What's the perfect body fat percentage?

[fragilestone]

And how does one achieve it? I'm assuming lots of cardio and weight training but I'm sure nutrition plays a large part...I'd like to achieve a a low body fat percentage and tighten up my body but I'm not quite sure how much is too much?

..help me

[Crazymix]

everyone is different.

[Eileen]

Personally, I think the perfect bodyfat is the one where you look and feel your best, and which you can maintain without having to kill yourself. And that figure varies even more in women than it does in men.

[AltarsofMadness]

lol what the hell is your goal? but generally 18 - 30% is the best IMO

[fragilestone]

Personally, I think the perfect bodyfat is the one where you look and feel your best, and which you can maintain without having to kill yourself. And that figure varies even more in women than it does in men.

thank you that makes so much sense! I guess I'd rather be happy with my appearance and overall health...rather than a set number....I guess I thought the body fat percentage made a difference in your appearance and how fit you truly are

[gfundaro]

Whatever makes you happy is best...I thought initially that I'd be happy at 20, but I wasn't, and now I am waiting to get down to 15%, and then I think I'll be happy. If I'm not, too bad for me, because I'm not going any lower unless I'm pre-show. But that's just me...I want abs and veiny biceps and cut up quads

[hugs]

yeah, I'd say just about everyone will look good somewhere between 15% and 18%

[Outdoor Girl]

I have my bodyfat measured, but won't stop trying to lose it until I like how I look, regardless of the percentage. Kind of like the numbers on the scale, the mirror is more telling.

In any case, workouts are great but the biggest difference is in the kitchen! Have heard that for years and finally am a believer. Good luck with your goals.

[momadaboo]

You guys are definately right when you say that the ideal body fat % depends greatly on the person. For men, in my opinion I would say an ideal % could range anywhere from 7-12%. For women somewhat more.

[Lckymii]

I agree, the kitchen makes the body. Eat healthy and more importantly give it some time and it is amazing how you begin to see those workouts paying off.
Any how, yeah body fat and appearance at that body fat really does differ per woman. (I can be about 17-18% and still my lower half looks like poo, then at school I see girls with at least 22% with a nice even distribution that look fine)

[RIP Chuck]

I agree, the kitchen makes the body. Eat healthy and more importantly give it some time and it is amazing how you begin to see those workouts paying off.
Any how, yeah body fat and appearance at that body fat really does differ per woman. (I can be about 17-18% and still my lower half looks like poo, then at school I see girls with at least 22% with a nice even distribution that look fine)

for women, having an attractive figure is huge percentage genetics, much more so than it is for men

[johnrich69]

just to add to what they've already said, Indiviuals goals vary from person to person. For women who are heavy chested they will generally be able to carry more weight than those who aren't. but "generalizing" I'd say: men 7-12%
Women 14-20%
And Out door girl is exactly right about where Most big changes need to happen! (in the kitchen) You can do situps, crunches, leg lifts, ect... to the cows come home but you'll NEVER be able to see the fruits of your labor until you get your fat% down!!! Good luck to you, if I can be of any more asst. feel free to hollar at me on my profile. Johnny

[norinicole]

Personally, I think the perfect bodyfat is the one where you look and feel your best, and which you can maintain without having to kill yourself. And that figure varies even more in women than it does in men.

I think that's so true. My bf% is actually a lot lower than I thought it was, and yet I'm still not completely satisfied.

[misstransformer]

Personally, I think the perfect bodyfat is the one where you look and feel your best, and which you can maintain without having to kill yourself. And that figure varies even more in women than it does in men.

Eileen hit the nail on the head. Use body fat testing as a guage only. One woman may look lean at 20% fat, and another 15%. Depends on the person. I prefer to go by how I look and measurements. T