UKBFF Body fitness and bikini- what's the difference?

Hello all
Please could someone help me with this. I have just been on the UKBFF site and under forms there are various PDF files about competing. Can I just ask, is 'bikini' what the americans (and possibly other organisations) call 'figure'? And is body fitness the same as 'fitness' where people come on stage and do a routine that is highly charged, gymnastic etc?
Many thanks if you can help!

Hey Honey
 
Bikini is a very soft and not muscular look.. think beach body, then you have Bodyftness which is what most feds call figure and then fitness is meant to be a little more muscular/leaner than bodyfitness but with the jumping about

The fitness category is where a routine is performed.  Body fitness is more shape, proportions like Welshy says, bikini is  softer.
If you can get to a show to watch the categories that may help, if not try contacting Wanda or Helen from the UKBFF for advice on whch class would be best for you.

Hi Welshy
thanks so much for your reply- I just had a look at some photos of various winners from the different categories and I can see a clear difference. I also found this thread, which was very useful in terms of pictures:
http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/UKBFF-Bodyfitness-Comparisons-m3652641.aspx
I was particularly looking at the pictures of Louise Rogers- It just struck me that her legs looked very defined compared to the American competitors such as Nicole Wilkins (I hope this link works) and I wondered if in the UK they judge more on muscle definition and separation? :
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=welcome#!/photo.php?fbid=829628161736&set=a.829625906256.2271208.38503153&type=3&theater

Thankyou Hazel - I am going to go to the August show in Dorchester to watch. I might try and go the Portsmouth show at the end of this month. I have never been to bodybuilding show- do spectators usually watch the evening show or do they stay for the per judging etc? thanks again!
 

Hi mm and welcome to MT. Stay for pre judging, stay for night show, do both. Up to you. You will find many do whatever fits in with their day.

From what I understand bikini is a soft, all in the legs look with 'stances' rather than posing. Bodyfitness is more of a 'figure' look, hard more definition. Fitness class is like 'figure' but with more of a gymnastic routine containing moves to display strength, flexibility and fitness.

The Portsmouth show is a big show to go to; I already know 3 Body Fitness girls and 2 Bodybuilding girls competing there  Definitely worth going to - I am! 
 
The US girls do look different to the European girls for Figure. 
I'd say, aim for the look of your country first - or another way to look at it is, build yourself to how you want to look, then see what class you fall into 
 
The only unfortunate case of this is a girl at my gym is completely stuck between classes. She's American and in the US she'd be in the WP (Women's Physique) class. Here she's too big for Body Fitness; but a little too small to be competitive in Bodybuilding (and doesn't want to get that big either.  Really feel for her.

I really agree with Flick when she suggests creating the look you like and you are happy with 365 days a year, then see where you fit. It's your body after all! The judges only get to look at it for a few minutes. You want to be happy with it and proud of it all the rest of the time :)

Thankyou all for your posts- they are so helpful. I agree that it would be best to spend time getting to where I want to be in terms of fat loss, muscle development. This will take some time I have no doubt and there is no way I would rush myself into competing, that's for sure.
I just thought recently that next year I ought to consider it- at this point I would like to visit some shows;  I know it can be motivating and I feel I need to move up a level and that could be to compete. I have felt for the last few months I have lacked focus at a personal level and just 'ticked along' so to speak. I am now going to think about the next stage and it is truly out of my comfort zone BUT I am not getting any younger, and sometimes I think it is a good idea to do something that is different- I have supportive people close to me, who are really on my side, but then I know I have those near me who  don't quite understand any of it, but perhaps they will as I go on my journey!
thanks all again xxxx