What's a good body fat percentage to aim for for a woman

gemmaleigh1989
gemmaleigh1989 Posts: 241 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I started at 24%, am currently 20% and am wondering what's good to aim for? I figured body builders sit at 5-10% so thought 15% would be realistic and a good goal? My goal is to have as little body fat as possible, I want to be fit and "toned".

Do I need to perhaps aim for lower than 15? My problem area is my stomach, I'd love to have abs and can feel them, just can't see them lol.

Thanks

Replies

  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    Women usually start losing their periods around 17%. So 18-20%?

    Women who compete don't stay at that low of a percentage for a long time. And they usually don't get as low as men as they have more essential body fat...


    http://www.builtlean.com/2010/08/03/ideal-body-fat-percentage-chart/
  • CristinaL1983
    CristinaL1983 Posts: 1,119 Member
    I think that 18% would be the lowest I would shoot for unless you are competing in something. If you want to get a more toned look, lift a lot of weights and add more muscle. I read that hormonal imbalance can start to occur at below 18% (I don't know for sure that, that is true). Plus, I like my boobs. (I'm actually shooting for about 20%)
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    For Women:

    Essential Fat: 10 to 13%
    Athletes: 14 to 20%
    Fitness: 21 to 24%
    Average: 25 to 31%
    Obese: 32%+

    For most women getting below 18% is a lot of work. Under 12 to 14% and periods can stop.

    I'm at 18% and I would not go lower than that.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Female body builders sit about 12%. Women need higher body fat than men. I think it's somewhat "dangerous" to go below 15% on a regular basis.

    My goal is around 20%.

    bfpercentage.jpg
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    15% is fairly low. Male body builders sit at 5-10%, but that would be pretty unhealthy for a woman. It depends a bit on your age, but 10-13% is usually essential fat, 20-14% is 'athletic', and low 20s is 'fit'. I am 21% and my kinesiologist warned me not to go much lower.
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    Most women have to get around 14% BF for abs
  • gemmaleigh1989
    gemmaleigh1989 Posts: 241 Member
    Thanks everyone. Maybe I'm just destined with this body then lol... Coz I'm at 20 and still don't have a flat stomache :( unless my body fat scales are inaccurate which is a bug possibility...

    And thanks for that chart! That's great...
  • gemmaleigh1989
    gemmaleigh1989 Posts: 241 Member
    Most women have to get around 14% BF for abs

    Awesome, thanks for that info! Abs are my goal so that has shed some light on the different body fat percentage stages...
  • spamantha57
    spamantha57 Posts: 674 Member
    I want to get back to under 20%. I don't think I want to go below 17%. I used to have a 4pack around 19%.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    Getting abs varies depending on where you carry body fat. I've always had visible abs at around 18%. I don't carry weight in my mid section.

    Also bodyfat scales don't really work.
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    Thanks everyone. Maybe I'm just destined with this body then lol... Coz I'm at 20 and still don't have a flat stomache :( unless my body fat scales are inaccurate which is a bug possibility...

    And thanks for that chart! That's great...

    body fat scales are notoriously inaccurate. Even calipers can be waaaay off. The most accurate ways are a hydrostatic displacement test (the dunk tank) or a body pod scan.
  • envy09
    envy09 Posts: 353 Member
    Getting abs varies depending on where you carry body fat. I've always had visible abs at around 18%. I don't carry weight in my mid section.

    Also bodyfat scales don't really work.

    Agreed. I have abs and there is no way I'm 14% BF.
  • gemmaleigh1989
    gemmaleigh1989 Posts: 241 Member
    I'm starting to see a very slight definition, mostly at the top, but there's definitely more tonlose before I get visible abs.

    Are those skin fold measuring tools more accurate than scales and are they hard to master?
  • Energizer06
    Energizer06 Posts: 311 Member
    Bodyfat scales suck! Take measurements and go to fat2fitradio.com input ur measurements . It will be much closer to what calipers would read
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    Getting abs varies depending on where you carry body fat. I've always had visible abs at around 18%. I don't carry weight in my mid section.

    Also bodyfat scales don't really work.

    Agreed. I have abs and there is no way I'm 14% BF.

    You do look very lean, though.
  • perceptualobfuscator
    perceptualobfuscator Posts: 159 Member
    Whether or not you show visible abs is largely genetic, actually. Some people can get down to a pretty low body fat percentage and still not show abs. I wouldn't recommend deciding your body fat percentage based upon this goal - for some people it's simply not possible, barring extreme (often dangerous) methods.
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    Everyone is going to be different so go as low as you can provided it is maintainable. I have friends who stay around 13 to 15% and can maintain it without much difficulty but others have trouble maintaining below 17%.
  • envy09
    envy09 Posts: 353 Member
    Getting abs varies depending on where you carry body fat. I've always had visible abs at around 18%. I don't carry weight in my mid section.

    Also bodyfat scales don't really work.

    Agreed. I have abs and there is no way I'm 14% BF.

    You do look very lean, though.

    I'm probably hovering around 18% or so.
  • gemmaleigh1989
    gemmaleigh1989 Posts: 241 Member
    Bodyfat scales suck! Take measurements and go to fat2fitradio.com input ur measurements . It will be much closer to what calipers would read

    Thanks, will try that when I get home and see how it compares

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