Body Fat % to "See" Abs

SleepySin
SleepySin Posts: 168 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've been curious as to what general percentage ranges people start to really see definition in their abdominal area so I came across this on another website. Thought I'd share...

Burn The Fat Body Fat Rating Scale:

WOMEN:
Competition Shape ("ripped"): 8-12%
Very Lean (excellent): < 15%
Lean (good): 16-20%
Satisfactory (fair): 21-25%
Improvement needed (poor): 26-30%
Major improvement needed (Very poor): 31-40%+

MEN:
Competition Shape ("ripped"): 3-6%
Very Lean (excellent): < 9%
Lean (good): 10-14%
Satisfactory (fair): 15-19%
Improvement needed (poor): 20-25%
Major improvement needed (Very poor): 26-30%+

<http://www.amazingabdominals.com/body-fat-percentage-to-see-abs.shtml&gt;

For those who monitor body fat percentages, how do you compare to the figures above?

Replies

  • Rayman79
    Rayman79 Posts: 2,009 Member
    I'm sitting on the cusp of fair & poor at the moment. Want to get down to around 12% and see where I go from there...
  • alyssamiller77
    alyssamiller77 Posts: 891 Member
    I'm at about 9.5% and yes my abs are visible. Not ripped or shrink wrapped looking but certainly there is some definition.
  • SleepySin
    SleepySin Posts: 168 Member
    Thanks for the input. Your thumbnails pics help too.

    Any ladies with thoughts on this..?
  • qtiekiki
    qtiekiki Posts: 1,490 Member
    I can start seeing definition when you get into the "good" range... although I never had my bf% accurately measured. I think I was in the 19-20% range when I saw definition.
  • SleepySin
    SleepySin Posts: 168 Member
    I can start seeing definition when you get into the "good" range... although I never had my bf% accurately measured. I think I was in the 19-20% range when I saw definition.

    First off, you look amazing as a mother of 2!!

    I'm in the 'good range' too - coming in at about 19% body fat but not seeing the definition I'd like. I still have some work to do! :)
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    At about 10% I can readily see some abs definition. I would like to get to 8% and see how that looks.
  • Annieapple12
    Annieapple12 Posts: 122 Member
    I think this varies wildly. I have very strong abs as I have been belly dancing for a few years and I put on muscle fairly easily. Coupled with this I don’t tend to store far on the top of my stomach. It’s all on my back (I HATE my backfat), boobs, lower stomach and thighs. And a bit under my chin :-(.

    I am 164 pounds and 5 foot 4 so overweight. However, when I tense you can see my top abs. I don’t know what my bodyfat % is but I imagine it is above 26%.
  • cubbies77
    cubbies77 Posts: 607 Member
    Just curious - wouldn't body composition come into play at some point? Some women are "poochier" in their abs than others. I know mine has a naturally rounded shape even at goal weight, and it's hard to get it flat. I tried for years (before gaining weight, obviously).

    So, even if I'm down to a good body fat %, would that mean my abs will never show? I don't really care if they do or not; I'm just wondering.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Just curious - wouldn't body composition come into play at some point? Some women are "poochier" in their abs than others. I know mine has a naturally rounded shape even at goal weight, and it's hard to get it flat. I tried for years (before gaining weight, obviously).

    So, even if I'm down to a good body fat %, would that mean my abs will never show? I don't really care if they do or not; I'm just wondering.

    I beleive you are talking about the difference between being skinny fit and in shape with low body fat %...? You can have ten percent body fat and not work out and look like crap...or you can hit the weights alot and have ten percent body fat and looked ripped..

    Also, everyone is different. Some people's abs may pop with no training at 10% body fat and other people need to train their abs to make them pop at ten% ...

    I guess it all depends on what you are doing work out wise...A long distance runner with 10$ BF will look different then a guy that lifts 5-6 days a week and has 10% BF...
  • Legs_McGee
    Legs_McGee Posts: 845 Member
    Last time I had my bodyfat % measured it was 19%. I can see my abs. I'm 5'10, 140#. But I have a naturally lean torso so even if I put on 40 pounds I'd probably still have a flat stomach (and an *kitten* the size of a Buick).
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    It depends on where you store your excess fat too. Mine is in my hips so I can see a "hint of abs" at 23ish%.
  • hannahcall2
    hannahcall2 Posts: 175 Member
    I'm 5'5, 135# and have seen my abs gain definitio since I hit the 21% BF range. It's not tight yet, but I can clearly see a 4-pack and they are hard as a rock
  • stephdeeable
    stephdeeable Posts: 1,407 Member
    I just want to see my toes before I worry about seeing my abs.
  • n0ob
    n0ob Posts: 2,390 Member
    Us big 'ole boys see them easier. Mine get decently defined at 12-15%.
  • GrnEyes839
    GrnEyes839 Posts: 74 Member
    stephdeeable that was funny :) Great job on the weight loss!!!!
  • trojanbb
    trojanbb Posts: 1,297 Member
    I can see mine at up to 14% or so. For an unflexed fully visible six pack, under 9-10% with minimal bloating.
  • tigerblue
    tigerblue Posts: 1,526 Member
    24% and I can see my upper abs.

    Here's the strange thing--my stomah, even the lower part, is pretty flat. But there is still enough fat under the skin to cover the lower abs. They don't pooch out, but I still have a bit of muffin top if I wear low rise jeans. I guess my "visceral" fat is mostly gone, but I still have some under the skin.
  • kaitlynelkins9
    kaitlynelkins9 Posts: 26 Member
    My body fat percentage is around 15%, and for me, that seems to be right at the cusp of abdominal definition; if I put on any additional fat at all, I tend to lose the visible abs. My body fat tends to migrate to my lower abdominal region most, so I have to be relatively lean in order to see good definition.
  • waldo56
    waldo56 Posts: 1,861 Member
    At 11% right now. I have a fine 6 pack when flexed. Unflexed definition though doesn't start coming in until 10% and below. I can see them flexed on up to 14-15% or so.

    It really depends on what "see" means. There is a HUGE diference between visible abs when flexed and visible when unflexed.
  • workhardplayhard
    workhardplayhard Posts: 41 Member
    totally depends on body type but for me at about 13% saw abs and 10% starting to get ripped and 8% is shrink wrap
  • krullone
    krullone Posts: 7 Member
    I just want to see my toes before I worry about seeing my abs.

    Now that is a good one! Actually made me chuckle... keep on keepin' on!

    FWIW, I'm about about 10% now and if I flex real hard and squint my eyes I can see that abs (which I've never have seen in 42 years) are wanting to come out. I'm not sure I'll go any lower to try to free them, but we shall see.
  • LeenaRuns
    LeenaRuns Posts: 1,309 Member
    I'm "lean" and have a 6-pack.

    ETA: 16.8% in my profile pic.
  • amysj303
    amysj303 Posts: 5,086 Member
    My profile pic was when I was probably between 20-24% but I was dehydrated from a medication I had to take. Did make me see a little definition, but I don't think I will ever have a six pack, I guess you have to have abs to reveal them! I am posting the pic below, you might find it interesting
    jgml9t.jpg
  • Pohudet
    Pohudet Posts: 179 Member
    I am a woman in the satisfactory - fair bf range, and I do see some definition. True, my fat goes mostly to my hips. I do indeed do my ab and lateral ab routines very regularly, they are my fav.
  • DrMAvDPhD
    DrMAvDPhD Posts: 2,097 Member
    Just curious - wouldn't body composition come into play at some point?

    I'm guessing that is why these are ranges and not absolute numbers :wink:
  • Annieapple12
    Annieapple12 Posts: 122 Member
    Just curious - wouldn't body composition come into play at some point?

    Well yeah that is the point I was making. I am overweight but you can see my top abs when I tense. Some people don't have this at a healthy weight.
  • gxm17
    gxm17 Posts: 374
    I'm in the lean range, around 18 to 19% (at least according to my scale) and my abs are flat but no sixpack because there's a layer of fat covering them up. But that's okay with me, I prefer a "curvier" look.
  • NRBreit
    NRBreit Posts: 319 Member
    I can see mine at up to 14% or so. For an unflexed fully visible six pack, under 9-10% with minimal bloating.

    I agree. I have a clearly visible 4-pack in the 14-15% range. To get the full six-pack with lower ab definition, I have to be well under 10%.
  • RHSheetz
    RHSheetz Posts: 268 Member
    I just want to see my toes before I worry about seeing my abs.

    LOL - Yeah that is a great feeling to see them again. Every so often, I just look down and wave at them and say hello! Keep going you can get there!
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    Just curious - wouldn't body composition come into play at some point?

    I'm guessing that is why these are ranges and not absolute numbers :wink:

    This. My last professional test has me at 14%. I have a very strong/tight core and lift heavy but while I have oblique and top 2 definition I don't have a ripped 6 pack for that low of BF. It's not my goal so I don't care but I do believe that genetics and how your built are a key factor as well.

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