Goal Body Fat Percentage? [Forum Archive]

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Goal Body Fat Percentage?

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Posted by: Robin Hood

I will be competing in my first natural bodybuilding comp September 10th.

I am currently at 128 lbs with 17-18% bodyfat. What should be my ideal body fat for a competition?

Thanks in advance

Posted by: Emma-Leigh

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

I will be competing in my first natural bodybuilding comp September 10th.

I am currently at 128 lbs with 17-18% bodyfat. What should be my ideal body fat for a competition?

Thanks in advance

For BB, most females I know like to come in around 8%, or somwhere between 6 and 10% (depending on how they look at a particular BF%). Anything above ~10% and you might be too soft.

Personally, I am not too sure how possible 6% is for a female.... But I know people who 'aim' for it.

Posted by: JLB001

I'd aim for the 8% range like Emma suggested. Less would be better, but harder to get too, but can be done.

Posted by: Robin Hood

I'm 5'4" will i look too "thin" if I get down to that percentage? My LBM is 105 lbs right now. If I'm 10%, that takes me down to about 116 lbs. 8% would take me down to 114 lbs (just within the limit for light weight in the level comps). I realize that top of a weight class is usually the way to go, but I'm wondering if I go down that low if I'll look like shit for my first comp.

Posted by: Robin Hood

So yeah, I'm doing a lot of thinking about this....I have been down to 112-115 before...I looked thin, but that was a couple years a go and didn't have the muscle that I have now. So maybe I wouldn't look bad.

Another thing, I measure my body fat % with a device they have at Bally's (which can simply be purchased at Radio Shack). A couple of the trainers said it measures high. I'm thinking I should go get it measure elsewhere if I'm going to set any goals with regards to bodyfat.

Posted by: Robin Hood

Another question...haha...you guys are going to love me!

Is 3 mos out a good time to start "cutting"?

Posted by: Robin Hood

Anyone??

Posted by: sdupdike

Well, I'm no pro. Currently cutting for my first comp also. But I believe 12 weeks out is about average to start cutting for a comp. I started cleaning up my diet around 16 weeks and got more strict with it at 12 weeks. And I started at about where you are, I was 130, 17 - 18%. Now at 8 weeks out, I'm at about 125, 14% (hpefully my BF% has dropped a little, getting tested today

Posted by: musclepump

12 weeks is common for experienced competitors. A lot of others use 16, and people who have really tough times cutting use 18-20.

Posted by: JLB001

12 to 16 weeks is the norm.

Posted by: Robin Hood

Thanks guys. I already eat pretty clean right now and have reduced my caloric intake by about 150 cals/day. 12 weeks out is when I plan to start cutting dairy and fruit and any processed carbs (e.g., the dark rye bread that I eat). Also plan to really up the cardio around then too.

Posted by: musclepump

I think that's too far out to start cardio. Don't want to drop calories and start cardio--too much of an output on the body.

Posted by: Robin Hood

Quote:

Originally Posted by musclepump

I think that's too far out to start cardio. Don't want to drop calories and start cardio--too much of an output on the body.

How much cardio would you suggest...remember you're a man and probably had an easier time shedding the fat...women naturally carry more bodyfat and I carry it around my butt and upper thighs. I'm worried about getting those areas leaned out.

I did a "test run" of the diet last fall... I got down to 14% BF and 122 lbs in 10 weeks....I need to go a lot lower than that for competition.

Any cardio advice from the ladies in the field? (Bodybuilding/Figure/Fitness)

Posted by: JLB001

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

Thanks guys. I already eat pretty clean right now and have reduced my caloric intake by about 150 cals/day. 12 weeks out is when I plan to start cutting dairy and fruit and any processed carbs (e.g., the dark rye bread that I eat). Also plan to really up the cardio around then too.

Recent pics?

Posted by: Robin Hood

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLB001

Recent pics?

I'll try and take some this weekend....been trying to get my boyfriend to act as photographer...we're both sooo busy!

I have good muscle development. Just need to get it showing again. He is assuring me that it'll go when I diet and do more cardio. My biggest problem area is right underneath my butt. There is like a strip of fat that just won't go away. I'm not worried about getting the rest lean, I know it'll be a cinch as I had no trouble during my test run.

Also when I cut last fall, I didn't have the muscle development in my lower body that I do now, so he said that will also play a big factor and help in cutting my b/f around those areas.

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