Realistic Body Fat %?

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  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    Here are some images that may give you an idea of what different body fat % look like. These are really estimates, and not perfect, everyone's body looks different. For example, I am around 24%, and I have a friend that is 33%, and honestly she looks much better in a bikini than me, but she is Brazilian so I think it is just in the genes! ;)

    Bodyfat.png
    15-percent-body-fat-female1.jpg

    Anyone got the male version of this. Quite handy.

    Finally got some callipers and did mine yesterday. A disappointing 27%. Don't think I have even got below 20-25%. This time I will!

    http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-pictures-and-percentages
  • btdublin
    btdublin Posts: 250 Member
    Thanks you. Here they are for men:

    male-body-fat-percentages-pictures.jpg
    pictures-of-body-fat-percentages.jpg

    Seems a much bigger difference between 20% and 25% on the men, not helped by the model they have choosen for 20%. I am definitely closer to the 20% pic (although much less hair thank god) than the 25% pic, even though I was recently measured at c. 27%. Depends on muscle levels I suppose.
  • WheyStrong
    WheyStrong Posts: 71 Member
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  • Lolli1986
    Lolli1986 Posts: 500 Member
    "Most women need to have 15 to 20% body fat to be able to have any periods, and at least 20 to 25% to have them regularly." - 'Women's stuff by Kaz Cooke'

    I've supposedly been as low as 16%, according to electronic measurements, not callipers, and I can vouch that TOM got strange when body fat got low. I don't plan to go under 20% again... I don't need to be an athlete.
  • HeidiRene
    HeidiRene Posts: 335 Member
    If you go to my profile and look at all my pics that is when I had 25% body fat. The only time my body fat % has been less is when I ran cross country in college (we ran for 2 hours a day and lifted every week) and it was 18%. For me personally, unless I was to return to elite athletics I will never again be 18%. I am totally fine with that as I was 100% thrilled with 25%.
  • mickyjd
    mickyjd Posts: 97
    Instead of striving for a specific number (weight or bodyfat%)

    Work towards the "look" you want, and the level of athleticism you want to achieve. This is what I am doing. I am a martial artist in a style that is quite demanding. I also want to 'rock" a bikini when I am on vacation...LOL

    I love this post - great attitude.
  • jonski1968
    jonski1968 Posts: 4,490 Member
    Thanks you. Here they are for men:

    male-body-fat-percentages-pictures.jpg
    pictures-of-body-fat-percentages.jpg

    Seems a much bigger difference between 20% and 25% on the men, not helped by the model they have choosen for 20%. I am definitely closer to the 20% pic (although much less hair thank god) than the 25% pic, even though I was recently measured at c. 27%. Depends on muscle levels I suppose.

    Looking at the pics...I seem to be around the 14% pic...But i was measured earlier in the week via calipers and am registering 23%....So i guess every individual is completely different.
  • btdublin
    btdublin Posts: 250 Member

    Looking at the pics...I seem to be around the 14% pic...But i was measured earlier in the week via calipers and am registering 23%....So i guess every individual is completely different.

    Good to hear that, thanks. I think callipers need to be used as a personal guide to track progress and not as a comparison to others.

    I am targeting looking like 14%!
  • suziecue66
    suziecue66 Posts: 1,312 Member
    I was like you when I started. 33% BF and highest weight at 165lbs. I now weigh 129lbs. I had my body fat tested with calipers and I was at 16%. The most accurate way to test BF is water submerssion if that is available to you in your area. Good luck! You can definitely hit the 18-22% range.

    You look great. Impressive results.
  • bigbugboo
    bigbugboo Posts: 161
    http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-pictures-and-percentages
    [/quote]

    Thanks for this link. Trying to work out my BF %
  • jonski1968
    jonski1968 Posts: 4,490 Member
    saw this last night on facebook regarding body fat....have a look...if this isn`t enough to encourage us to lose fat...then i don`t know what is..

    https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=399859243374318&set=a.176078149085763.45462.167444599949118&type=1&theater
  • kszabo
    kszabo Posts: 2
    :happy: You must feel awesome! That's a great health acheivement

    I'm around 26/27 down from over 38 (no idea how much over because I never tested back then!)... but still feel like I have a Long way to go!! Def. don't carry my fat anywhere near as well as some of the other ladies in this post!

    Just started adding "Insanity" to my work-out regime & hoping that toning things up a bit will help... but having said that, I'm pretty strong as it is (lean body mass estimated at ~ 140lb and I'm 5'9")
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