Body fat % needed for abs in women?

rainbowbow
rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
What percentage of body fat do women start showing definition in their abs?
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Replies

  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    Bump!
  • shaycat
    shaycat Posts: 980
    I would love to know to.
    Last time I measured it looked like I was at 19.6%
    I need to measure again soon because I am starting to see some cuts in my stomach so maybe it went down?
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    There is prob no clear cut answer, it will depend on musculature of your abs and your genetics

    http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-pictures-and-percentages
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    I would love to know to.
    Last time I measured it looked like I was at 19.6%
    I need to measure again soon because I am starting to see some cuts in my stomach so maybe it went down?

    And I'm at 17%, still flabby on top of the abs. I keep hearing "you can't spot reduce fat, just keep working at it" but in all honesty I'm not sure how much lower I need to lower my body fat % before I start having problems with Amenorrhoea.
  • dg09
    dg09 Posts: 754
    It's 8-10% for men I believe.

    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/body-fat-calculator/body-fat-chart.php

    Using the chart, maybe 16%? Best guess.
  • auticus
    auticus Posts: 1,051 Member
    Men is around 16. As mentioned above it tends to depend on your genetics as well as how defined your abs are in the first place.
  • beckylawrence70
    beckylawrence70 Posts: 752 Member
    14% or lower
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    I would love to know to.
    Last time I measured it looked like I was at 19.6%
    I need to measure again soon because I am starting to see some cuts in my stomach so maybe it went down?

    And I'm at 17%, still flabby on top of the abs. I keep hearing "you can't spot reduce fat, just keep working at it" but in all honesty I'm not sure how much lower I need to lower my body fat % before I start having problems with Amenorrhoea.

    Then maybe you need to make your abs bigger so they have more of a chance to show through. Mine show a bit at 21% but my fat is in my leg not my belly and I just went through a bulk where I tried to increase muscle size.
  • AggieCass09
    AggieCass09 Posts: 1,867 Member
    Totally depends on lots of factors like genetics. Generally, below 18%is considered athletic though.
  • shaycat
    shaycat Posts: 980
    I would love to know to.
    Last time I measured it looked like I was at 19.6%
    I need to measure again soon because I am starting to see some cuts in my stomach so maybe it went down?

    And I'm at 17%, still flabby on top of the abs. I keep hearing "you can't spot reduce fat, just keep working at it" but in all honesty I'm not sure how much lower I need to lower my body fat % before I start having problems with Amenorrhoea.

    How do you measure yours? I just did a random one online and it said I was at 25%. That seems way to high for me.
  • jesusHchris
    jesusHchris Posts: 1,405 Member
    Haha, I love all the very specific answers that are completely different than the one before. Sports nutrition and fitness are such an exact science. ;)

    I tend to agree with the one dude above that said it depends. Larger, more developed ab muscles will obviously protrude and be more visible.

    Whatever it is, good luck to you, you look great!
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    There is prob no clear cut answer, it will depend on musculature of your abs and your genetics

    http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-pictures-and-percentages

    Checking the link now. I might add I had an 8 pack from ages 8-14, and had about 10% body fat (I was a competitive gymnast). Because of that I started period later (not enough body fat) and it was a really ****ty experience I'd rather not deal with again.

    I wonder if that's necissary for me to look like I want again. =\
  • justnotthatcreative
    justnotthatcreative Posts: 26 Member
    11-12% is what I've been told. I'm trying to get there as well but i would just like it if i saw them when i tense my abs.

    Apparently you can work out roughly how long it takes but taking 12% from your current body fat then dividing it by 0.5%.

    The idea is that you can, if your dedicated, lose 0.5% of body fat a week...

    However, everyone is different especially us ladies. Just keep at it, take progress pics to keep your motivation up!!
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    It will depend your muscularity there as well as genetics (where you store fat most)

    I've never had visible ab definition and the lowest I was was around 17%. I did a bulk last year and I'm now cutting so hopefully when I lose the fat again, I might have a little bit showing as I have more muscle. I store most of my fat in my stomach though so is especially hard for me.
  • shaycat
    shaycat Posts: 980
    There is prob no clear cut answer, it will depend on musculature of your abs and your genetics

    http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-pictures-and-percentages

    Checking the link now. I might add I had an 8 pack from ages 8-14, and had about 10% body fat (I was a competitive gymnast). Because of that I started period later (not enough body fat) and it was a really ****ty experience I'd rather not deal with again.

    I wonder if that's necissary for me to look like I want again. =\

    I think you look nice. I dont think you need to lose to much more body fat.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    There is prob no clear cut answer, it will depend on musculature of your abs and your genetics

    http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-pictures-and-percentages

    Checking the link now. I might add I had an 8 pack from ages 8-14, and had about 10% body fat (I was a competitive gymnast). Because of that I started period later (not enough body fat) and it was a really ****ty experience I'd rather not deal with again.

    I wonder if that's necissary for me to look like I want again. =\

    I think you look nice. I dont think you need to lose to much more body fat.

    Thank you. It's just really frusterating to be told "well you don't look fat... But you definetly don't look fit" since then I've been on a vendetta to show that person where they can shove it. From 20% to 17% I haven't seen any changes in my stomache. :(

    It feels like making little to no progress.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    I appreciate all the reply's. I was hoping there would be an exact science to it! :P
  • BondBomb
    BondBomb Posts: 1,781 Member
    Im at 26% and mine show. Im genetically gifted though.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    I think your next step, if you want to improve, would be to build muscle since you pretty much can't get any skinnier and remain healthy.
  • mznisaelaine
    mznisaelaine Posts: 2,262 Member
    I was shooting for 19%.. But I have no idea if that is even right!! lol
  • shaycat
    shaycat Posts: 980
    My stomach is my problem area too. I feel like it is hard to make progress for me since I don't want to lose any more weight.
    However I seem to be seeing some results finally from Insanity.
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    There is prob no clear cut answer, it will depend on musculature of your abs and your genetics

    http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-pictures-and-percentages

    Absolutely.
  • shaycat
    shaycat Posts: 980
    I think your next step, if you want to improve, would be to build muscle since you pretty much can't get any skinnier and remain healthy.

    This is what I started doing. So I agree!
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    I think your next step, if you want to improve, would be to build muscle since you pretty much can't get any skinnier and remain healthy.

    This is what I started doing. So I agree!

    I agree with this too!
  • TheFunBun
    TheFunBun Posts: 793 Member
    Yeah, I'd definitely work my abs a bit harder so they had more of a chance to show through.

    OR, you could totally just do a really hardcore ab workout just before meeting that person who pissed you off and they can be all swollen and pumped in front of him lol!
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    This is exactly what I've been doing. Hoping I guess that they will eventually be visible!
    I think your next step, if you want to improve, would be to build muscle since you pretty much can't get any skinnier and remain healthy.

    This is what I started doing. So I agree!

    I agree with this too!
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    I'm working on the same. I can only see the outline of the top ones though and im starting to get too thin :C
    Bulking after summer! :D
  • LifeJacketWaterJogger
    LifeJacketWaterJogger Posts: 231 Member
    AWESOME WORK EVERYONE!
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    Yeah, I'd definitely work my abs a bit harder so they had more of a chance to show through.

    OR, you could totally just do a really hardcore ab workout just before meeting that person who pissed you off and they can be all swollen and pumped in front of him lol!

    Haha, I love how you knew it was a him! Although, I must say I agree with him. That's why I'm on this mission!

    :D
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    There is prob no clear cut answer, it will depend on musculature of your abs and your genetics

    http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-pictures-and-percentages

    Checking the link now. I might add I had an 8 pack from ages 8-14, and had about 10% body fat (I was a competitive gymnast). Because of that I started period later (not enough body fat) and it was a really ****ty experience I'd rather not deal with again.

    I wonder if that's necissary for me to look like I want again. =\

    I think you look nice. I dont think you need to lose to much more body fat.

    Thank you. It's just really frusterating to be told "well you don't look fat... But you definetly don't look fit" since then I've been on a vendetta to show that person where they can shove it. From 20% to 17% I haven't seen any changes in my stomache. :(

    It feels like making little to no progress.

    Your goals are your goals, but FWIW, from the photo you look fit to me. As a woman I personally have never hungered to have a six-pack -- I don't like the Janet Jackson look -- but I guess it's a huge sign of accomplishment for serious exercisers.

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