I've heard over and over that body fat is much more a measure of fitness than the # pounds you weigh. So, a year ago when I got back into swimming and fitness goals I bought a good quality body and weight measuring scale. Both stats. have gone down over the year but my body fat still seems high compared to what I would expect the progress to be. I'm now 185 lbs. (34 yo, 5'11" tall) and 21% body fat. A year ago I was 205 and 28%. 21% seems high. I think many athletically minded people get to 10% or below??? Is there a web site or place to see what body fat goals or averages are for various fitness levels??? My goal is to eventuall knock off about 15 more pounds but have no clue what I should target as a body fat % goal. Any advice/information is appreciated! I would like to think the scale is broken but I don't think that is the case.
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Former Member
The medical definition of 'ideal male', I was told, is 15%.
One year ago, at 6 feet and 162 pounds, I was measured at 14%.
162 pounds is not an indication of 14%, but an indication of 'light frame' as in light skeleton.
Competitive male swimmers who train six hours per day, get to in between 3% and 8%, but is good to have some fat for accessing a source of energy.
The medical definition of 'ideal male', I was told, is 15%.
One year ago, at 6 feet and 162 pounds, I was measured at 14%.
162 pounds is not an indication of 14%, but an indication of 'light frame' as in light skeleton.
Competitive male swimmers who train six hours per day, get to in between 3% and 8%, but is good to have some fat for accessing a source of energy.
