The Importance of Facial Expressions and Smiling for Judges
I have seen so many guys in the Men Physique category who look like they are in physical pain when they are posing. I know we are all tired and hungry during peak week but the judges really value a relaxed and confident facial expression. I am trying to practice my smile as much as my quarter turns.
In New York the competition is fierce and sometimes the difference between first and second place is just the overall energy you bring to the stage. If you look like you are miserable it reflects poorly on your package. You have to look like you are having the time of your life.
How do you keep your face from twitching when you are holding a pose for a long time? I find that my jaw starts to shake after about thirty seconds. I am trying to keep my eyes bright and engaged with the judging panel. Does anyone have any mental tricks to stay composed under pressure?
Spot on, NYC_Physique. I’ve seen lasses in the bikini category over here in the UK who look absolutely terrified. If you can't smile while you're flexed to the max, the judges assume you're struggling. It's about looking like you belong on that stage, not like you're being tortured.
I disagree slightly. In Open Bodybuilding, a 'war face' can actually look pretty badass. But for Physique? Yeah, you gotta look like you're having the time of your life at a pool party in Austin. If you aren't smiling, you're losing points on presentation.
Totally agree with the pool party vibe for Physique. I tell my clients in BC to practice 'smiling with their eyes' while doing heavy deadlifts. If you can control your face when the weight is heavy, you can control it on stage when the lights are hot.
The 'pain face' is so distracting! I was at a show in Manchester recently and this one girl had incredible conditioning, but she was grimacing so hard it made me uncomfortable. It’s a beauty and symmetry sport as much as it is muscle—your face is part of that symmetry.
I have been looking into this myself and honestly the options are overwhelming. I tried the constant smile during my last mock prep in Chicago and my jaw actually cramped up. Is there a trick to keeping it natural without looking like a wax figure?
Mike, you gotta relax the lips but keep the cheeks high. I practice in the mirror while I'm on the stationary bike at the gym. If I can maintain a pleasant expression while my heart rate is at 150 bpm, I know I've got it locked for the stage.
Exactly. And don't forget to look at the judges, not the floor or the ceiling. Eye contact with a genuine smile tells them you're confident in your package.
LondonLad, the eye contact is huge. I see guys looking at their own feet when they transition. It breaks the illusion of perfection immediately.
I still think the 'scary' look has its place in the heavier classes. When you're hitting a most muscular, a smile looks a bit creepy lol.
True, TX, but even in Open, you want to show 'effortless power.' A grimace shows the judges you're at your absolute limit. A confident, slightly stoic look shows you've got even more in the tank.
How do you deal with the dry mouth though? My smile always gets 'stuck' to my teeth because of the dehydration at the end of prep. It looks proper mental.
A bit of Vaseline on the teeth! It's an old pageant trick but it works like a charm. Your lips will slide right over and you won't get that 'stuck' look during your T-walk.
Vaseline on the teeth... I'm learning things today I never expected lol. Does it taste terrible?
You don't really notice the taste when you're that hungry and thirsty on show day, Mike! Another thing: practice your 'resting' face. When the judges aren't looking directly at you, don't let the mask slip. They're still watching out of the corner of their eye.
Maple is right. The 'standing at attention' face is just as important as the 'hitting the pose' face. You need to look composed the entire time you're on stage, even if you've been standing there for 20 minutes of call-outs.
I’ve started doing 'Face Yoga'... sounds ridiculous but it helps with muscle endurance in the cheeks. If you want to win, you can't leave any stone unturned.
Face yoga! I love it. I'll try anything to stop looking like I’ve just seen a ghost when I hit my side pose.
What about for guys with beards? Does that hide the 'pain face' or does it just make the jawline look blocky? I’m debating shaving for my next show in Houston.
Keep it tight, TX. A bushy beard can hide your neck and trap muscles, which makes you look shorter. A bit of stubble is fine, but you want the judges to see the jaw flex when you're grit-smiling.