Whats the lowest bf% anyone has got down to naturally?

[Belial]

When i was my thinnest I got down to about 4%. I'm around 5 - 5.5% now. Not for long, though!

And booger, that site is the most hideous thing I've ever seen.

[This message has been edited by Belial (edited April 20, 2001).]

 

[johnny iron]

This past summer/early fall I was at my leanest. According to my skinfold measurements (and I was consistent once per week) I was just over 7 percent. My abs were visible, especially the uppers. I could see the veins in my arms, chest when I'd flex hard and even i little in the frontal view of the lat. Even though my bodyfat was that low (im just over 9 now, which is typical for me), I still carried a bit of extra fat on my lower back/love handle area. I think you have to be below 6 to get rid of that. My strenght wasn't affected at all. I was almost at my strongest ever in the squat and deadlift. High bodyfat doesn't necessarily equal more strength. It's just that getting to a lower bodyfat percentage means losing extra muscle most of the time just to get there.
On the same note, there are many people who are natural that can easily maintain low bodyfat levels. Like Valdez said about his friend who doesn't eat clean. I know a guy just like that. He is chiseled, but at 6 foot 1 only weighs about 160. He isn't very athletic, but looking at him, I'd say he's around 5 percent. Genetics.

 

[karellan]

Valdez, you son on a bitch. 7% without trying. You son of a bitch. I'm just kiddin, pal. Wish I could've been like that before I started.

"High bodyfat doesn't necessarily equal more strength. It's just that getting to a lower bodyfat percentage means losing extra muscle most of the time just to get there."

I think that a higher bodyfat gives your joints more "padding/cushioning/support" and allows you to lift heavier. But like you said, they usually lose muscle getting to a lower bf%. Plus they won't have as much stored fuel (glycogen) to lift.

On the issue what is possible naturally, I think 8% is a pretty smooth transition from being at 12% or so. How easy is it to maintain? Not hard at all, unless you like to follow cutting cycles with serious bulking cycles (25+ lbs) like I do.

 

[Liberator]

Smart

I have always been very very lean, all my life until now, Ive never been fat, so I think getting cut should be very easy for me (I hope!!).

I'm still pissed about my bf%, one guy with calipers says between 8 and 9% (he said he was qualified but hadent done it for a while) and yet the gym says I am 14% (using one of "those machines").

Who the hell is right!!?! Can I get it done somewhere else??

I can see the veins over both biceps, and can just about see my abs. I can sometimes see a vein go across my chest after chest day too. (I know that probably does not help).

 

[avenger]

I work my ass off and diet like crazy and can't seem to get below 9%

 

[smallmovesal]

if i wanted a guesstimate of my bf how could i do that on my own?

 

[keiko]

Sal--I don't havwe a link handy, but there are lots of BF calculators on the net--you measure your hips and waist, and plug in the numbers. It's only a ballpark number. Do a search under BodyFat Calculators.
Judging by your Chat pix, you look pretty lean.

 

[smallmovesal]

thanks keiko - you're always a huge help!

 

[smallmovesal]

http://members.aol.com/webhealth/bodyfat.htm

is what i used... i plugged in my digits and got 25% bodyfat! i know it's ballpark, but could this be true? my #'s were 25, 108, 23, 5.5, 36, 8.5

 

[smallmovesal]

the next one i did said 19%

what should i aim for, regardless?