Do you want to know more about professional bodybuilding organizations? Bodybuilding is a trendy sport and has a long history. Many organizations govern the sport, each with its own rules and regulations.
Are you interested in bodybuilding and considering competing professionally? If so, it’s essential to understand the different professional bodybuilding organizations.
Most Influential Professional Bodybuilding Organization
This guide will briefly overview some leading organizations and their main differences. Bodybuilding organizations are responsible for setting the standards and rules that govern the sport of bodybuilding.
These organizations promote bodybuilding competitions, which are used to determine the world’s top bodybuilders. Read on if you’re interested in learning more about these organizations and how they operate!
International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB)
The International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious professional bodybuilding organizations. It was founded in 1946 by brothers Joe and Ben Weider, two influential figures in the bodybuilding industry.
The IFBB is responsible for setting rules for international competitions, such as judging criteria and drug testing protocols. They also hold various championships throughout the year, such as the Mr. Olympia competition, considered one of the highest achievements in professional bodybuilding.
National Physique Committee (NPC)
The National Physique Committee is a professional bodybuilding organization that hosts amateur bodybuilding competitions across all 50 states. The NPC was founded in 1982 by Jim Manion, who still serves as its president.
The NPC focuses on providing opportunities for up-and-coming amateur bodybuilders to compete against each other on a local level before attempting to go pro with more established organizations like the IFBB.
In addition to holding regular competitions, they also offer educational resources such as nutrition advice, training tips, and posing tutorials.
Organization of Competitive Bodybuilders (OCB)
The Organization of Competitive Bodybuilders is another professional bodybuilding organization that provides opportunities for amateur athletes looking to break into competitive bodybuilding.
Founded in 1994 by Bob Cicherillo, an experienced competitive bodybuilder himself, the OCB hosts dozens of events throughout the year, from local shows to national championships. They also intensely focus on health education, with seminars on nutrition and supplementation offered at some events.
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)
The AAU is one of the oldest professional bodybuilding organizations for amateur sports in America, established in 1888 by William Porter Ogden.
The AAU sanctions numerous sports across all age groups, including professional wrestling, boxing, weightlifting, powerlifting, gymnastics, and, more recently—bodybuilding.
Its mission is to provide “the opportunity for athletes to develop their skills at all levels” while promoting physical fitness throughout America’s youth population.
World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF)
The WNBF is another major player in natural bodybuilding across America. This professional bodybuilding organization was established in 1989 with a focus on promoting “drug-free” sportsmanship among its participants—meaning that any competitor found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs will be indefinitely banned from their competition.
The WNBF holds many events each year ranging from local to state level shows; some notable ones include their World Championship event, held annually since 1994 at Las Vegas, Nevada, every summertime.
Their annual Grand Prix series consists of five contests each year across various states, including Florida and Michigan, where top prizes can reach up to $15000 per event!
The Last Word on A Guide to Professional Bodybuilding Organizations
Bodybuilding is a gratifying sport that can lead to outstanding personal accomplishments if you are willing to put time and effort into it.
Before you start, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with some of the leading professional organizations out there so you can find one that best fits your goals and ambitions.
Whether you choose IFBB or NPC, or OCB doesn’t matter—what does matter is finding an organization that will help you reach your goals as a competitive athlete! Best of luck!
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