Semi-newbie, body fat percentage question

[dulcis]

Hello everybody! I have been lifting since early summer with varying levels of intensity but always at least twice per week.

People have told me that my body fat percentage *must* be around 16-18% but I am not buying it, I think that is too low. I have some ab and oblique definition and a decent amount of muscle for a newbie lifter. My background was competitive rowing and swimming through so I started with some muscle.

My current stats are:
female (obvious I hope haha)
5'9.5" or about 176 cm
160 lbs

bodybuilding.com auto generated my bf% at 23% but was wondering what people here would guess for a range. I carry fat in my butt, thighs, and am still around a small C to large B after losing body fat.

Pictures are attached all taken around the same time. What is your guess for current bf%?

I know I still have a lot of work to do and am in it for the long haul

[gbullock32]

Mid 20% seems about right, around 23% would not be far off at all.

[Vandeman17]

Low 20s vote here.

[dulcis]

Mid 20% seems about right, around 23% would not be far off at all.

Low 20s vote here.

Ok, thanks guys. I am going to use this to *try* to figure out about how much weight in body fat I should be losing. I might try to get a 3D scan but I heard those aren't super accurate anyways.

[gbullock32]

Ok, thanks guys. I am going to use this to *try* to figure out about how much weight in body fat I should be losing. I might try to get a 3D scan but I heard those aren't super accurate anyways.

They are.

What are your goals?

[dulcis]

They are.

What are your goals?

My goals are primarily fitness related (training to row in the spring, I want to beat lifting PRs)

Aesthetically, firmer thighs carrying less fat, larger glute muscles, some ab definition. I do not want to be super cut and don't think I could maintain that. Pictures of the type of body I would aim for are attached.

I like the look more developed muscles than these photos. But about that level of leanness. I think I have more fat on the lower body and lower back than the example photos and just little bits more other places.

[gbullock32]

My goals are primarily fitness related (training to row in the spring, I want to beat lifting PRs)

Aesthetically, firmer thighs carrying less fat, larger glute muscles, some ab definition. I do not want to be super cut and don't think I could maintain that. Pictures of the type of body I would aim for are attached.

I like the look more developed muscles than these photos. But about that level of leanness. I think I have more fat on the lower body and lower back than the example photos and just little bits more other places.

You might be well off working on building more mass right now and trying to maintain current body fat, eating maintenance or a slight surplus while lifting and progressing on a proven routine. This will improve body composition and help you improve fitness.

[dulcis]

You might be well off working on building more mass right now and trying to maintain current body fat, eating maintenance or a slight surplus while lifting and progressing on a proven routine. This will improve body composition and help you improve fitness.

What is your argument against cutting? I *feel* like I have a good 10-15 lbs of fat to lose but I could also be stuck seeing myself as I was before. I do have a little bit of a hard time deciding what I should do to boost both my performance and appearance.

I have gone down about 30 lbs in 3 years with ~10 of those being last summer to fall.

[gbullock32]

What is your argument against cutting? I *feel* like I have a good 10-15 lbs of fat to lose but I could also be stuck seeing myself as I was before. I do have a little bit of a hard time deciding what I should do to boost both my performance and appearance.

I have gone down about 30 lbs in 3 years with ~10 of those being last summer to fall.

You could drop some weight, but given your goal is to improve fitness and you are not fat it is not necessary.

Keep in mind, 20-25% body fat on a women is quite a healthy range to be in for health and performance. Also as you gain more muscle mass and improve body composition your body fat will go down as muscle increases; it is slower but it might be better suited to your goal as a long term lifestyle.

[grubman]

You could drop some weight, but given your goal is to improve fitness and you are not fat it is not necessary.

Keep in mind, 20-25% body fat on a women is quite a healthy range to be in for health and performance. Also as you gain more muscle mass and improve body composition your body fat will go down as muscle increases; it is slower but it might be better suited to your goal as a long term lifestyle.

I totally agree.

If you didn't notice, there is a woman's forum. Not trying to push you there, but most of the woman hang out there, and there are some super knowledgeable and experienced woman that are much more in tune with the way the female body responds to excercise and diet.

[dulcis]

You could drop some weight, but given your goal is to improve fitness and you are not fat it is not necessary.

Keep in mind, 20-25% body fat on a women is quite a healthy range to be in for health and performance. Also as you gain more muscle mass and improve body composition your body fat will go down as muscle increases; it is slower but it might be better suited to your goal as a long term lifestyle.

Yeah, so.. I found out I will be rowing in a World Championship in 5 weeks X'D... therefore, I think I will be following your advice to recomp. I kind of wanted to lean out but I think dieting much below maintenance will probably screw my training since I only have 5 weeks.

[NattyLunk]

You look about 20% body fat... but that's just my opinion