The unseen side of bodybuilding: Competitors take cigarette breaks, compare tans and do last minute stretches as they prepare to take to the stage at the UK IBFA finals
- These athletes achieved their impressive physiques using 'old school' methods
There's no school like the old school, as they say, well these athletes show just what the human body is capable of following the traditional methods of bodybuilding.
The winners of this year's IBFA's 12th annual finals have been announced, showcasing the most muscle-bound Brits across the entire country.
IBFA UK is a non-profit bodybuilding federation that works to 'keep the old school values of the sport alive'.
They hold numerous bodybuilding shows across the UK and cater for both amateurs and professionals of the sport.
This year, 85 people entered with people across the country, from Aberdeen to Exeter.
![Bodybuilders Lois Moremon and Paul Chadwick backstage enjoying a crafty cigarette and vape](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/23/19/76903813-12662483-image-a-89_1698084330805.jpg)
Bodybuilders Lois Moremon and Paul Chadwick backstage enjoying a crafty cigarette and vape
![Male bodybuilder Przemyslaw Gebicki pumps up backstage before going out to pose](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/23/19/76903821-12662483-image-a-90_1698084341621.jpg)
Male bodybuilder Przemyslaw Gebicki pumps up backstage before going out to pose
![Male bodybuilders wait backstage during the IBFA British Finals Night of Champions contest](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/09/76927611-12662483-image-a-1_1698137550463.jpg)
Male bodybuilders wait backstage during the IBFA British Finals Night of Champions contest
![Bodybuilder Terry Turner with his winning trophy backstage. Around 85 people entered this year's contest](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/10/76928345-12662483-image-a-14_1698138856696.jpg)
Bodybuilder Terry Turner with his winning trophy backstage. Around 85 people entered this year's contest
![A group of ripped male bodybuilders pose as they battle it out at the IBFA British Finals Night of Champions](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/09/76927655-12662483-image-a-2_1698137754246.jpg)
A group of ripped male bodybuilders pose as they battle it out at the IBFA British Finals Night of Champions
![The contest was held at the Federation Brewery in Gateshead, Britain, on October 22, 2023](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/10/76928343-12662483-image-a-15_1698138881086.jpg)
The contest was held at the Federation Brewery in Gateshead, Britain, on October 22, 2023
![Joanne Caldwell showcases her impressive guns to the audience. Winners of the contest received swords](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/23/19/76903781-12662483-image-a-84_1698084296416.jpg)
Joanne Caldwell showcases her impressive guns to the audience. Winners of the contest received swords
It was held at the Federation Brewery in Gateshead, Britain, on October 22, 2023.
The overall winners were Charles (Charlie) Barrett and Kelsey Yung, who both won 'unique swords and trophies'. Mr Barrett also won £1,000 in prize money.
IBFA UK president Martyn Yates, who put on the show, told MailOnline: 'Those who won have qualified for the World Championships in Rome next year.
'The IBFA is an Italian federation, but this is the UK branch.
'Considering there are around 17 UK bodybuilding federations currently, we're going from strength to strength.
'We've built up a good clientele, you know, building a good following and we have nine qualifiers throughout the UK.
'The IBFA sticks to bodybuilding values which were established in the 50s and 60s.
'We judge the whole physique. Our school is the old school, we keep the values to remember where we came from.'
Along with a picture of an enormous and deadly-looking sword, Ms Yung said: 'I can barely keep my eyes open.
'Little tinks is worn out. I’m over the moon with my results today.
'Blown away with winning the overall and most of all so happy to be in my happy place, the stage.
![Bodybuilder Mark Law celebrates victory during the IBFA British Finals Night of Champions contest](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/23/19/76901191-12662483-image-a-83_1698084044027.jpg)
Bodybuilder Mark Law celebrates victory during the IBFA British Finals Night of Champions contest
![A male bodybuilder is spray tanned backstage in preparation for wowing the crowd](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/23/19/76903847-12662483-image-a-91_1698084345692.jpg)
A male bodybuilder is spray tanned backstage in preparation for wowing the crowd
![Bodybuilders walk backstage. The IBFA hold numerous bodybuilding shows across the UK](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/23/19/76903843-12662483-image-a-92_1698084349348.jpg)
Bodybuilders walk backstage. The IBFA hold numerous bodybuilding shows across the UK
![Female bodybuilder Joanne Caldwell competes during the IBFA British Finals Night of Champions](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/23/19/76901171-12662483-image-a-80_1698084027490.jpg)
Female bodybuilder Joanne Caldwell competes during the IBFA British Finals Night of Champions
![Male bodybuilders compete on stage during the IBFA British Finals Night of Champions contest at the Federation Brewery in Gateshead](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/23/19/76901187-12662483-image-a-81_1698084034009.jpg)
Male bodybuilders compete on stage during the IBFA British Finals Night of Champions contest at the Federation Brewery in Gateshead
![Male bodybuilder Paul Chadwick competes on stage. The IBFA uses 'old school' methods](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/23/19/76901183-12662483-image-a-82_1698084040645.jpg)
Male bodybuilder Paul Chadwick competes on stage. The IBFA uses 'old school' methods
![Joanne Caldwell flexes her arms, showing her sinewy body. This was the 12th annual contest](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/23/19/76903839-12662483-image-a-85_1698084301519.jpg)
Joanne Caldwell flexes her arms, showing her sinewy body. This was the 12th annual contest
![A male bodybuilder's silhouette can be seen as he poses on the stage during the competition in Gateshead](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/23/19/76903809-12662483-image-a-87_1698084316986.jpg)
A male bodybuilder's silhouette can be seen as he poses on the stage during the competition in Gateshead
![Nick Clark and Dean Smith prepare backstage. IBFA UK is a non-profit bodybuilding federation](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/23/19/76903789-12662483-image-a-88_1698084327514.jpg)
Nick Clark and Dean Smith prepare backstage. IBFA UK is a non-profit bodybuilding federation
'Thank you to everyone who supported me today, I love you all.
'Sword and trophies arrived home safely.
'My dog is happy to congratulate me and take a pic too.
'Food prepped for tomorrow as peak week again for the NABBA universe.
'Now I need to scrub this tan and makeup off and get these hair extensions out for a busy day of clients tomorrow to be continued.'