PURE ELITE JUDGES CATEGORY OVERVIEW
This page sits alongside the Pure Elite Judges Handbook. The handbook covers how we judge. This page covers what each category is looking for.
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Female Categories
Quick Difference Guide
- Bikini Wellness → Bottom heavy, less balanced
- Bikini → Balanced, toned, softer look
- Bikini Fitness → More muscle, more conditioned
- Wellness → Muscular lower body, developed glutes/quads
- Fitness Model → Leaner, visible abs, more definition
- Mums That Lift → No set condition, judged on balance
- Transformation → Journey over condition
- International Model → Model presence over physique
Bikini Wellness
Physique Overview
Bottom-heavy bikini physique.
Glutes and quads carry slightly more body fat.
Upper and lower body not evenly balanced.
Abs slightly visible.
Key Difference
Less balanced than Bikini. Softer lower body.
Mandatory Poses
Front – T pose
Side – Standard side pose
Back – Hands on thighs (no bending, no flare)
Judging Focus
- Balance (top vs bottom)
- Glutes and quads
- Conditioning appropriate to category
- Overall look
- Stage presence
- I-Walk and pose execution
- Marketable look
Bikini
Physique Overview
Balanced, toned physique.
Visible muscle tone without separation.
Softer overall look.
Abs slightly visible.
Key Difference
Most balanced and least muscular category.
Mandatory Poses
Front – Standard front pose
Side – Standard side pose
Back – Hands on thighs
Judging Focus
- Symmetry and balance
- Overall shape
- Conditioning (not too lean)
- Stage presence
- I-Walk and posing
- Marketable look
- Abdominal visibility appropriate to category
Tattooed Bikini: tattoos are also judged.
Bikini Fitness
Physique Overview
More muscle and conditioning than Bikini.
Developed delts and quads.
Still balanced and feminine.
Key Difference
More muscular and conditioned than Bikini.
Mandatory Poses
Front – T pose
Side – Standard side pose
Back – Power pose (hands on waist)
Judging Focus
- Muscle tone and conditioning
- Symmetry and balance
- Stage presence
- I-Walk and comparisons
- Abdominal visibility appropriate to category
Fitness Model
Physique Overview
Toned, defined physique.
Clear muscle definition.
Abs must be visible.
Key Difference
Leaner and more defined than Bikini categories.
Mandatory Poses
Front – Power pose (lats flared)
Side – Standard side pose
Back – Power pose (hands on waist)
Judging Focus
- Definition and conditioning
- Symmetry and proportions
- Abdominal definition
- Stage presence and confidence
- I-Walk and quarter turns
- Marketable look
- Hair and makeup
Tattooed Fitness Model: tattoos are also judged.
Wellness
Physique Overview
More muscular lower body.
Large glutes and quads.
Visible hamstring/glute tie-in.
Less body fat than Bikini Wellness.
Key Difference
Muscular lower body with clear development.
Mandatory Poses
Front – T pose
Side – Standard side pose
Back – Hands on thighs
Judging Focus
- Glutes, quads and hamstrings
- Muscle development
- Overall balance
- Conditioning appropriate to category
- Stage presence
- I-Walk execution
- Marketable look
Mums That Lift
Physique Overview
No fixed physique requirement.
Judged on overall balance and proportions.
Key Difference
Not judged on condition or leanness.
Mandatory Poses
Front – Standard front pose
Side – Standard side pose
Back – Hands on thighs
Judging Focus
- Overall physique
- Balance and proportions
- Stage presence and confidence
- I-Walk and posing
- Symmetry
- Hair and makeup
- Marketable look
International Model
Format
Two rounds:
- Lingerie
- Evening wear
Physique Overview
Model category, not physique-based.
Key Difference
Judged on presentation, not muscle.
Posing
- I-Walk (both rounds)
- Comparison rounds are free posing
Judging Focus
- Stage presence and confidence
- Model walk and poses
- Outfit and styling
- Commercial look
- Overall presentation
- Marketable look
Transformation
Physique Overview
No fixed physique requirement.
Focus is on overall transformation journey.
Key Difference
Not judged on who is leanest.
Mandatory Poses
Front – Standard front pose
Side – Standard side pose
Back – Hands on thighs
Judging Focus
- Transformation journey
- Overall change (before vs after)
- Balance and proportions
- Stage presence and confidence
- I-Walk and posing
Final Note for Judges – Female Categories
Judge the category in front of you.
Do not reward:
- The leanest physique if it doesn’t fit the category
- The most muscular physique if it breaks category criteria
Reward:
- The athlete who best fits the category
- The most complete look on stage
Male Categories
Quick Difference Guide
- Athletic Physique → Athletic, softer, not overly lean
- Men’s Physique → Lean, V-taper, not overly muscular
- Fitness Model → More definition than Athletic, still commercial
- Classic Physique → Old-school bodybuilding look
- Muscle Physique → Most muscular, lean, and separated
- Transformation → Journey over condition
Athletic Physique
Physique Overview
Athletic, balanced physique.
Not overly muscular or extremely lean.
Healthy look with visible abs.
Key Difference
Softer and less muscular than all other male physique categories.
Mandatory Poses
Front – Hands at sides
Side – Side pose of choice
Back – Double bicep
Judging Focus
- Overall athletic look
- Balance and symmetry
- Conditioning appropriate to category (not too lean)
- Abdominal visibility appropriate to category
- Stage presence
- I-Walk and pose execution
- Marketable look
Men’s Physique
Physique Overview
Lean, toned physique.
Strong V-taper.
Not overly muscular or extreme.
Key Difference
Focus on shape and V-taper over size.
Mandatory Poses
Front
Side (left)
Back (lats flared)
Side (right)
Front
Judging Focus
- V-taper
- Balance and symmetry
- Condition and leanness
- Muscle tone and shape
- Stage presentation
- Mandatory pose execution
- Abdominals
Fitness Model
Physique Overview
Toned, defined physique.
More definition than Athletic Physique.
Abs clearly visible.
Key Difference
Sits between Athletic Physique and Men’s Physique in condition and look.
Mandatory Poses
Front – Hands at sides
Side – Side pose of choice
Back – Double bicep
Judging Focus
- Definition and conditioning
- Symmetry and balance
- Abdominal visibility
- Stage presence and confidence
- I-Walk and quarter turns
- Marketable look
Includes: Under 75kg, Over 75kg, Over 35, Over 45, Tattooed, Pro.
Classic Physique
Physique Overview
Classic bodybuilding look.
Balanced muscularity with good proportions.
Defined but not extreme.
Key Difference
Not as large or extreme as modern bodybuilding. Focus on shape and flow.
Mandatory Poses
- Front double bicep
- Side chest
- Rear double bicep
- Abdominals and thighs
- Classic pose of choice
Judging Focus
- Symmetry and proportions
- Physique balance
- Muscularity (not excessive)
- Definition (not overly lean)
- Overall classic look and presentation
Muscle Physique
Physique Overview
Well developed muscle mass.
Visible separation and striations.
Lean and conditioned.
Abs must be visible.
Key Difference
Most muscular and most conditioned category.
Mandatory Poses
Front – Most muscular / hands on waist
Side – Side chest
Back – Double bicep
Judging Focus
- Muscle mass
- Conditioning and separation
- Symmetry and balance
- Abdominal definition
- Stage presence
- I-Walk and posing
- Marketable look
Tattooed Muscle Physique: tattoos are also judged.
Transformation
Physique Overview
No fixed physique requirement.
Focus is on overall transformation journey.
Key Difference
Not judged on size or leanness alone.
Mandatory Poses
Front – Hands at sides
Side – Side pose of choice
Back – Double bicep
Judging Focus
- Transformation journey
- Overall change (before vs after)
- Balance and proportions
- Stage presence and confidence
- I-Walk and posing
Final Note for Judges – Male Categories
Judge the category in front of you.
Do not reward:
- The biggest physique in the wrong category
- The leanest physique if it doesn’t fit the criteria
Reward:
- The athlete who best fits the category
- The most complete look on stage