Ideal Bodyfat %'s

Group: General Diet & Nutrition

Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 399, Messages: 16719

With such a topic so broad we truly try to cover the basics from all angles in this group. Nothing too big or too small. Nutrition is as significant if not more as exercise is to reaching your goals so learn all you can.

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JustinE22 Posts: 1,312 Joined: 2003/09/18	2004/10/02, 04:27 PM What percentage do your abs start to show?

bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2004/10/01, 11:07 PM There have been more than a few posts asking what bodyfat percentages are considered lean for instance, or overweight, etc. I got this from my gym, this is their standards they use to evaluate folks... Men Low(very lean)...under 11% Low(lean)....11-14% Avg....15-17% Fair...18-22% Unhealthy....22+% Women Low(very lean)....under 19% Low(lean)...19-22% Avg.....23-27% Fair....28-35% Unhealthy....35+% Again, not my figures:big_smile::big_smile: -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.... bb1fit@freetrainers.com
asimmer Posts: 8,201 Joined: 2003/01/07	2004/10/02, 09:51 AM Just for a visual on that - Men in a bodybuilding competition compete around 6% bodyfat, or lower. Women bodybuilders compete around 9% or lower. Men generally start feeling defined around 14%, in my training experience, but are happier lower as their abs come out. Women start really feeling good in the low twenty%, but 15-18% is really a nice place to be. It all depends on how you want to look. -------------- "Achieving worthwhile goals requires a consistent investment of time and effort on your part....The rewards you receive will be in direct proportion to the consistent effort you put forth." Brian Johnston, The Power of The Champions
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2004/10/03, 02:13 PM around 12 I think............... thats sucks......I'm only in "fair":( -------------- ......quote the Andrew....nevermore
asimmer Posts: 8,201 Joined: 2003/01/07	2004/10/04, 10:42 PM Most guys around 11%, but it is going to depend how you carry your bodyfat. -------------- "Achieving worthwhile goals requires a consistent investment of time and effort on your part....The rewards you receive will be in direct proportion to the consistent effort you put forth." Brian Johnston, The Power of The Champions
pimple Posts: 490 Joined: 2003/07/08	2004/10/05, 12:34 AM i was at 9% a few months ago and the abs were way cut (i'd been working them hard since i was at 21% bf, going against what most folks recommend), and now that i'm a ways into my gaining cycle, i'm currently at 12% and the abs are still pretty defined (although the lower abs are starting to fade somewhat)... bleh, i'd trade that for a 1/2 an inch on my arms any day of the week... heh... -------------- The following sentence is true. The previous sentence is false.
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2004/10/05, 04:30 PM yea you can have alot of intercellar fat, but still be fairly "cut" and have a six pack -------------- ......quote the Andrew....nevermore
pimple Posts: 490 Joined: 2003/07/08	2004/10/05, 08:11 PM i guess... nothing like being cut and having lots of intercellar fatness... -------------- The following sentence is true. The previous sentence is false.
	2004/10/24, 06:55 AM My body fat % is around 6-7...and my abs are still not very defined, especially the lower 4...I don't know..my abs are very strong and I could feel the muscles underneath a small layer of fat...but I just can't seem to get rid of 'that layer of fat' heh...but this scale I am very lean...DO i need to get down to like 2-5% to see my abs really well defined?
JustinE22 Posts: 1,312 Joined: 2003/09/18	2004/11/10, 06:15 PM Is it real difficult to go from 20% to 15%? Saying your loosing 1 pound a week proper diet, because i know when you get down below the teens it get difficult but could you drop from 20 to 15 in a 6-8 week cutting cycle.
	2005/01/14, 05:10 AM Justin it's definetely doable...you're right, it's easier to drop from teens than from single digits... also in first post the avg figures for bf for women is too high as far as I know...I read in different places it's between 18-25....18-22 in some and 22-25 in others....very lean like for long distance runners as far as I know is more like 10-12%.....not 19.....figures for men I think are more in line with what I generally see
asimmer Posts: 8,201 Joined: 2003/01/07	2005/01/14, 06:02 AM Women are considered very fit at 18% - 15%. Once they go below 14% they risk health problems, long distance runners are not the norm they tend to be ectomorphs and to run off all of their mass and fat and often have eating disorders (in my experience). -------------- An old thought for the New Year - \'If you fall down seven times, get up eight\' What matters is that you continue on.
	2005/01/17, 05:41 AM hmm....that was me...don't know why it's null :/
	2005/02/17, 04:27 PM bump
Smurfetta Posts: 83 Joined: 2005/02/15	2005/02/21, 11:58 PM Thanks for posting this! I really need to get my butt in gear and lower my bodyfat.
sstump1 Posts: 1,227 Joined: 2005/03/20	2005/04/01, 10:29 AM When I started a week and a half ago I was sitting at 22% BF...Goal is to get down to 15%. I've changed my diet considerably and am doing a circuit training routine Mon/Wed/Fri and have already lost a few lbs in a short time. What's a realistic time frame to check my BF %?
guerineagles Posts: 4 Joined: 2005/04/10	2005/04/10, 03:55 PM how do you calculate body fat percentage?:cool: -------------- What doesn\\'t kill you makes you stronger- Football Coach
eaglesfan Posts: 18 Joined: 2005/04/06	2005/04/13, 06:50 PM There's one online you have to measure hips forearm and etc.
eaglesfan Posts: 18 Joined: 2005/04/06	2005/04/13, 06:51 PM a body fat percentage calculator that is. anyway i'm at about 19 percent a while to go before my abs even show.
dvelswk Posts: 192 Joined: 2005/05/07	2005/05/25, 09:58 PM The best way to get body fat percentages I think is the caliber, you can go to a gym and someone there (maybe manager) will be able to do it for you, that's where I get mine done.
krystal_reeves Posts: 33 Joined: 2005/05/18	2005/05/27, 06:16 AM I am very fat.. anyways... I don't believe people should be below 10% body fat. Men, look nice (to me) with a little muscle and a little meat on their bones. I am not into that body builder figure personally.
dvelswk Posts: 192 Joined: 2005/05/07	2005/05/31, 07:07 AM How accurate does everyone think the ft fat calculator is? It described my fat as being 5%, I'm 185lbs with 27 inch waist... Some people compete at that body fat, and I know I'm not any where near as lean as those guys are, I'm far from it. I always thought I was 11% or something like that. I'm questioning whether that's very accurate or not (the 5% one).
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2005/07/21, 06:32 AM No, it really is not "accruate". It can be used as a relative number to assure you are headed in the right direction. I would doubt you seriously also at 5%, I have conmpeted at that bf as you state. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.... bb1fit@freetrainers.com