Men's Physique poses

Also called: front position, front pose

1. Stand with the feet close and one hand resting lightly at the waistband, which opens a gap between arm and torso.
2. Pull the shoulders back and down and lift through the chest, letting the V from shoulder to waist do the work.
3. Flare the lats just enough to widen the frame without the pose reading as a bodybuilding spread.
4. Draw the stomach in on the exhale and hold it; this division is scored on the taper more than on any single muscle.
5. Hold a relaxed expression and look at the judges rather than past them — presence is explicitly part of the score.

Also called: back position, back pose

1. Turn away and set the feet close together, keeping the weight even so the hips stay level.
2. Spread the lats to their width and hold the shoulders down so the taper runs to a narrow waist.
3. Keep the arms slightly away from the body so daylight shows on both sides of the torso.
4. Hold the head up and square, looking straight ahead rather than over a shoulder.
5. Stay still for the whole turn — the judges are comparing frames, and a shift reads as a lack of control.