What is the average bodybuilder body fat percetage during comp?

[Pokarface]

What's up forum? I was wondering what is a bodybuilders fat percent during competition? please don't say something like, why do you want to cut so low? or you look better at 9%, cause I DO want to compete next year--maybe in ABA. I found an article from Tom Venutto which estimates this percentages. I wanted your thoughts (competitors please) of the accuracy of this estimates, and would also want to know if you have another source I could compare with Venutto's work. By the way, how much did you trained before going to your first competition? I am a natural ectomorph that has been lifting for 8 months and doubt I can look good competition in the next 5 or 6 months; Seriously, my body took a long time to grow, but at least my first now say I look like a pitbull (hopefully, that means Alpha and not like the dog breed itself, just kidding)

Men:
Contest bodybuilder: 3-5% << Am I expected to hold this level for competition?
Extremely lean: 6-9%
Lean: 10-15%
Average Male: 16-20%
Poor: 20-25%
Very Poor: 25%+

Women:

Fitness model/bodybuilder: 8-11% << oh, really?
Extremely lean: 12-15% <<< Are this bikini competitor levels?
Lean: 16-19%
Average female: 20-25%
Poor: 25-29%
Very Poor: 30%+

[Pokarface]

one cordial bump. (hmm, apparently there are no competitors in the competition forum. I wonder who wanders around this subforum--trolls maybe?)

[Rsardinia]

This is the contest PREPARATION forum, not the discuss how lean we are in contest shape forum. This has also been beaten to death. Everyone is different, and the leaner the better. I'd guess I'm around 4% on stage, but I get very lean. Some guys might be 6-7%, and some might even be 10% if they aren't in shape. There's also guys that get leaner than me and probably are on the verge of the high 2's if not at least in the low 3's.

[Pokarface]

This is the contest PREPARATION forum, not the discuss how lean we are in contest shape forum. This has also been beaten to death. Everyone is different, and the leaner the better. I'd guess I'm around 4% on stage, but I get very lean. Some guys might be 6-7%, and some might even be 10% if they aren't in shape. There's also guys that get leaner than me and probably are on the verge of the high 2's if not at least in the low 3's.

Thanks for your response. I tried searching for an answer to this cause I also avoid bringing the same issues over and over, but I couldn't find an serious answer of what I was looking for. By the way, do you think someone should worry of starting to lose muscle at certain body fat percentage or you can go down as much as physically possible?

[WhiteFiberz]

Bottom line is that the judges aren't giving you a dexa scan to judge you. Get as lean as possible and show off your physique to the best of your ability.

[Bonnerjs]

Bottom line is that the judges aren't giving you a dexa scan to judge you. Get as lean as possible and show off your physique to the best of your ability.

I was 7.3% for my first show and the guy who beat me was about 9%... i was definitely leaner than him but he had better back and shoulder width than me and was a better poser... so, while bodyfat does play a role, the overall appearance is most important in my opinion... hope that helps

[K8Stop]

Women:

Fitness model/bodybuilder: 8-11% << oh, really?
Extremely lean: 12-15% <<< Are this bikini competitor levels?
Lean: 16-19%
Average female: 20-25%
Poor: 25-29%
Very Poor: 30%+

I was always under the impression that the AVERAGE figure girl that was contest ready was ~12% - bodybuilders around 9% - and the bikini girls were mid to high teens.

Your mileage may vary

[Quelly]

if you want to win, striated glutes....whatever percentage that occurs at

[Barn01]

Honestly it really depends who the judges are sitting at the table. I've both won because of leanness and I've also lost even though I was the leanest. Leanness is good and if you don't have the size then you should at least be lean. So so size and so so leanness are almost never the winners. Typically they are going to look for that package deal the guy or girl that holds the most size for a comparable level of top leanness. I've lost out by one point TWICE and lost TWO overalls and I was told by the judges that I was the leanest guy at the show in every show I've done. So yes leanness is good but it doesn't mean you're going to win the show.

Bottom line, make sure you can walk in full, symmetrical and still lean and you should do very well.

[Cumulonimbus]

As lean as humanly possible. As mentioned, striated glutes are a good sign.

[alex a]

As lean as humanly possible. As mentioned, striated glutes are a good sign.

i suggest getting as dry as possible!

[swole-striation]

i suggest getting as dry as possible!

too bad he placed 7th

[Quelly]

too bad he placed 7th

conditioning doesnt change who shows up....the better your conditioning the better you will do, doesn't gaurantee victory

[lth]

if you want to win, striated glutes....whatever percentage that occurs at

This.

[alex a]

You really dont have control over your placing.. But you do have control over your condition and what you bring to the stage that day..

Then ... its pretty much up to the judges..

[lth]

too bad he placed 7th

at npc nationals dude, do you know how many guys come to that show for years and years and never even place top 10. A placing is subjective, but getting in amazing condition is not.

[devo09]

I'd guess the AVERAGE is 8-10% lol

[Autino]

I have always understood that ideal is around 3-4%, with most people sitting at 5-6% thinking they are at 3-4%

I am shooting for 5% though I am quite confident the judgest are not going to ask me for a "front double", then immediatly ask me for the "steps on scale" and "6 point pinch" pose..

Glutes would be nice, whether that is at 3% or 6% I willh ave to find out once I get there..