for men what's the right body fat percentage?

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LO DRAW      

i could probably try to google it, but maybe someone knows off hand?

Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:22 pm 

oldpjams      

Depends what you want to do with your body. For a 6-pack (in your ticker), 10% or below is a good round number.

Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:28 pm 

RedRox      

Depends. Don't think there is one magical number and I have seen different sources with different ranges. My health fair puts under 12% as excellent and 12 to 17 or 18% as good I think. I think shooting for under that 17 or 18% is a good goal. I think some ranges just put it at under 20%. The real problem is getting an accurate reading. Bioimpedance scales are notoriously unreliable in this area.

Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:29 pm 

RedRox      

Didn't see that as a goal. 10% for various sets of ab muscles to be individually identifiable by sight is a number I have seen in numerous places as well. You usually have to sacrifice some level of core strength to get them though is what I've read. Could be wrong about that though.

Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:34 pm 

oldpjams      

Not so sure about that, but I would add that my fave explanation of the whole 6-pack business is that your abs, particularly in men, are like a billboard of overall diet and health. It's very difficult to get great abs unless your diet/exercise is just right (or you are genetically gifted). Also, make sure you exercise for functional excellence, not just cosmetics. Work the whole core and have balance.

Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:38 pm 

RedRox      

Well it was at Yoga Journal's website, so consider the source. ;)

What's the minimum fat level before it starts getting dangerous for men? 6% or something like that? Or does it go as low as 3-4% Seems like professional athletes can get down to that level, at least in-season. I seem to remember Shannon Sharpe advertising he was down into that level when he was younger and in the midst of his career. But his body was in the "freak of nature" category from my perspective.

Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:57 pm 

RedRox      

some links to review on percentages. you may need to scroll around to find the body fat %'s depending on the page:

http://nutribase.com/fwchartm.shtml

http://www.freediets.com/BodyFatPercentage.asp

http://www.somersetmedicalcenter.com/frame.cfm?rueterspathway=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthlibrary%2Eepnet%2Ecom%2FGetContent%2Easpx%3Fdeliverycontext%3D%26amp%3Btouchurl%3D%26amp%3BCallbackURL%3D%26amp%3Btoken%3Db93d114e%2D5009%2D4f6a%2D9917%2D6c594254fcc7%26amp%3Bchunkiid%3D41373%26amp%3B%26%23xD%3B%26%23xA%3B%09%09docid%3D%2Fhealthy%2Fwoman%2F2003%2Foverfat

Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:32 pm 

City Girl      

Red, I think for men 3% is the minimum--you see that in marathon runners and the like. My husband is 6% and quite healthy (he was measured in a college gym class and I think his instructor fell in love with him :lol: ).

Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:50 pm 

   
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