How to Wear Classic Physique Trunks

Classic Physique is not Bodybuilding in a smaller trunk. NPC and IFBB Classic Physique has its own garment: black posing trunks, cloth fabric, sides no less than 4½ inches. Bodybuilding-style Rio cuts are not legal in this class. If you need the Bodybuilding how-to, use How to Wear Bodybuilding Trunks.

What the rulebook actually requires

• Black trunks. Not colored hologram, not metallic, not gold or silver lame, not shiny rubberized fabric.
• Cloth fabric. Padding in the trunks is prohibited.
• Sides / hips no less than 4½ inches. A Bodybuilding Rio cut will fail that measurement.
• Shirtless and barefoot. No board shorts. No Bodybuilding posing trunks.
• Number attached to either side of the trunks.
• No commercial logos on the trunks or the body.

Confirm current rules on NPC News Online before you pack the bag. SY’s Pro Cut Classic Physique trunks are built to that side measurement. Custom Pro Cut typically ships in 2 weeks.

How to put them on

1. Step in carefully. One leg at a time. Do not yank the side panels. That 4½-inch side is the legal part of the garment.
2. Set the sides high, not straight across. The waistband should sit just below the obliques so the waist looks smaller and the V-taper reads. A straight, low waistband lengthens the torso.
3. Front pouch height. Too low makes the torso long. Too high makes you look wide. Center it and keep it even left to right.
4. Back lower than the sides. The back panel should sit lower than the high sides so the glutes look full and the waist looks tight. Leg openings even. No riding into a thong line. Thongs are not permitted in any NPC men’s division.

Check the fit in Classic poses, not Bodybuilding poses

Classic mandatory poses are front double biceps, side chest, back double biceps, abdominals and thighs, and a favorite classic pose. No Most Muscular. Do those in the trunks before show day.

• Front: quads, abs, and the 4½-inch side still covering. If the side has crept into a Bodybuilding cut, it is no longer Classic.
• Side chest: the high side should still measure. A gap at the hip is a size problem.
• Rear: glutes covered, no bunching, waistband still high on the sides.

Size starting point at SY: Small 28–30, Medium 32–34 (usually 175–205 lb), Large 36–38. If you are between sizes, call 727-784-0844. Practice in one pair. Keep a clean pair for the stage.

Show day

• Bring a backup pair. Black cloth stains and tan transfer are not a surprise.
• Do not switch into Bodybuilding trunks because they “look sharper.” That is a different division’s garment.
• Go easy on posing oil. Excess oil is prohibited in spirit and makes the trunks slip.

Shop Classic Physique trunks. For Bodybuilding Rio-cut trunks, see How to Wear Bodybuilding Trunks and the bodybuilding trunks collection.