healthy body fat percentage?

[bassplayer19a7x]

hey guys, i am about to start my cutting cycle, and i am at around 17% body fat right now. I heard that anything above 18% is considered unhealthy, but i've also heard up to 25% for men is acceptable. what do you guys think is the highest body fat percentage guys should get up to? also what should be my goal for body fat? i was thinking around 10-12, like does anyone know what they average body fat percentage is for most bodybuilders?

[PBateman2]

You should achieve whatever BF% is most comfortable for you and your desired look. Only you can decide that.

Posted the below in another thread:

Via Tom Venuto (pretty accurate - IMHO):

MEN (BF%):
Competition Shape ("ripped"): 3-6%
Very Lean (excellent): < 9%
Lean (good): 10-14%
Satisfactory (fair): 15-19%
Improvement needed (poor): 20-25%
Major improvement needed (Very poor): 26-30%+

[thedrivenone]

Why does it matter what's "healthy"?

x2 on the post above--basically.

Do what makes you happy. If it's being lean, and having visible abdominals with a good cut-- 8-10% is your goal. If it's not a big deal, but not fat. 12-15% is fine.