bodyfat question

nikegurl · 04-15-2002, 11:27 AM

i'm going to ask a hard one....i know individuals vary a lot in how they carry their bodyfat etc. i'm really only looking for a broad generalization here.

asking about women's bodyfat levels.

if you hear a woman has 20% bodyfat are you picturing someone pretty average? pudgier then average? lean but not defined at all?

at 18% do you envision some definition and also some fat on hips/thighs still? like a flat stomach but no abs showing?

anyone willing to take a stab at this huge generalization? like at what levels do you not expect to see any actual fat? when do abs start to show (typically) when do you see veins in arms and shoulders? quad definition?

i know this is so hard to say but really curious just what you think as ballpark numbers and what they look like.

thanks

elvn · 04-15-2002, 01:22 PM

i'm pretty sure i've heard that ab defn. starts to show for a woman when she drops either below 14% or 10%, can't remember what i read.
10% is really h ard to maintain for the average woman all the time and she'll prob. stop menstruating so it isn't advised to do this for extended periods.

i also believe it depends where you carry your weight genetically.
i don't carry any weight on my butt but my abs are terrible, need to go really low bf to see them, while i've seen other women have a 6 pack with a huge bum-bum.

Preacher · 04-16-2002, 02:17 AM

My girl is currently at 26%, which I think is far from being "fat" or overweight.
She still gets a lot of looks (and yes, she's got quite a big butt!).
Granted, she doesn't have Monica Brant's abs or shoulders, but then again ... neither do I ...

realdeal · 04-16-2002, 06:52 AM

here is what the doctor says: for Women

up to 20 yrs old- 11%-18% is lean
18.1%-23% is ideal
23.2%-30% is average

21-25yrs old- 12%-18.5% is lean
18.6%-24% is ideal
24.1%-31% is average

I have all ages but i cant list them all it will take forever.

Twin Peak · 04-16-2002, 07:00 AM

Average is between 20-25%.
15-20% is either a fit woman or a thin woman.
10-15% is v thin or v in shape.
Below 10% is v v ripped or anorexic.

**gopro** · 04-16-2002, 07:42 AM

With my clientele I find that at about 12% BF, some abs and veins will begin appearing. Clear ab definition takes single digit BF. I would say that about 25% is about average, but once you get below 20% you can start loking pretty good. 15 % is usually the goal I go after for my above average female clients. At 15% they usually still have their feminine curves, with nice muscle tone and a flat tummy.

But like you said...these are GENERALIZATIONS.

nikegurl · 04-16-2002, 10:02 AM

yep - that seems about right. my tanita (which i hate by the way) says i'm at 17.5% as of today. people at the gym insist i'm lower. but i think the way i carry my bodyfat fools them. i have a 4 pack - not 6 yet because i have a flat stomach even when i'm quite a bit heavier. i just don't hold my weight there.

i'm seeing the vein in both biceps again (good to have that back) and my shoulders but only when i'm in the gym for the shoulders. chest is showing definition too. nothing extreme but it shows. so they think i'm lower then 17.5%

thing is - they can't see the jiggle that's left way up on the back of my thighs. hate that! anyway - thanks for answering a question that i know is tough to answer. wish this gym had bodyfat testing (miss my old gym from before i moved that place ROCKED)

but i'll just keep going doing what i'm doing because i'm seeing progress and rely on the mirror more then the % the tanita gives me. (or at least watch to be sure the tanita number keeps going down even if the actual number isn't exactly right)

**gopro** · 04-17-2002, 07:22 AM

The testing method of the Tanita scale, BIOLECTRICAL IMPEDENCE, is usually unreliable. Your readings can be much different depending on your hydration levels at the time of testing. In my experience, Tanita scales are usually 2-3 % too high.

Well, thats good for you Nike!

Scotty the Body · 04-17-2002, 09:45 AM

I agree gopro, for me the Tanita scale was off 5%, got some calipers.

**gopro** · 04-19-2002, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scotty the Body
I agree gopro, for me the Tanita scale was off 5%, got some calipers.

Good move Scotty. For a show I did in 99 I recorded 3% BF on calipers and about 7% on a Tanita. I was sodium loading at the time and was holding some water. Hydration status throws those scales all off!

wonderwoman · 04-19-2002, 10:01 AM

I find personally that in order for my abs to show, I need to be at 10% or below. I am build more boyish, and tend to carry alot of abdominal BF instead of the hips/thigh areas as most women do. Also, for that jiggle behind the thigh area......Squats, baby squats!!!

oe40luvr · 04-19-2002, 01:36 PM

12-14% is pretty lean, anything less is pushing "healthy" limits

**Prince** · 04-19-2002, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oe40luvr
12-14% is pretty lean, anything less is pushing "healthy" limits

maybe, but 12-14% is not going to cut it in competition!

**gopro** · 04-19-2002, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Prince

maybe, but 12-14% is not going to cut it in competition!

Oh, that is for sure!

HardBody007 · 04-19-2002, 11:28 PM

hey guys my body fat is %5 is that good? i think thats pretty good since i never diet or watch what i eat

Scotty the Body · 04-20-2002, 09:58 AM

How did you measure that HB? I'm not doubting you but 5 is super low, hell pro's that compeat are at 3.

Staying at 5 would be almost unhealthy I would think.

**gopro** · 04-20-2002, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HardBody007
hey guys my body fat is %5 is that good? i think thats pretty good since i never diet or watch what i eat

I find this a little hard to believe considering you don't watch what you eat...

-are you very young
-are you naturally very skinny
-do you do tremendous amounts of cardio

???

lilman · 04-21-2002, 02:02 PM

a lean cut girl i would think is usually around 12% i would think

Lightman009 · 04-21-2002, 03:27 PM

Women will most likely be in the 20's% range. Due to their higher body fat content a recommended range for women will be in the 23-28% range. Women under 16% body fat are actually considered "TOO LEAN" by the UC Santa Barbara (my school) Wellness and Fitness Institute. Women 17-22% are considered to have a low body fat %.

HardBody007 · 04-21-2002, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gopro

I find this a little hard to believe considering you don't watch what you eat...

-are you very young
-are you naturally very skinny
-do you do tremendous amounts of cardio

???

well i am 18 and at the place where i work they got this electronic thing which you hold in your hands and it measures your bodyfat somehow and it said %5 i found it hard to believe too. but i am pretty ripped and i got my veins sticking out all over my body so i am guessing i am somewhere in that range

wonderwoman · 04-21-2002, 07:48 PM

As in most areas of life, you can't always go by what you read or what "they" tell you. I am personally at 10 or 11% Bf, and my 21 year old daugther is at 16% and looks curvacious and attactive, by anyones standards. Last night I attended the "Emerald Cup" bodybuilding show in Bellvue, Wa, and not one of the girls on stage be it fitness, figure, or bodybuilding, were over 10-`12% BF. I am also a certified personal trainer and have five years of college in the medical field, so I feel I can speak at least from an educated personal view, and as a woman. The publications that state it is "normal and healthy" for a woman to have a BF of 25% obviously have something to sell, or are trying to make points with the public. The American people are for the most part "FAT" or "OBESE", at a rate of 85% being overweight, what does that tell you about our standards?

Lightman009 · 04-21-2002, 10:30 PM

Thats true that America is pretty fat, but I didnt get my info from a commercial business, so they have nothing to sell, the institute is only giving info. Obviously body builders would have to be an exception because they are not "average" people. Also, when you have had your body fat tested how are you doing it? At the institute they use Hydrostatic water weighing. Which is pretty much the most accurate method.

ponyboy · 04-26-2002, 08:29 AM

Those hand held devices have a neat trick...if you measure your fat holding it straight out like they say to it will give you one reading, and then if you bring it in close to your body the reading will be 3-5% lower even if it is 30 seconds between readings...shows you that they are totally unreliable.

Chalcedony · 04-26-2002, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wonderwoman
As in most areas of life, you can't always go by what you read or what "they" tell you. I am personally at 10 or 11% Bf, and my 21 year old daugther is at 16% and looks curvacious and attactive, by anyones standards. Last night I attended the "Emerald Cup" bodybuilding show in Bellvue, Wa, and not one of the girls on stage be it fitness, figure, or bodybuilding, were over 10-`12% BF. I am also a certified personal trainer and have five years of college in the medical field, so I feel I can speak at least from an educated personal view, and as a woman. The publications that state it is "normal and healthy" for a woman to have a BF of 25% obviously have something to sell, or are trying to make points with the public. The American people are for the most part "FAT" or "OBESE", at a rate of 85% being overweight, what does that tell you about our standards?

I don't know where you get your stats BUT 85% is an extremely high number and I know that's not right

nikegurl · 04-26-2002, 03:28 PM

i'm not going to venture to put a number out there. i agree 85% seems really high....but let's not forget the skinny fat people.

you know the ones - women especially. they look very thin. they wear small sizes. but their bodyfat is really high. i call them skinny fat people. these are the people who only look good fully clothed lol.

Lightman009 · 04-27-2002, 02:35 PM

Yeah I know what you mean nikegurl, there are some girls that have a lot of cellulite and fatty areas even though they "appear" thin.

lina · 04-28-2002, 08:28 PM

Yes, people can fall in the "normal weight" category for their height but still be "fat" by having a high BF%.

I think they should include BF% measurements as a standard for all doctor's physicals together with, height, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. Hopefully that way people will realize that weight is not an accurate indication as to how "fat" you are and that way they will work harder to try to get those numbers down.

**gopro** · 04-29-2002, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lina
Yes, people can fall in the "normal weight" category for their height but still be "fat" by having a high BF%.

I think they should include BF% measurements as a standard for all doctor's physicals together with, height, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. Hopefully that way people will realize that weight is not an accurate indication as to how "fat" you are and that way they will work harder to try to get those numbers down.

Couldn't agree more!

04-15-2002, 11:27 AM	#1
nikegurl Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: LA, CA Posts: 5,635	bodyfat question i'm going to ask a hard one....i know individuals vary a lot in how they carry their bodyfat etc. i'm really only looking for a broad generalization here. asking about women's bodyfat levels. if you hear a woman has 20% bodyfat are you picturing someone pretty average? pudgier then average? lean but not defined at all? at 18% do you envision some definition and also some fat on hips/thighs still? like a flat stomach but no abs showing? anyone willing to take a stab at this huge generalization? like at what levels do you not expect to see any actual fat? when do abs start to show (typically) when do you see veins in arms and shoulders? quad definition? i know this is so hard to say but really curious just what you think as ballpark numbers and what they look like. thanks

04-16-2002, 02:17 AM	#3
Preacher Strongest of all Hobbits Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Belgium - Western Europe Posts: 413 Photos: 2	My girl is currently at 26%, which I think is far from being "fat" or overweight. She still gets a lot of looks (and yes, she's got quite a big butt!). Granted, she doesn't have Monica Brant's abs or shoulders, but then again ... neither do I ... Last edited by Preacher : 04-16-2002 at 05:03 AM.
	"When the going gets though, the Tough get Duct-tape!"

04-16-2002, 06:52 AM	#4
realdeal Amateur Bodybuilder Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 367	here is what the doctor says: for Women up to 20 yrs old- 11%-18% is lean 18.1%-23% is ideal 23.2%-30% is average 21-25yrs old- 12%-18.5% is lean 18.6%-24% is ideal 24.1%-31% is average I have all ages but i cant list them all it will take forever.
	Keep Educating, KNOWLEDGE is the POWER

04-16-2002, 07:00 AM	#5
Twin Peak Peak Physiques™ Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NY Posts: 7,967	Average is between 20-25%. 15-20% is either a fit woman or a thin woman. 10-15% is v thin or v in shape. Below 10% is v v ripped or anorexic.
	www.DesignerSupps.com INTELLIGENT DESIGN™...lands on 1/1/2007 www.intelligentdesignmag.com

04-16-2002, 07:42 AM	#6
gopro NGA/IFPA Pro Bodybuilder Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Florida Posts: 10,504	With my clientele I find that at about 12% BF, some abs and veins will begin appearing. Clear ab definition takes single digit BF. I would say that about 25% is about average, but once you get below 20% you can start loking pretty good. 15 % is usually the goal I go after for my above average female clients. At 15% they usually still have their feminine curves, with nice muscle tone and a flat tummy. But like you said...these are GENERALIZATIONS.
	Monthly columnist for Muscular Development and Ironman magazines. VPX Sponsored Athlete/Board Rep www.prrstraining.com Time to GROW Without Plateau! Personal Training Gopro is available for online personal training, dietary guidance, and contest prep coaching. Send me a PM or e-mail if interested. Thank you.

04-15-2002, 01:22 PM	#2
elvn Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: ontario Posts: 74	i'm pretty sure i've heard that ab defn. starts to show for a woman when she drops either below 14% or 10%, can't remember what i read. 10% is really h ard to maintain for the average woman all the time and she'll prob. stop menstruating so it isn't advised to do this for extended periods. i also believe it depends where you carry your weight genetically. i don't carry any weight on my butt but my abs are terrible, need to go really low bf to see them, while i've seen other women have a 6 pack with a huge bum-bum.

04-16-2002, 10:02 AM	#7
nikegurl Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: LA, CA Posts: 5,635	yep - that seems about right. my tanita (which i hate by the way) says i'm at 17.5% as of today. people at the gym insist i'm lower. but i think the way i carry my bodyfat fools them. i have a 4 pack - not 6 yet because i have a flat stomach even when i'm quite a bit heavier. i just don't hold my weight there. i'm seeing the vein in both biceps again (good to have that back) and my shoulders but only when i'm in the gym for the shoulders. chest is showing definition too. nothing extreme but it shows. so they think i'm lower then 17.5% thing is - they can't see the jiggle that's left way up on the back of my thighs. hate that! anyway - thanks for answering a question that i know is tough to answer. wish this gym had bodyfat testing (miss my old gym from before i moved that place ROCKED) but i'll just keep going doing what i'm doing because i'm seeing progress and rely on the mirror more then the % the tanita gives me. (or at least watch to be sure the tanita number keeps going down even if the actual number isn't exactly right)
	If you want to achieve things that others can't... You have to do things that others won't.

04-17-2002, 07:22 AM	#8
gopro NGA/IFPA Pro Bodybuilder Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Florida Posts: 10,504	The testing method of the Tanita scale, BIOLECTRICAL IMPEDENCE, is usually unreliable. Your readings can be much different depending on your hydration levels at the time of testing. In my experience, Tanita scales are usually 2-3 % too high. Well, thats good for you Nike!
	Monthly columnist for Muscular Development and Ironman magazines. VPX Sponsored Athlete/Board Rep www.prrstraining.com Time to GROW Without Plateau! Personal Training Gopro is available for online personal training, dietary guidance, and contest prep coaching. Send me a PM or e-mail if interested. Thank you.

04-17-2002, 09:45 AM	#9
Scotty the Body I'm Dead Sexxxxy!! Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 4,970	I agree gopro, for me the Tanita scale was off 5%, got some calipers.
	Cool

04-19-2002, 10:01 AM	#11
wonderwoman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: everett, wa Posts: 17	BF levels I find personally that in order for my abs to show, I need to be at 10% or below. I am build more boyish, and tend to carry alot of abdominal BF instead of the hips/thigh areas as most women do. Also, for that jiggle behind the thigh area......Squats, baby squats!!!
	wonderwoman

04-19-2002, 01:36 PM	#12
oe40luvr Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 26	12-14% is pretty lean, anything less is pushing "healthy" limits

04-19-2002, 11:28 PM	#15
HardBody007 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: USA Posts: 29	hey guys my body fat is %5 is that good? i think thats pretty good since i never diet or watch what i eat

04-20-2002, 09:58 AM	#16
Scotty the Body I'm Dead Sexxxxy!! Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 4,970	How did you measure that HB? I'm not doubting you but 5 is super low, hell pro's that compeat are at 3. Staying at 5 would be almost unhealthy I would think.
	Cool

04-21-2002, 02:02 PM	#18
lilman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: ny Posts: 36	a lean cut girl i would think is usually around 12% i would think

04-21-2002, 03:27 PM	#19
Lightman009 UCSB Student Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 300	Women will most likely be in the 20's% range. Due to their higher body fat content a recommended range for women will be in the 23-28% range. Women under 16% body fat are actually considered "TOO LEAN" by the UC Santa Barbara (my school) Wellness and Fitness Institute. Women 17-22% are considered to have a low body fat %. Last edited by Lightman009 : 04-21-2002 at 03:31 PM.
	Just Shut Up and LIFT.

04-21-2002, 07:48 PM	#21
wonderwoman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: everett, wa Posts: 17	bodyfat % As in most areas of life, you can't always go by what you read or what "they" tell you. I am personally at 10 or 11% Bf, and my 21 year old daugther is at 16% and looks curvacious and attactive, by anyones standards. Last night I attended the "Emerald Cup" bodybuilding show in Bellvue, Wa, and not one of the girls on stage be it fitness, figure, or bodybuilding, were over 10-`12% BF. I am also a certified personal trainer and have five years of college in the medical field, so I feel I can speak at least from an educated personal view, and as a woman. The publications that state it is "normal and healthy" for a woman to have a BF of 25% obviously have something to sell, or are trying to make points with the public. The American people are for the most part "FAT" or "OBESE", at a rate of 85% being overweight, what does that tell you about our standards?
	wonderwoman

04-21-2002, 10:30 PM	#22
Lightman009 UCSB Student Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 300	Thats true that America is pretty fat, but I didnt get my info from a commercial business, so they have nothing to sell, the institute is only giving info. Obviously body builders would have to be an exception because they are not "average" people. Also, when you have had your body fat tested how are you doing it? At the institute they use Hydrostatic water weighing. Which is pretty much the most accurate method. Last edited by Lightman009 : 04-21-2002 at 10:32 PM.
	Just Shut Up and LIFT.

04-26-2002, 08:29 AM	#23
ponyboy Training Trainer Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Running around somewhere Posts: 2,608 Photos: 1	Those hand held devices have a neat trick...if you measure your fat holding it straight out like they say to it will give you one reading, and then if you bring it in close to your body the reading will be 3-5% lower even if it is 30 seconds between readings...shows you that they are totally unreliable.

04-26-2002, 03:28 PM	#25
nikegurl Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: LA, CA Posts: 5,635	i'm not going to venture to put a number out there. i agree 85% seems really high....but let's not forget the skinny fat people. you know the ones - women especially. they look very thin. they wear small sizes. but their bodyfat is really high. i call them skinny fat people. these are the people who only look good fully clothed lol.
	If you want to achieve things that others can't... You have to do things that others won't.

04-27-2002, 02:35 PM	#26
Lightman009 UCSB Student Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 300	Yeah I know what you mean nikegurl, there are some girls that have a lot of cellulite and fatty areas even though they "appear" thin.
	Just Shut Up and LIFT.

04-28-2002, 08:28 PM	#27
lina It's a Wonderful Life!!! Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lounging around... Posts: 2,797	Yes, people can fall in the "normal weight" category for their height but still be "fat" by having a high BF%. I think they should include BF% measurements as a standard for all doctor's physicals together with, height, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. Hopefully that way people will realize that weight is not an accurate indication as to how "fat" you are and that way they will work harder to try to get those numbers down.