Body fat percentage?

[Prophet]

Is there an ideal healthy body fat percentage or is it just a level to gauge progress etc?

Is there a percentage where muscle becomes more defined or does this differ from person to person?

Just something I was wondering on a boring Thursday afternoon

 

[s4ch117]

Think the following is roughly accurate

Essential fat 5-8%
Athletes 6-13%
Fitness 14–17%
Average 18–24%
Obese 25%+

 

[reiyushin]

Think the following is roughly accurate

Essential fat 5-8%
Athletes 6-13%
Fitness 14–17%
Average 18–24%
Obese 25%+

More or less for men yea.

 

[reiyushin]

As for definition on average it happens around 10%.

Then again, all depends on what you call defined

 

[reiyushin]

Bah keeping thinking about this:

My lecturer warned that some people undergo hormonal changes below ~10%, I haven't had time to research this any further though..

 

[platypus]

I'm under 10% and haven't noticed any hormonal change...

 

[Prophet]

I'm under 10% and haven't noticed any hormonal change...

What height and weight are you?

I think I'm currently around 22% going on one of those 'super accurate gym machines'.

 

[reiyushin]

I'm under 10% and haven't noticed any hormonal change...

Hence the "some people"

 

[reiyushin]

What height and weight are you?

I think I'm currently around 22% going on one of those 'super accurate gym machines'.

What machine was it?

Handheld? Stand on? Lay down?

 

[crunchman]

Bah keeping thinking about this:

My lecturer warned that some people undergo hormonal changes below ~10%, I haven't had time to research this any further though..

I'd imagine that's in women

 

[Prophet]

What machine was it?

Handheld? Stand on? Lay down?

Stand on.

I have no doubt it's accuracy sucks.

 

[reiyushin]

I'd imagine that's in women

Definately in women but I'm pretty sure he said men, I'll have to double check though...he tends to drone on and on so I might have just dreamt it in class...

 

[reiyushin]

Stand on.

I have no doubt it's accuracy sucks.

Did it give you a print out, like a receipt?

 

[reiyushin]

Initial reading suggests he was talking out of his ass. (Or I really was asleep)

Essential fat for men is 3% and it's 12% for women (McKatchnKatch)

 

[Prophet]

Did it give you a print out, like a receipt?

Yes although I can't remember where it is!

It was a few Months ago, I just remember the percentage.

 

[platypus]

What height and weight are you?

I think I'm currently around 22% going on one of those 'super accurate gym machines'.

5'10" and 70kgs with a 28" waist .

 

[Prophet]

5'10" and 70kgs with a 28" waist .

Are you sure you've not experienced hormonal changes

I'm 6'4" around 92kgs and have a 38" waist. I'd really like to get back to a constant 34" waist and lose a good few kgs.

 

[TommyV]

5'11, 85.5kg's atm here, 32" wait, am happy with that, it's the top bit i wanna get more inches on! (and maybe a couple downstairs wouldn't go a miss haha)

 

[Jonny69]

5'10, 70kg and 32" waist. I like my dinner more than Platypus

 

[Freefaller]

There will be hormonal changes as the the fatter you are the more oestrogen you will have in your body, so the more shredded you become test becomes more prominent, but then you're also delving into GH and insulin responsiveness.

However unless you're measuring your blood levels, measuring hormonal levels are nigh on impossible really - so whilst the statement is potentially correct, "spotting" it, isn't like finding a spot on your face - it's somewhat more subtle.