Pro Card?

[Hulk2be]

I realize some of you will probably think this is a dumb question and wonder how I can be so stupid, but what does it mean when it is said that someone earned their pro card? And what exactly is a pro card?

[CelticMuscle]

Originally Posted by Hulk2be

I realize some of you will probably think this is a dumb question and wonder how I can be so stupid, but what does it mean when it is said that someone earned their pro card? And what exactly is a pro card?

A pro card is (in laymen's terms) a ticket to compete in professional competitions. It is usually awarded as a prize at an amateur contest which has links to professional organisations.

[BIGJOEY]

To answer your question a Pro card here in the United States allowes you to compete in the I.F.B.B. which is the professional division of bodybuilding. The pros compete for money and prizes amatures don.t . You can only get a I.F.B.B. pro card here in the states by competing in the N.P.C. which is the largest amature bodybuilding organization here in the states. there are other amature organizations and other pro cards in them but the I.F.B.B. is the top of the sport. At present there are only 5 amature shows you can earn a pro card in and the amount varies in those contest. They are Nationals. North Americans, The USA, Teen collegete Masters Nationals( cards only in masters sections) and Team Universe.
One has to qualify to enter one of these shows by placing in a national qualifying show. Dependig on the show it could be top 3 or top 5 in the weight pr height class. hope this helps

[Mdlftr]

Originally Posted by BIGJOEY

To answer your question a Pro card here in the United States allowes you to compete in the I.F.B.B. which is the professional division of bodybuilding. The pros compete for money and prizes amatures don.t . You can only get a I.F.B.B. pro card here in the states by competing in the N.P.C. which is the largest amature bodybuilding organization here in the states. there are other amature organizations and other pro cards in them but the I.F.B.B. is the top of the sport. At present there are only 5 amature shows you can earn a pro card in and the amount varies in those contest. They are Nationals. North Americans, The USA, Teen collegete Masters Nationals( cards only in masters sections) and Team Universe.
One has to qualify to enter one of these shows by placing in a national qualifying show. Dependig on the show it could be top 3 or top 5 in the weight pr height class. hope this helps

BigJoey,
Are the 5 amateur shows all held at the same time every year? Is there a comptetion "season" during the year when all the bodybuilding shows are held? In other sports you have the regular season and then the divisionals and then the finals. Is that true in bodybuilding? Is there some sort of "bracket" system or playoffs leading to the Olympia?

I know that traditionally the Olympia (held worldwide?) is the "superbowl" of bodybuilding. Is that still true? Are there other contests which now rival or surpass it in importance? The Arnold, for example- is that more important?

Thanks for your answers,

Mdlftr

[suma]

the Pro Card system is an easy way to say that a given bber thru winning a show or placing high enough at other shows has proven and displayed his ability and knowledge at competitive bbing. That he has the conditioning and size level to compete at a pro level.

It helps with sponsorship, and other jobs that a bber may get hired for.

[BIGJOEY]

the contest season starts late Jan and finishes early dec. The 5 pro qualifying shows are held the same time each year between july and november . the 5 shows are the following

teen collegete masters nations ( cards in masters only)

team universe

the USA'S

Nprth Americans

Nationals

[BIGJOEY]

In the Pro ranks you either have to place in the top 4 at the Arnold or the Olympia or win or place 2nd at any other pro show to get a Olympia invite. there is the 212 class and under and 212 and over thats it

In the amature it goes by weight in bodybuilding, height in mens physique
or age and weight in bodybuilding it depends on the contest.

[Mdlftr]

Originally Posted by BIGJOEY

the contest season starts late Jan and finishes early dec. The 5 pro qualifying shows are held the same time each year between july and november . the 5 shows are the following

teen collegete masters nations ( cards in masters only)

team universe

the USA'S

Nprth Americans

Nationals

So if I understand this correctly,
the contest season of bodybuilding events lasts 12 months during the year, starting in January and running into December. The most significant events, in terms of allowing a competitor to advance from amateur to pro status, that is, making money off a competition, occur in the five months of July thorough November. These are the 5 qualifying shows you listed above.

The NPC is the recognized certifying authority for professional bodybuilders. It recognizes 5 different qualifying shows by which competitors can advance to the pro ranks.

The pro shows include the Olympia, which is the most prestigious title, followed by the Arnold, and others? Southern States? NYC Night of Champions? [ I don't know what the pro shows are]

Bodybuilders can make money competiting as pros. On the side, apart from competition, they can make money by posing for private customers who pay them for flexing. They can also do other sideline activities like sell "supplements" be spokespersons for companies, become personal trainers or own or manage gyms.

Does that about cover it?

Mdlftr