Guidelines

DFBA Guidelines: Upholding Integrity in Natural Bodybuilding

At the Drug Free Bodybuilding Alliance (DFBA), we are committed to fostering a fair and transparent environment for athletes, organizations, and fans. Our guidelines ensure that the values of integrity, respect, and sportsmanship are upheld across all competitions and collaborations.

Let’s work together to elevate natural bodybuilding and uphold its values.

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

Respect for the competitive nature of the athlete

A professional title is hard-earned, and as the sport stands, often comes at great expense financially, psychologically, physically, and mentally. As such, the DFBA and its member federations will place no restrictions on when, where, and how often a professional or amateur athlete must compete. Furthermore, professional status shall be maintained so long as the athlete’s membership dues are kept current, barring extraordinary circumstances. An athlete’s sole responsibility is to pay member dues and any fees incurred with competing. Any further promotion of and for a federation is at each athlete’s discretion.

Ensuring the athlete’s safety, well-being and medical status, both physical and mental

Due to the nature of the sport, the conditioning expectations of the modern standard, and the inherent psychological and physiological strain placed on the athlete throughout a competition prep - time restrictions on competing are no longer in the best interests of the athlete’s health, nor do they allow adequate time to grow and improve – diminishing long term competitive potential. As such, no member federation will enact legislation to require a timeline to competition for eligible athletes.

Respect for the protection of human rights insofar as they apply to the sport of natural bodybuilding

The DFBA rejects discrimination of any kind on whatever grounds, be it race, color, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status; – rejection of all forms of harassment and abuse, be it physical, professional or sexual, and any physical or mental injuries.As such, no member federation will enact legislation to require a timeline to competition for eligible athletes.

OBJECTIVES

The DFBA has been organized to address the following concerns:

The current landscape of natural bodybuilding is divided and lacking cohesion.
Rules and regulations currently exist that restrict the athlete’s ability to compete or are not in line with the values of the athletic community as a whole.
The industry is currently comprised of private entities without oversight or a democratically elected governing body.
Technological advances across peer industries have yet to be adopted into the natural bodybuilding judging and promotional realms.
The sport is lacking in public awareness and corporate support.

As such, the DFBA resolves as follows:

To promote Natural Bodybuilding via collaboration amongst existing global federations towards a common goal and in defense of tested natural competition at the highest level, with respect given to the goals and values of the competitive athlete.
To create an elected Board of Directors consisting of federation executives, athletes, and related officials to ensure all parties have a voice in the direction of the sport.
To increase public awareness and perception of professionalism within the sport of Natural Bodybuilding via comprehensive event coverage, live commentary, and the creation of a searchable athlete/contest database to house show schedules and results and to preserve the history of the sport as it is created.
To provide transparency within the sport via the adoption of a standardized, digital scoring system – with results to be made public.
To incentivize corporate sponsorships within the sport of Natural Bodybuilding via a global, growing fan, member, and follower base in order to bring the sport up to par with its peers in the strength sport and team sport realms.

ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATION

The DFBA is open to all who have passion for natural bodybuilding and pledge to work towards a stronger, more collaborative future for the sport. All those that pledge to support and promote inter-federation competition amongst athletes, honor the professional status of the athlete, meet basic promotional standards, and actively work for a more collaborative future have a place on our stages and around our tables.

Currently, there are two routes to qualification for the DFBA year end event:

Place top five in a DFBA Global qualifier, within a DFBA sanctioned category.
Submit an Unaffiliated neutral Athlete (UNA) application to the DFBA Board of Directors.

We strive to create a path to competition and offer a home for any and all qualified athletes – regardless of home federation. As such, athletes who reside in a geographic location devoid of a DFBA affiliated federation or in situations where travel and/or financial restrictions limit their ability to compete in a DFBA Global qualifier can apply to compete as an Unaffiliated Neutral Athlete (UNA).

For more information, details, and criteria please reference the DFBA Membership, Structure, and Categories document in our Rules and Regulations.

DIVISIONS

Men’s Physique

Men’s Physique is a division aimed at male competitors who are less heavily muscled and conditioned than their Classic Physique or Bodybuilding counterparts, with more emphasis given to the aesthetic appeal. Wide shoulders, a narrow waist, and prominent abdominal development are characteristic of the ideal Men’s Physique athlete. Competitors will wear board shorts of a length at or slightly above the knee.

Men’s Classic Physique

An homage to the golden era physiques or Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Zane, and Co - the Classic Physique division standard is that of symmetry, poise, and flow. Classic Physique competitors will have a more muscular appearance than Men’s Physique, similar to that of the bodybuilding class, but with a slight preference for upper body development. The ideal physique flows seamlessly from one muscle group to the next, with no one feature overpowering the other. A distinct V-taper from the lats to a narrow waist should be visible from both front and back, and complimented by fully developed chest and arms. The conditioning expectation is less extreme than that of modern natural Men’s Bodybuilding. Full muscular separation is expected, however an overly dieted or “shredded” look will score lower. Competitors will wear black trunks with full glute coverage.

Men’s Bodybuilding

Competitors should have the most muscularity and levels of conditioning of all male classes. Full development of all muscle groups, symmetry between left/right, front/back, top/bottom, and clear separation between all muscle groups is the expectation. While conditioning should exceed that of the other male categories, and terms like “shredded” are applicable, muscularity is paramount. Athletes will not be rewarded purely on the basis of extreme conditioning. A superior physique in adequate condition to be viewed clearly will be scored higher than a lesser developed but more extremely conditioned physique. Competitors will wear bodybuilding trunks of a color and fit per their preference.

Bikini

The Bikini Division is a mix of light muscularity and even development, with a priority given to a healthy look - enhanced by a poised and confident stage presence. Judges look for a developed lower body, delts, and mid section that maintains a softer overall physique than the other female categories. The combination of subtle muscle definition and size encapsulates the quintessential bikini athlete. Elements such as fitting of the attire, hair styling, makeup, appearance of the skin, and presence on stage are all taken into consideration when scoring. In addition, any overtly sexual posing or inappropriate behavior will be grounds for disqualification to both protect the professionalism of our sport and any younger audience members. Competitors will wear two-piece suits and clear high-heeled shoes. Suit color is flexible, and crystal decorations are permitted. Please note, thong or T-back style suits are not allowed.

Figure

Competitors should demonstrate greater muscle development and fullness, with clear muscle definition, when compared to their bikini counterparts; however, not that on par with Women’S Physique or Bodybuilding. The Figure Division significantly emphasizes body structure, with preference given to a clearly defined V-taper and X-frame silhouette. The goal is to showcase muscle fullness and a sculpted appearance. Competitors will wear a two-piece suit and clear high-heeled shoes. Suit color is flexible, and crystal decorations are permitted. Please note, thong or T-back style suits are not allowed. Jewelry is acceptable. Elements such as fitting of the attire, hair styling, makeup, appearance of the skin, and presence on stage are all taken into consideration when scoring. In addition, any overtly sexual posing or inappropriate behavior will be grounds for disqualification to both protect the professionalism of our sport and any younger audience members. Competitors will wear two-piece suits and clear high-heeled shoes. Suit color is flexible, and crystal decorations are permitted. Please note, thong or T-back style suits are not allowed.

Women’s Physique

The Women’s Physique Division is aimed at female competitors who exhibit a similar or slightly greater level of muscular development than Figure Division competitors, but with harder conditioning and more detail - similar to that which is ideal for Women’s Bodybuilding. The division is best suited to those with a highly trained and well developed look, but without the muscular size or frame needed to excel in Women’s Bodybuilding. A two piece bikini/posing suit with a crossover back which fastens at the back of the neck will be worn. Color and design is of athlete preference. Competitors will wear a two-piece suit and clear high-heeled shoes. Suit color is flexible, and crystal decorations are permitted. Please note, thong or T-back style suits are not allowed. Jewelry is acceptable. Elements such as fitting of the attire, hair styling, makeup, appearance of the skin, and presence on stage are all taken into consideration when scoring. In addition, any overtly sexual posing or inappropriate behavior will be grounds for disqualification to both protect the professionalism of our sport and any younger audience members. Competitors will wear two-piece suits and clear high-heeled shoes. Suit color is flexible, and crystal decorations are permitted. Please note, thong or T-back style suits are not allowed.

Women’s Bodybuilding

Competitors should have the most muscularity of all female classes, with conditioning on par or slightly greater than the Women’s Physique Division. Full development of all muscle groups, symmetry between left/right, front/back, top/bottom, and clear separation between all muscle groups is the expectation. While full muscular separation and clear striations are expected, muscularity is paramount. Athletes will not be rewarded purely on the basis of extreme conditioning. A superior physique in adequate condition to be viewed clearly will be scored higher than a lesser developed but more extremely conditioned physique. Competitors will wear bodybuilding trunks of a color and fit per their preference.

Event Rules and Regulations

Registration and Check-Ins

Athletes must complete registration and check-ins within specified deadlines to secure eligibility.

Uniforms and Attire

Stage attire must meet DFBA-approved guidelines for each division.

Protests and Appeals

Any disputes or appeals must follow DFBA’s formal review process and be submitted within the provided timeframe.

Respect for the Sport

The DFBA is dedicated to maintaining the highest level of integrity in natural bodybuilding. Athletes, judges, and organizers are expected to promote a positive and inclusive atmosphere that celebrates the dedication and hard work of competitors.