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(1) To examine the muscle thickness of various muscle groups of the body to estimate the absolute and relative skeletal muscle mass (SM) in competitive physique‐based athletes (Bodybuilding, 212 Bodybuilding, Bikini, and Physique divisions) and (2) to compare values across various divisions of competition and to resistance trained and non‐resistance trained individuals.

Eight competitive physique‐based athletes (2 M and 6 F), two recreationally resistance trained (1 M and 1 F) and two non‐resistance trained (1 M and 1 F) participants had muscle thickness measured by ultrasound at nine sites on the anterior and posterior aspects of the body. SM was estimated from an ultrasound‐derived prediction equation and SM index was used to adjust for the influence of standing height (i.e., divided by height squared).

SM values ranged from 19.6 to 60.4 kg in the eight competitive …