Novice Show:
A novice show is a bodybuilding and fitness show for athletes who have never competed. Athletes who placed 4th, 5th, and 6th in a Novice show, may remain a novice for one more year DIRECTLY AFTER the first year they competed. Regardless of the athlete’s placing during this year, he/she will have to move on to the Provincial level.
If an athlete places 1st, 2nd or 3rd during the Novice show and the athlete enters any other competition during that year where he/she doesn’t enter as a ‘novice’ – their novice status is forfeit. Also if an athlete decides to go to a different division – let’s say from juniors to senior men or from senior men to masters – he is NOT regarded as a novice athlete anymore.
If an athlete has never entered any BBSA/IFBB competition before and they choose NOT to enter the novice competition first, but to enter any provincial competition first – he/she may NOT go ‘back’ and enter any novice competition. He/she will then be redeemed as an ‘experienced’ athlete.
Intermediate Show:
An intermediate show is a show which is held within a Province and only athletes from that specific Province may enter the Intermediate show. The purpose of this show is to give athletes that don't want to enter Sanctioned shows the opportunity to still participate in their respective Provinces.
Sanctioned Show:
A sanctioned show is a show that is held by a private institute or a promoter. The private institute/promoter provide funding to host the show but the show must be held strictly under IFBB rules and may be sanctioned by no other federation. The private institute/promoter has to provide a proposal for the show for approval. Sanctioned shows can be attended by athletes Nationwide.
Provincial Show:
Provincial shows are shows that are being hosted within a specific Province, and only athletes from that Province may enter the Provincial show. Normally athletes are selected to represent the Province at the South African National Championships at their Provincial show.
National Show:
A National show is a show where all the Provinces compete against each other, representing their respective Provinces.