body fat percentage. Unhealthy?

[PhiAlpha]

I found some literature saying that having a body fat percentage of 5% is considered to be somewhere in the "danger zone" for unhealthy fat content.

My question is.. should I be concerned? I took a measurement at the gym, which gave a reading of 6%. I used two different devices (one electronic and one protractor-looking thing).

The thing is, I don't eat crazy clean. I don't do cardio. I do eat well, however. I get 150-200g protein per day and at least 200-400g carbs per day. I stopped counting calories and just count macro nutrients. I don't count the fat content, but I drink a lot of whole milk, fatty meats, cheeses, etc.

The pic in my profile is old. I'm much more cut currently than I am in that pic (I don't know my BF% in that picture).

I'm not sure if I should be concerned or not. Perhaps this is why I feel tired so often?

[WonderPug]

Having extremely low BF is associated with a host of health issues.

P.S. It's extremely unlikely that you're anywhere near 6% BF. Usually, when you're told that in a gym, your BF is over 10% and usually north of 12%.

[bambam601]

youre not 6%.

[stevenning1025]

youre not 6%.

^this

[Gxp23]

youre not 6%.

This, sorry op.

[razor23]

Unless you're really trying and know exactly what you're doing...or you're anorexic, then getting to 6% by accident is near impossible.

[cumminslifter]

youre not 6%.

yup^^ not trying to be a dick

[Mdenatale]

I found some literature saying that having a body fat percentage of 5% is considered to be somewhere in the "danger zone" for unhealthy fat content.

My question is.. should I be concerned? I took a measurement at the gym, which gave a reading of 6%. I used two different devices (one electronic and one protractor-looking thing).

The thing is, I don't eat crazy clean. I don't do cardio. I do eat well, however. I get 150-200g protein per day and at least 200-400g carbs per day. I stopped counting calories and just count macro nutrients. I don't count the fat content, but I drink a lot of whole milk, fatty meats, cheeses, etc.

The pic in my profile is old. I'm much more cut currently than I am in that pic (I don't know my BF% in that picture).

I'm not sure if I should be concerned or not. Perhaps this is why I feel tired so often?

No worries, you aren't 6%. You AVI is a little crappy, but if I were to take a guess you are 12%. Not sure how that compares to where you are now.

Check this:

[PhiAlpha]

Not trying to be a douchebag, but why are you assuming I'm not 6%? I know it's not normal, but that's why i'm making a thread about it. It seems that people would more often prefer to be pricks than to be helpful. I used two different devices to measure, and the fitness advisor agreed with the results. Why he didn't seem concerned about it, I am not sure.

I have a gluten intolerance, which can sometimes prevent you from absorbing nutrients at a normal rate. Not sure if this has anything to do with it.

The confusing part is that i've had reasonable strength gains over the last two months but have not gained a single pound (for example, flat bench dumbbell pressing 85's two months ago, now 105's for 8 reps). And I mean a SINGLE pound. Something's not adding up.

[stevenning1025]

if you havin scale problems i feel bad for ya son, i let the mirror judge cuz the scale SUCKS BALLS.

[PhiAlpha]

if you havin scale problems i feel bad for ya son, i let the mirror judge cuz the scale SUCKS BALLS.

I'm satisfied with how my appearance and strength are both progressing. I'm just worried there may be an underlying health issue. Maybe i have a 12 foot tapeworm in my stomach or something

[KayPS]

Not trying to be a douchebag, but why are you assuming I'm not 6%? I know it's not normal, but that's why i'm making a thread about it. It seems that people would more often prefer to be pricks than to be helpful. I used two different devices to measure, and the fitness advisor agreed with the results. Why he didn't seem concerned about it, I am not sure.

I have a gluten intolerance, which can sometimes prevent you from absorbing nutrients at a normal rate. Not sure if this has anything to do with it.

The confusing part is that i've had reasonable strength gains over the last two months but have not gained a single pound (for example, flat bench dumbbell pressing 85's two months ago, now 105's for 8 reps). And I mean a SINGLE pound. Something's not adding up.

They aren't being dicks. They are being honest. You're looking for validation, and you're not getting it here. Now you're butt hurt over it.

[headshot84]

I bet if you posted a current pic of said 6 percent bf people would be more inclined to believe and help.

[bambam601]

I bet if you posted a current pic of said 6 percent bf people would be more inclined to believe and help.

^this.
post some current pics, OP.
you dont just phuck around and land at 6%.

[PhiAlpha]

I bet if you posted a current pic of said 6 percent bf people would be more inclined to believe and help.

i'll get one when i'm out of work. Bout 3 hours

[bambam601]

i'll get one when i'm out of work. Bout 3 hours

good!
im preparing myself for striated glutes .

[MetilHed]

I bet if you posted a current pic of said 6 percent bf people would be more inclined to believe and help.

Or he'll think they're REALLY being a bunch of dicks if he's nowhere near 6%.

OP: electronic devices that tell you your body fat are very inaccurate, very often the calipers can be too.

[kenny85]

They aren't being dicks. They are being honest. You're looking for validation, and you're not getting it here. Now you're butt hurt over it.

Not me, I'm actually kinda dickish

[cumminslifter]

good!
im preparing myself for striated glutes .

me too lol

[KayPS]

Not me, I'm actually kinda dickish

My bad.

[Gxp23]

Not trying to be a douchebag, but why are you assuming I'm not 6%? I know it's not normal, but that's why i'm making a thread about it. It seems that people would more often prefer to be pricks than to be helpful. I used two different devices to measure, and the fitness advisor agreed with the results. Why he didn't seem concerned about it, I am not sure.

I have a gluten intolerance, which can sometimes prevent you from absorbing nutrients at a normal rate. Not sure if this has anything to do with it.

The confusing part is that i've had reasonable strength gains over the last two months but have not gained a single pound (for example, flat bench dumbbell pressing 85's two months ago, now 105's for 8 reps). And I mean a SINGLE pound. Something's not adding up.

Strength can be gained without gaining weight.

[kenny85]

My bad.

Lol

[PhiAlpha]

I'm not sure what's going on but i'm not looking to argue, it was a genuine question. Once I post a pic if you guys say im 75% i'll take it into consideration. I'll actually be a little relieved considering that this post is about a health concern. My main point which we seemed to derail from was this: Are there physically healthy people with such low bodyfat percentage / should I be concerned if this happens to be the case?

You guys are overly defensive. I don't stand to gain anything by being right or wrong. I wouldn't see 6% as being a good thing considering that I am relatively lightweight. Speaking of validation it seems like you guys prowl this **** trying to validate yourselves by ****ting on inexperienced peoples' opinions.

I don't see anything in this thread that could be considered worthy of people jumping down my throat. You guys are a buncha nuts

[Gxp23]

I'm not sure what's going on but i'm not looking to argue, it was a genuine question. Once I post a pic if you guys say im 75% i'll take it into consideration. I'll actually be a little relieved considering that this post is about a health concern. My main point which we seemed to derail from was this: Are there physically healthy people with such low bodyfat percentage / should I be concerned if this happens to be the case?

You guys are overly defensive. I don't stand to gain anything by being right or wrong. I wouldn't see 6% as being a good thing considering that I am relatively lightweight. Speaking of validation it seems like you guys prowl this **** trying to validate yourselves by ****ting on inexperienced peoples' opinions.

I don't see anything in this thread that could be considered worthy of people jumping down my throat. You guys are a buncha nuts

We are just telling you like it is, dont be mad, the matter of the fact is, maintaining a 6% body fat would not be easy, you must be very strict if you do.

[kenny85]

I'm not sure what's going on but i'm not looking to argue, it was a genuine question. Once I post a pic if you guys say im 75% i'll take it into consideration. I'll actually be a little relieved considering that this post is about a health concern. My main point which we seemed to derail from was this: Are there physically healthy people with such low bodyfat percentage / should I be concerned if this happens to be the case?

You guys are overly defensive. I don't stand to gain anything by being right or wrong. I wouldn't see 6% as being a good thing considering that I am relatively lightweight. Speaking of validation it seems like you guys prowl this **** trying to validate yourselves by ****ting on inexperienced peoples' opinions.

I don't see anything in this thread that could be considered worthy of people jumping down my throat. You guys are a buncha nuts

We're not defensive, everybody is just edgy because we are watching the clock waiting for work to be over with so we can hit the gym

[lucidz]

I'm satisfied with how my appearance and strength are both progressing. I'm just worried there may be an underlying health issue. Maybe i have a 12 foot tapeworm in my stomach or something

Hey dude. You have a phone right?

Phone has a camera, right?

Take a picture, gnome saying?

I never ever understood people who are like "my avi doesn't look like me at all" if they're making comments related to their appearance.

[ironwill2008]

I wouldn't see 6% as being a good thing considering that I am relatively lightweight.

You're correct; getting down to 6% is a very difficult and drawn-out process, and not a healthy one. Maintaining that bf level for more than a day would be near-impossible. Besides the impracticality of trying to stay that lean, you'd feel like absolute dogmeat; no energy at all.




This guy was at about 5% just before he stepped on stage; note the extreme detail in his delts in particular.

[PBateman2]

My main point which we seemed to derail from was this: Are there physically healthy people with such low bodyfat percentage / should I be concerned if this happens to be the case?

Maintaining 6% BF long term would be very difficult even for someone who may be genetically gifted. It would be pretty uncomfortable physically and mentally.

Maintaining between 8-10%BF is definitely doable and would be more reasonable.

[ironwill2008]

Maintaining between 8-10%BF is definitely doable and would be more reasonable.

^^^^ This.

[KayPS]

Finally, the big gunz chime in.