What is the bikini division?

In one line

The bikini division is a women's division in which competitors wear a two-piece swimsuit and high heels to show a firm, balanced body shaped by training and diet.

What is the bikini division?
The women's division that walks the stage in heels
Bodybuilding shows include a division where competitors walk the stage in a two-piece swimsuit and high heels. That division is bikini. Because of the swimsuit it can look like a beauty pageant, but judges are looking at a body built by training.
In one line
A firm body shaped by training and diet
Bikini is a women's division in which competitors show a firm, balanced body shaped by training and diet, wearing a two-piece swimsuit and high heels. There should be enough muscle to give the body shape, but not so much that the muscles look split apart.
When it started
An official division since 2010
The International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) recognized bikini as an official division in 2010. It was first called 'bikini fitness' and was renamed simply 'bikini' in 2021. It came out of the 2010s trend in which several new women's divisions branched off from bodybuilding.
What they wear
A two-piece swimsuit and high heels
Competitors (people entered in the show) wear a two-piece swimsuit and high heels. The suit bottom has to cover part of the buttocks, and thong styles that leave them almost bare are banned. Unlike in bodybuilding, jewelry such as earrings and bracelets is allowed.
What happens on stage
Front and back stances and a stage walk
Competitors stand in set front and back stances to show their bodies. A 'model walk', where they walk to center stage, turn and walk again, is also judged. Classes are split by height, not by body weight.
What judges look at, part 1
Muscle that gives the body shape
Judges check whether there is enough muscle to give the body shape. Typical examples are round, firm glutes, slightly rounded shoulders and a toned stomach. The rules say this firmness should come from training and diet.
What judges look at, part 2
The overall impression counts
Judges also look at overall balance, proportions and skin condition. They see hair, makeup, swimsuit and tan together as one 'total package'. A confident, graceful manner from walking onstage to walking off is judged as well.
How it differs from figure
Less hard, less split muscle
'Figure' is a women's division that shows more muscle than bikini. The bikini rules say competitors should not show the full, dense muscle and the splits between muscles seen in figure. So bikini looks for a softer, smoother body than figure.
A common misconception
Is leaner and more split always better?
No. The rules tell judges to mark down bodies that are too lean, too hard or too muscular. Visible splits between muscles or fine lines on the muscle surface (striations) are also marked down. Bikini wants a body that is firm from lower fat but still looks healthy.
Summary
A division for a firm but soft body
Bikini is a women's division in which competitors show a firm, balanced body shaped by training and diet, wearing a two-piece swimsuit and high heels. The leanest, most split body does not win; going too far is marked down. Related terms: figure division, wellness division, contest tanning.