The National Physique Committee (NPC) is the largest amateur bodybuilding organization in the United States. Amateur bodybuilders compete in competitions from local to national competitions sanctioned by the NPC. While the term "bodybuilding" is commonly used to refer to athletes participating in contests sanctioned by the NPC and IFBB Pro League, ten divisions are represented including men's bodybuilding, women's bodybuilding, bikini, men's physique, classic physique, women's physique, figure, fitness, wellness and Fit Model.
History The Amateur Athletic Union is an organization that governs many amateur level sports in the U.S.. Each sport has a committee that provides direct oversight of that sport. For the sport of bodybuilding Jim Manion was the president of the Physique Committee. Manion decided that in order to better promote the sport of bodybuilding, he would need to break away from the AAU, so he founded the National Physique Committee in the early 1980s.
Professional status The NPC is the only amateur organization recognized by the IFBB Professional League. The IFBB Pro League is the professional league for bodybuilding athletes and the sanctioning body for the world's largest professional contests such as the Mr. Olympia, Arnold Sports Festival, and Legion Sports Fest. In order to become an IFBB professional athlete an athlete must compete at an IFBB Pro Qualifier such as the NPC Nationals Championship, NPC USA Championship, or any other pro qualifier. Professional status will be awarded to top placing athletes.
Rules Athletes must possess a valid NPC card to compete in an NPC show. NPC cards are valid for a calendar year.
Eligibility An athlete must be a U.S. citizen to compete in the following national competitions: Masters National Championships USA Championships Team Universe Championships Nationals Championships
Proof of citizenship must be one of the following: A birth certificate A voter’s registration card Military discharge papers Naturalization Papers – Form N560 Consular Service Form FS24 for those born outside of the United States to US parents
Residency is four (4) months prior to a contest or must be a full-time student in the area.
Backstage The only people permitted in the backstage area are competitors, expediters and NPC officials. Coaches or others may be permitted after paying for a backstage pass, along with tickets to the show.
Competitors' Health Any competitor who appears to be disoriented, light-headed or experiences undue cramping will not be permitted to compete. Any competitor disqualified for health reasons must be checked by the attending EMT and, if it is advised by the EMT, must go to the nearest hospital for evaluation. Competitors who refuse to be evaluated by the EMT or at the hospital will be suspended from competition for a period of one year from the date of the occurrence.
Events
Men's Bodybuilding Classic Physique Men's Physique Fitness Women's Bodybuilding Women's Physique Bikini Figure Wellness
Classes Open – Competitors of any age or experience Novice – Athletes who have never placed first in any class/age group in an NPC contest True Novice – Athletes who have never competed in an NPC contest Teen – The athlete must be in the age range that the promoter decides. Can range from 13–19 Junior – The athlete must be under 23 years old or younger on the day of the event Master – The athlete needs to be the minimum age of the division the day of the event
Weight Classes
(Only relevant to specific events) 2 Classes: Lightweight – up to and including 125 lbs Heavyweight – over 125 lbs
3 Classes: Lightweight – up to and including 125 lbs Middleweight – over 125 lbs up to and including 140 lbs Heavyweight – over 140 lbs
4 Classes: Lightweight – up to and including 115 lbs Middleweight – over 115 lbs up to and including 125 lbs Light-Heavyweight – over 125 lbs up to and including 140 lbs Heavyweight – over 140 lbs Lightweight – up to and including 114.5 lbs Middleweight – over 114.5 lbs up to and including 125.5 lbs Heavyweight – over 125.5 lbs
National Champions Men's Overall Bodybuilding Winners 2025: Men's – Devon Barnes 2024: Men's – Reagan King 2023: Men's – Trever Burch 2022: Men's – Walter Debbs 2021: Men's – Carlos Thomas Jr. 2020: Men's – Jonathan Withers 2019: Men's – Matthew Schmidt 2018: Men's – Hunter Labrada 2017: Men's – Chris DiDomenico 2016: Men's – Shaun Vasquez 2015: Men's – Sergio Oliva Jr. 2014: Men's – Alexis Rolon 2013: Men's – Kevin Jordan 2012: Men's – Brian Yersky 2011: Men's – Todd Jewell 2010: Men's – Robert Burneika 2009: Men's - Cedric McMillan 2008: Men's - Edward Nunn 2007: Men's - Evan Centopani 2006: Men's - Desmond Miller 2005: Men's - William Wilmore 2004: Men's - Chris Cook 2003: Men's - Mat DuVall 2002: Men's - Toney Freeman 2001: Men's - Johnnie Jackson 2000: Men's - Victor Martinez 1999: Men's - Aaron Maddron 1998: Men's - Jason Arntz 1997: Men's - Tom Prince 1996: Men's - Willie Stalling 1995: Men's - Don Long 1994: Men's - Paul Demayo 1993: Men's - Michael Francois 1992: Men's - John Sherman 1991: Men's - Kevin Levrone 1990: Men's - Alq' Gurley 1989: Men's - Troy Zuccolotto 1988: Men's - Vince Taylor 1987: Men's - Shawn Ray 1986: Men's - Gary Strydom 1985: Men's - Phil Williams 1984: Men's - Mike Christian 1983: Men's - Bob Paris 1982: Men's - Lee Haney
See also Bodybuilding Female bodybuilding
References
Further reading The NPC News. National Physique Committee of the U.S.A. Pittsburgh, PA.
External links Official website