Is 155 lbs too low for a male (5' 8")?

endermako · June 2014

my ex is 5'8 and 140lbs he doesnt look skinny to me

BusyRaeNOTBusty · June 2014

Thank you for all the responses. Looks like the overall message is to start strength training right away.

I am in the planning stages of this change as with two toddlers adding something new into our daily routine takes planning. Besides I am vegan so I really need to plan my diet and workouts carefully.

Thanks again.

Find a reasonable gym with a daycare. It's awesome. My kids like it too.

joelgriffiths · June 2014

Bodybuilding.com has really good workouts. My personal favorite is a 5 day split (http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/wotw41.htm - 3rd place routine), but they have routines for every split you can think of. You might want a 3 day split with kids. I would personally save money on day care and buy some duct tape instead.

raindawg · June 2014

...Like other posters mentioned, start lifting now, and lift heavy.

Lift smart, don't worry about heavy. Jumping straight to heavy is risky. Just swing one toddler in each arm, they'll have fun and you'll get a workout.

I agree. Get your form right first. Jumping right to "heavy" without learning the proper form is a recipe for a painful injury.

I'm 5'10", 163 lb, 8% bf, 31" waist. You can look lean and very muscular at 155-160 lbs. I lift 3X a week, for about 30 minutes, with cardio on alternating days, and one day off entirely. It doesn't take a lot of work, or hours slaving away at the gym if you do it right, and - very important - get the nutrition right.

Good luck!

Yes, what they said. I'd been lifting moderately for five years before going heavy so the transition was easier. Lift safely, but start to lift now to minimize muscle loss as you continue to lose weight.

ironanimal · June 2014

No, not really. It'd be too low for my own preference, but yeah. It's fine.

rudy336 · June 2014

i think that is a perfect weight. also, i really don't agree with the height weight chart that doctor's use. im 5'5 and 217. the only area that shows my weight is my belly, rest of me is fine and pretty well defined.

mayfrayy · June 2014

It depends on body type.

I'm 5'9
Currently ~180

At my lowest I weighed 168 ~8%bf size 30/31 pants

I personally wouldnt be able to get lower than that without losing a lot of leg muscle (i got a donkay)

I like being between 170-175

ROBOTFOOD · June 2014

No way man. You're good.

I'm 6'0 and a lot lighter. My goal is to reach 150+
Recovering from spinal fusion (scoliosis) so It might take a while.

ahamm002 · June 2014

This morning I finally dipped below 155 lbs. I feel great, wears 32" pants and overall I think I look smart. There is still some more fat around belly which I hope to get rid of very soon.

Now the question - Is 155 lbs too low for a male who is 5' 8" tall?

My plan is to get down to 150 lbs and then start strength training.

It's not necessarily too light. But you don't want to diet your way down to that weight without also strength training b/c at this point you're going to be losing a lot of muscle along with the fat.

Linnaea27 · June 2014

This morning I finally dipped below 155 lbs. I feel great, wears 32" pants and overall I think I look smart. There is still some more fat around belly which I hope to get rid of very soon.

Now the question - Is 155 lbs too low for a male who is 5' 8" tall?

My plan is to get down to 150 lbs and then start strength training.

I don't think 155 lbs is too light for someone your height, by any means. My fiance is 6' tall and 145 at the moment, and I think he looks pretty good like that (he's a naturally slim, wiry guy but does have muscles). An ex boyfriend of mine was your height and I think around 135-- he was skinny but also had muscles from a lot of hiking.

Sounds like your goal of 150 is reasonable, to me.

TonyStark30 · June 2014

I'm 5'9, on my first weight loss journey I got down to 141, I didn't look skinny, just felt undersized, but I didn't want to be much leaner than that. I think I'm best around 150, I bulked up, Now my new goal is to get down to 147 or below, Eat a whole Large Pizza, and thats the weight I should be!

bv109 · June 2014

if you dont lift, no it is ok. if you do lift, youre borderline

macchiatto · June 2014

You're in a healthy range, but it totally depends on your build and body type.
My husband is 5'8" but built like a power lifter. He has a large, very dense/heavy bone structure and a ton of muscle mass. I can't even imagine him at 155; his ideal weight is 195ish. He's one of those people that BMI just does not work for.

LumberJacck · June 2014

Rather than giving weight/height, how much fat is on your stomach? I believe that's a better measure of how much you want to lose.

Achrya · June 2014

My husband is 5'10 and 155 pounds (and still cutting) and I doubt anyone would consider him 'too skinny'. So no, it's not 'too low' but it really depends on what you think about yourself

mark2479 · July 2015

Your stats based on charts I've seen, seem to indicate that you are in the normal range. Yet, actually I have no idea what to tell you for sure, as to what's normal. I'm beginning to wonder about myself, as I'm 5' 9", 150 lbs. and have a 26" waist. I wear 27-28 inch jeans. I do not fit into any of these charts.

I would guess that I'm like the previous post; small boned and slim, with muscles. I don't work out a lot, but lift heavy plants and equipment at my job.