comparison rounds.
A before photo is displayed on stage to showcase the transformation journey.
Every Transformation Is Different
There is no specific transformation that judges are looking for.
Some athletes have lost significant amounts of weight.
Others have gained weight and built confidence.
Some have overcome illness, injury, addiction, disability or major life challenges.
Every athlete starts from a different place and every transformation journey is unique.
The category is judged on the progress made, the journey taken and the improvements achieved by the individual athlete.
Your transformation is compared to where you started, not to somebody else’s journey.
Mums That Lift
Who Is It For?
Mums That Lift is designed for mothers who want to celebrate their achievements and compete alongside other like-minded women.
There is no specific physique requirement for this category.
The focus is on overall presentation, balance, confidence and celebrating the hard work involved in maintaining a healthy lifestyle while raising a family.
What Judges Look For?
- Stage presence
- Confidence
- Overall physique
- Symmetry and balance
- Presentation
- Hair and make-up
- Tan
What To Wear?
- Two-piece bikini
- Heels required
- No boots
Posing
Athletes perform an I-Walk before taking part in comparison rounds.
Mandatory poses include front, side and back poses.
Typical Mums That Lift Athlete
A mother who wants to showcase the results of her hard work, commitment and dedication while inspiring others.
Still Unsure?
Don’t worry if more than one category sounds right for you.
Many athletes enter multiple categories, particularly during their first season.
Categories often overlap and entering more than one category allows you to gain more stage experience and receive valuable feedback from the judges.
Need Some Help?
If you’re still unsure which category is best for you, we’re happy to help.
Book a call and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Book A Call
What’s Next?
Now you have a better understanding of the male categories available, the next step is understanding the different ways to compete throughout the season.
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