Thread: What is the average recreational bodybuilder's fat%?

This is all conjecture obviously but 20% would seem very high to me. The male you're describing is doing more than the average male would IMO. That being the case I would tend to think his BF% would reflect this.

Being the average male BF% is some where around 18-20% I would think this gentleman's % would be around 15%.

Hasnt it gotta be around 10/12% for you abs to be at all visible?

mine was 8% last time i checked at 178lbs

I'm 7%-12% year round

Depends on their age. Also depends on how serious they are about getting big. I think like 15-18% is more like it, with 18 really pushing it.

I've been lifting for over 25yrs. BF was a big topic years ago when we thought we had to put 30 pounds on in the off season. Mind you, the magazines (hate them) had the bodybuilers on the "split routine" which in english means you train the same body part in the morning for an hour and them two hours after work, then the other half of your body the very next day. No time off except for Sunday. I remember days I couldn't bring my hands up high enough to wash my hair because I was shaking so much. Sometimes I couldn't manage a flight of stairs after a workout on leg day. Mind you, just a half hour ago I was squating 400+. You talk about serious overtraining! Well, after many years even a blind squirel will find a nut and so was my case and point. I keep my body fat at 10 percent, NO higher, and around 3 percent contest time. It really is a lot softer on your organs, fast, and pleasing to the mirror when you can see diet / cadio results in a matter of two weeks instead of two months. We used to take three months to shed the fat, and even then, if you were off by just a little bit it looked like you had a beer gut, vascular or not. I like a very healthy diet, constant blood work, getting laid, oops, and staying within 6-7 percent of contest weight. Another benefit is you can see where you need work. If you x-mas trees in your lower back aren't showing you can work those. If you have 15-18 percent bf there would be no way of knowing which body part was lacking. It's all an illusion. Unless I stand right next to a guy that weighs 50 pounds more than me I acually look bigger. I say stay lean.

Originally Posted by largepkg

This is all conjecture obviously but 20% would seem very high to me. The male you're describing is doing more than the average male would IMO. That being the case I would tend to think his BF% would reflect this.

Being the average male BF% is some where around 18-20% I would think this gentleman's % would be around 15%.

Holy shit, then I guess I am in trouble.

The % I take on myself is done with a skin caliper in all 4 places. If I recall correctly, my subscapular was the highest number, leaving my Iliac crest in 2nd. In any case, when I flex my stomach you can see abs, but not when I am relaxed.

Still though, I cant see myself being 20% fat. Even 18%.

I still cant believe it.

Originally Posted by AKIRA

I still cant believe it.

Dude, I'm 18% fat, there's no way you are.

No, not now, but in that bulk pic I have on Myspace I supposedly was. The test mustve been wrong.

In any case, I was looking at my old posts hoping to find one from 2005, but it only went up to 06-06.

When I found this thread, I noticed not too many people commented. Now, specifically, I want to know what the average bulker's BF % is.

Ive been feeling fat lately.

Mine is usually anywhere from 8 - 11% @188 lbs.

Well I'm at 25% last I checked and certainly don't represent average fitness guy that has worked out for three years. I'd say I represent average fitness guy that worked out for a few years then took lay off at Anheiser Busch

(hey if you can't laugh at yourself who can)