Weight Classes in Bodybuilding?

[therock030488]

I was wondering what the exact weight ranges are for all the weight classes in bodybuilding, like the weight range on lightheavy, heavy weight, light weight, etc.

I was wondering about this because if I plan to compete in the next few years, I want to know which weight class I should aim for. Whether or not I should try to bulk up to the top of whatever class I'd be in now, or if I should trim down to the top of the class beneath me, and how far I'd have to go to do these things.

[moorey]

I was wondering what the exact weight ranges are for all the weight classes in bodybuilding, like the weight range on lightheavy, heavy weight, light weight, etc.

I was wondering about this because if I plan to compete in the next few years, I want to know which weight class I should aim for. Whether or not I should try to bulk up to the top of whatever class I'd be in now, or if I should trim down to the top of the class beneath me, and how far I'd have to go to do these things.

In the UK, we have different affiliations, but the one that I think is mainly used in mens physique is the under 70's, 80's, 90's and over 90's under the UKBBF. NABBA and the NAC use height classes. There are new classes now called classic/athletic physique and if i remember rightly this is based on a certain height + weight catergory.My advice to anyone starting out is to start in first timer and intermediate classes, this way there is no additional stress on you to come in below a certain weight, so you can concentrate on preserving muscle tissue while getting as ripped as possible which is enough for anyone to attain in their first shows!

[mitbar]

well it depends on the contest and org, but for mine heavys are 198.25lbs and above. light heavys are 198.25 -189 and then it just drops from there. i personally will be in the middle of my classes so it should be interesting.

you would want to be at the top of a class instead of the bottom so it doesnt just come down to posing since you wont have the size for that class.

[therock030488]

Right I understand that mitbar about coming in at the top of a class.

Does anyone know what the weight ranges are on like the middleweights, lightweights, etc, because I'm 172lbs, the lightheavy and heavy classes doesn't concern me lol.

[moorey]

Right I understand that mitbar about coming in at the top of a class.

Does anyone know what the weight ranges are on like the middleweights, lightweights, etc, because I'm 172lbs, the lightheavy class doesn't concern me lol.

you would probably have to go for a class at 70kg or 154lb, have you competed before? the guys at this level will have experience and its a big advantage over someone coming in for their first time, thats why I suggested a first time or intermediate class

[mitbar]

cosign moorey, check the org your competing in and they will give you the exact weight classes for your comp.

[therock030488]

So the weight classes aren't universal, it varies depending on the organization? Weird.

And no Moorey, I have not competed before.

[DThomp21]

I don't know where you live but the NPC weight classes for Colorado are as follows:

Mens Open:
Bantamweight: 143 1/4 and under
Lightweight: 143 1/4 - 154 1/4
Welterweight: 154 1/4-165 1/4
Middleweight: 165 1/4 - 176 1/4
Lightheavy: 176 1/4 - 198 1/4
Heavy: 198 1/4 and up

Mens Novice:
Lightweight: 165 1/4 and under
Middleweight: 165 1/4 - 187 1/4
Heavyweight: 187 1/4 and up

[therock030488]

Thanks DThomp, I was about to ask about the NPC weight classes but you beat me to it, appreciate it. So in the NPC, I'd want to come in at the very top of the lightweight class in the men's novice. And if I were to compete in the men's open, I'd probably want to come in at the top of the welterweight class.

Moorey, you said that I'd want to compete at about 155lbs, would it be necessary for me to be that light, considering that I am at about 8% bf at 172lbs? I feel like I would lose too much size at 155, I haven't been that small since I was a freshmen in high school.

[moorey]

Thanks DThomp, I was about to ask about the NPC weight classes but you beat me to it, appreciate it. So in the NPC, I'd want to come in at the very top of the lightweight class in the men's novice. And if I were to compete in the men's open, I'd probably want to come in at the top of the welterweight class.

Moorey, you said that I'd want to compete at about 155lbs, would it be necessary for me to be that light, considering that I am at about 8% bf at 172lbs? I feel like I would lose too much size at 155, I haven't been that small since I was a freshmen in high school.

You would have to come in at welter. the difficulty is how tall are you? How much water are you holding? and you bodyfat would need to be at 2-3% to look really sharp on stage, thats more than 7lb mate. Youve never cut to this degree before and the problem most guys have is they have an idealised wieght in thri heads and this holds them back from getting really ripped. I am not saying you cant come in heavier, but small guys like us( Im only a light heavy) have to nail condition or just dont turn up. Youlll be shocked how your body and mind reacts to a competiton cut, it is different to any cut you will have done before, The one peice of advice I leave you with, is it is better to be right at the top of a weight class,( or even over after you carbed up a little after the weigh in) ripped to hell, than just somewhere in the middle in ok condition. Check out James , he came down from the under 90kg class to win the under 80kg class and the overall britain, He weighed in at 79.7kg and then spent time slowly carbing up!
Photo Shoot of James Llewellin by Geoff Collins - UK-Muscle Body Building Community - Bodybuilding Forum

[therock030488]

Moorey you're knowledge and experience is much appreciated, it's an honor to speak to someone like you who has competed so much.

My height is 5'10", and no I don't know how much water I'm holding. But dang, cutting for a contest sounds hard.

[moorey]

Moorey you're knowledge and experience is much appreciated, it's an honor to speak to someone like you who has competed so much.

My height is 5'10", and no I don't know how much water I'm holding. But dang, cutting for a contest sounds hard.

cheers bro, I admire anyone who goes in for a competition, My suggestion to go for a first timer class was to take away the stress of trying to make a weight, so you could concentrate on getting really sharp, but please don't let anything I have said put you off, your profile physique looks lean, so you shoud have the hell us fatties have when we have to get down and I wish you well in what ever class you decide to compete in, respect, jim and pm me if I can assist further!

[DThomp21]

Cosign Moorey as always! Don't get too concerned on trying to reach a target weight man cause you almost never will. Just watch the mirror and get in the best condition you can. I can almost promise you that you will lose more weight than you expect to. My first show I figured I would weigh in around 170...I came in at 161 at 6' tall! The amount of water you can lose is very dramatic. Dont concentrate to much on the scale, just stick to your diet and training and adjust with the mirror! good luck bro!

[therock030488]

Thanks guys I really appreciate it, and no Moorey nothing you said has discouraged me. I think I still need a couple or three more years of hard training, plus some practice in cutting hard, in order to really be ready to go up on stage. Because I have no intention of going up on stage and not being fully prepared because I want to do my very best to win or at least get top 3 my first time.