A common question posed by many INBA figure competitors is whether or not the Trapezius muscles (traps) should be trained or prominent on a competitor in this division.
What is the view of the INBA when judging Figure Competitors with traps?
Many women, experienced and novice, often ask Flexr6 questions surrounding competing. On this occasion it was “Should figure competitors have traps?”
Flexr6 sourced responses from two of INBA Australia’s Elite Judges, Belinda Brereton and Rod Wark who have both judged physique competitions for INBA for many years.
Team Flexr6 sponsored competitor, Rose Black INBA PNBA 2014 World Championships was awarded the “Most Symmetrical” (male and female) award at the 2014 INBA Olympia.
As can be seen from the pictures of Rose here at the 2014 INBA World Championships in Slovakia she does not have over dominant traps but a very well balanced V-taper.
Rose’s victory and earning of a PNBA Pro card at this event is a testament to her hard work and her dedication to the Flexr6 Complete Physique Competition Preparation Program.
Team Flexr6 sponsored competitor Rose Black – the 2014 PNBA Physique Olympia Champion
Team Flexr6 Competitors have a direct link into the INBA hierarchy. Team Flexr6 Director Ken Ross sourced advice from the people who judge INBA Figure competitors:
Belinda Brereton – INBA Elite Judge
Me personally – train traps just like all other body parts. We will judge competitors on an overall package from head to toe. If you are engaging traps while posing that usually rounds the shoulders forward and changes your shape not for the better in most cases. We are looking for that nice V taper. Not well built traps.
Belinda is a well respected competitor herself with numerous impressive INBA titles under her belt. Her advice comes from “walking the walk”!
Rod Wark – INBA Elite Judge
I personally think a women’s traps are usually over developed as they are engaged 90% of the time when just walking around or sitting at a desk. I would rather girls focus on sides and rear delts to give them better width and depth.
Rod is a very experienced INBA judge. He is the head judge for INBA ACT and runs posing classes for women leading up to INBA Season A and B each year. Rod is well respected by Team Flexr6 and we second his advice.
Your competition preparation
The INBA judging criteria is an extremely useful resource. Team Flexr6 will be complementing this guide by:
- further developing our FAQs, and
- writing in-depth articles that answer questions about: training, nutrition, posing, judging, divisions, beauty therapy, registrations and any other topic involving physique competition preparation.
Knowledge will take your physique to the next level.
Learn more with Team Flexr6
- The Team Flexr6 FAQ section
- The Complete Your Physique Workshop
- The Flexr6 Fitness Solutions Facebook Page
- Join Team Flexr6 as a competitor and get exclusive access to the Team Flexr6 Competitors Facebook page for a vast array of timely and relevant information!
Founding Director of FLEXR6 Fitness Solutions and a natural bodybuilder for 37 years. Ken is based in Australia and currently competes at the international level. Ken is a current PNBA Pro, INBA Hall of Fame Inductee, INBA PNBA Global New Zealand President, INBA World Ambassador, multiple Asia Pacific, Natural Universe & Natural Olympia gold medallist, Competition Preparation Coach, writer for Iron Man Magazine and has competed in 138 INBA shows! Ken is also a qualified Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach. Read more about Ken or get in touch via the contact form.
