lean body mass: what is average?

kristi321

I searched the forums and Googled this topic with no luck. Does anyone know of a chart or website that addresses lean body mass averages compared to height? What is considered an average LBM to height ratio?

My stats:

5'4''
168lbs
29% body fat
119 lbs LBM (approx)

It seems like I have a higher LBM for my height but I'm just curious to compare to averages.

WendyTerry420

Bumping an old post.


I have been hunting through the Interwebz with no success. What I have seen is the 100 lbs of LBM might be an average for a 5'4" woman. (I'm also 5'4") I would think that mine ought to be higher, since I would have built up muscles in my legs from carrying around so much excess weight for many years.

So anyone have thoughts on this?

Chief_Rocka

LBM will depend on your size, and, of course, how muscular you are. A better question is, what is a good body fat percentage target?

The recommended amount of body fat for women is ~20%.
The average woman is 22-25%
>30% is obese
18% means you're in very good shape, comparable to 10% for a male.

Kaiukas

Yes, it is an unusual way of putting it. Not that there is anything wrong with it, but conventionally people look at the body fat %.

Have a look at this website: http://www.builtlean.com/2012/09/24/body-fat-percentage-men-women/

I think it illustrates pretty nicely were any of us is on this continuum and were they want to end up. I think it is quite a helpful visual representation of the issue.

WendyTerry420

True!

I need to get some calipers to see what mine even is. I was just thinking that 100 pounds seemed a little light. I found an online calculator that estimates for my height and weight that I am probably 50/50 fat/lbm which puts me at 112 lbs LBM and 112 lbs fat.

I don't know why this is bothering me. I seem to recall being in junior high and around 125ish pounds when someone came to the school with calipers and put me at "average" body fat. (I sure don't remember the numbers exactly, just remember being told that my body fat was "average." I know that I was 120 pounds in 6th grade and then 135 when I graduated high school.) That kinda bothered me because I don't like being average. :smokin:

I guess that it's the not knowing that bothers me. :ohwell:

I still have a long way to go, that much I know. But I am trying to maintain LBM. I guess that's the part that bothers me the most - the idea of potentially losing muscle.

Chief_Rocka

I still have a long way to go, that much I know. But I am trying to maintain LBM. I guess that's the part that bothers me the most - the idea of potentially losing muscle.

High protein + resistance training, your muscle mass losses will be negligible.

Keep in mind that LBM = anything that's not fat, so it includes, water, glycogen, connective tissue, etc.

WendyTerry420

Yes, it is an unusual way of putting it. Not that there is anything wrong with it, but conventionally people look at the body fat %.

Have a look at this website: http://www.builtlean.com/2012/09/24/body-fat-percentage-men-women/

I think it illustrates pretty nicely were any of us is on this continuum and were they want to end up. I think it is quite a helpful visual representation of the issue.

Hmm.... based on the pics, I am probably closer to 45% than 50%

The 35% woman does *NOT* look obese to me, not at all. That's about where I was after college and before pregnancies, but I had a bit more belly than she does.

tmtorres31

Bump

WendyTerry420

I still have a long way to go, that much I know. But I am trying to maintain LBM. I guess that's the part that bothers me the most - the idea of potentially losing muscle.

High protein + resistance training, your muscle mass losses will be negligible.

Keep in mind that LBM = anything that's not fat, so it includes, water, glycogen, connective tissue, etc.

Thanks.

I keep seeing people say that it's inevitable to lose muscle when losing weight, and I really want to get stronger. I have let myself turn into a weakling because even after I had kids and settled down my partying, I still just focused on the kids instead of on myself. They are teenagers now, so it's time for me! :bigsmile:

Chief_Rocka

I still have a long way to go, that much I know. But I am trying to maintain LBM. I guess that's the part that bothers me the most - the idea of potentially losing muscle.

High protein + resistance training, your muscle mass losses will be negligible.

Keep in mind that LBM = anything that's not fat, so it includes, water, glycogen, connective tissue, etc.

Thanks.

I keep seeing people say that it's inevitable to lose muscle when losing weight, and I really want to get stronger. I have let myself turn into a weakling because even after I had kids and settled down my partying, I still just focused on the kids instead of on myself. They are teenagers now, so it's time for me! :bigsmile:

Muscle loss doesn't really become an issue until you get lean. You could probably lose fat and gain muscle at this point.

campi_mama

Thank you for posting the link. Right now I'm sitting at about 27% BF and was feeling a bit UGH about it lol. Looking at the pictures helps because I have a difficult time actually "seeing" how I look. Still want to lean up, but slow and steady right??:happy:

Kaiukas

Mine is 23% and I wouldn't mind getting around 20% eventually, below that is not for me. I have an hour-glass figure and the idea of losing my luscious bum does not appeal to me :laugh: .

Kaiukas

Thank you for posting the link. Right now I'm sitting at about 27% BF and was feeling a bit UGH about it lol. Looking at the pictures helps because I have a difficult time actually "seeing" how I look. Still want to lean up, but slow and steady right??:happy:

Oh absolutely! Slow and steady is the ONLY way to go :flowerforyou:

Fozzi43

Mine is 23% and I wouldn't mind getting around 20% eventually, below that is not for me. I have an hour-glass figure and the idea of losing my luscious bum does not appeal to me :laugh: .

Keep doing lots of squats and lunges

Mine is 20.1 but would like to get down to 18-19 but doubtful that will happen.

campi_mama

Mine is 23% and I wouldn't mind getting around 20% eventually, below that is not for me. I have an hour-glass figure and the idea of losing my luscious bum does not appeal to me :laugh: .

I "think" I want to get down to about 22%. I too have an hour glass figure and hubby kinda likes the bum lol (me too :glasses: ).

Kaiukas

Yeah, campi_mama, that is the thing, not chasing the numbers just for the sake of it, but finding what is best for you. Saying that, there are women who look and feel and ARE absolutely fabulous with lower, or indeed higher, body fat % and I salute them for that!

It would be a rather boring world if we were all exactly the same. :flowerforyou:

campi_mama

Yeah, campi_mama, that is the thing, not chasing the numbers just for the sake of it, but finding what is best for you. Saying that, there are women who look and feel and ARE absolutely fabulous with lower, or indeed higher, body fat % and I salute them for that!

It would be a rather boring world if we were all exactly the same. :flowerforyou:

AMEN!

HMVOL7409

Yeah, campi_mama, that is the thing, not chasing the numbers just for the sake of it, but finding what is best for you. Saying that, there are women who look and feel and ARE absolutely fabulous with lower, or indeed higher, body fat % and I salute them for that!

It would be a rather boring world if we were all exactly the same. :flowerforyou:

This! Glad you stated it bc I started to get frustrated for a minute. Having low BF doesn't mean you have no curves. I am below 20% and have a plump toosh and curves still. It would be so boring if we all were the same; I agree!

WendyTerry420

I still have a long way to go, that much I know. But I am trying to maintain LBM. I guess that's the part that bothers me the most - the idea of potentially losing muscle.

High protein + resistance training, your muscle mass losses will be negligible.

Keep in mind that LBM = anything that's not fat, so it includes, water, glycogen, connective tissue, etc.

Thanks.

I keep seeing people say that it's inevitable to lose muscle when losing weight, and I really want to get stronger. I have let myself turn into a weakling because even after I had kids and settled down my partying, I still just focused on the kids instead of on myself. They are teenagers now, so it's time for me! :bigsmile:

Muscle loss doesn't really become an issue until you get lean. You could probably lose fat and gain muscle at this point.

That is what Sidesteel says too. I tend to believe that over other people. :bigsmile:

Now I just gotta wait until the overtime kicks in at work, so I can get a membership and start lifting for real.

raystark

<snip>
They are teenagers now, so it's time for me! :bigsmile:

Yes it is. Go you!

onyxgirl17

I don't know. I know that several different body fat methods have all given me a lean body mass of around 110 pounds and I weigh currently about 150 pounds.

wffolkes

I think my Lean Body Mass seems high for someone my height but maybe its just how i'm built.
I think I have a good muscle build under the last layer of fat which needs to go.
LBM - 168

Height: 5'8.5
Heaviest: 227lbs
Lightest: ??
Current: 203 lbs (92kg)
Current Bf%: 16 - 18% ( was measured by a PT at my gym and it said 16.9% however I think I may be 18%)
Goal: 183lbs
Goal bf%: 10%

Would be interested in hearing from those who have a similar build.