I am sure there will be several different discussions on here about this, but I am just looking for a general estimate on what might be acceptable for heading to the beach. I have lived near the beach my entire life, but I have not been there and taken my shirt off since I was a small child...

The body fat you feel comfortable in.

-R

Depends on your bodytype. Two different people could have the same bodyfat percentage, but look completely different, because they carry their fat in different places. My arms and legs are very lean, and I am around 12% bodyfat, but I still wouldn't put on a bikini as I have some pockets of fat around my abdomen area.

Last summer when my friends went to the beach, I remember cancelling because my bodyfat was around 10%! and I just didn't want to be the ONLY person out of shape there :rolleyes:

Who the heck cares what someone else thinks, insecurities like that aren't usually fixed no matter how low your body fat might be....

On a side note though, maybe you meant to ask "what body fat % the average person at the beach is?" :confused:

Last summer, 30% was acceptable for me. This summer it will be around 10%. Maybe next summer it will be around 8%. I guess it all depends on how much you like the beach!

As someone else has already stated, "What ever bodyfat level your comfortable with". The fact is no matter what your bodyfat level is, if you feel good about yourself it will show!

Personally I'm never satisfied, so I'd still feel hesitant to take my shirt off even around 8%. At 10% last year I was slow to take my shirt off, and I looked like my avatar...

I think you should just enjoy yourself and not worry about what other people think. Really, they're only thinking about themselves anyhow. It's all about confidence. But losing weight, gaining muscle, and getting fit for yourself is another matter. Do what you need to do to feel and look good, for sports, and/or bodybuilding contests. Right now, I have about 11% body fat and am cutting to get down into the single digits before starting a bulking phase. But for myself. When I studied abroad in Australia, I probably had around 20% body fat. I didn't care. I went to the beach and had fun and surfed everyday, beer gut hanging out and all. And I got more hot girls with less effort than ever. Keep up with your fitness regimen. But don't let your current appearance stop you from anything.

I am sure there will be several different discussions on here about this, but I am just looking for a general estimate on what might be acceptable for heading to the beach. I have lived near the beach my entire life, but I have not been there and taken my shirt off since I was a small child...

I've seen people with all percents of BF at the beach. Actually, now that I think of it, a lot of people had greater than 12% with 15 or 16% probably being average.

Don't worry about it.

"You wouldn't be worried about what people think of you if you knew how seldom they actually do."
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Unless you are in the 40-50 percent range I would repeat what others are saying-people aren't looking at you with the scrutiny that you think.

I used to live on the beach and was into fitness at the time, but I don't remember there being much focus by the ladies on guys' physiques. You notice the people who are 300 pounds + but I don't remember the beach being some kind of fitness show.

What it comes down to is that if you're extremely concerned with how others view your gut then unless you get down to 6% you will always be obsessed with it. Vice versa, if you just enjoy yourself and get some sun you'll probably realize that most people don't notice that much.

that being said the answer is 13.73% :lol: :lol:

No one under 25% should feel any shame. But I have never looked down my nose at anyone on a beach, except maybe tattoos or piercings but that wasn't the question. :lol:

But I suppose you are asking what % before you can strut up and down, well if you are tan and worked out with weights, below 15%, gets you there, no matter what sex. :claphigh:

I used to live on the beach and was into fitness at the time, but I don't remember there being much focus by the ladies on guys' physiques.

Every time I've been to the beach there is HUGE emphasis on physique, and the hot girls DEFINITELY go for the ripped guys. This goes for just about everywhere, not just the beach. You don't see beauty and the beast couples too often do you?

If I'm not at or below 10% with abs, my shirt never comes off.

Too difficult to say. Some people - those with "hard" fat - carry weight better than others. Mine is "soft" fat (apparently it's healthier?!), so I don't like to be on the beach with more than 12%. Others would hate to be on it with more than 9% and others would be happy with 20 or 30%

When it comes to the beach, one thing that always sort of lurked in the back of my mind is, "If I feel that I'm too ugly to take my shirt off, do I really look that good with my shirt on? Is it a magical shirt or something?"

It's not like all a really overweight guy needs to do is put on a baggy sweatshirt and the women will be all over him.

Don't worry about the clothes. Work on the body and do what you want. Everything else will come in time.

i'd still be self conscious even if i was ripped. Prob go onto the beach with a shirt or sleeveless shirt on. Only time i wouldnt on the beach is if im swimming.. but i can't swim ;) :p so looks like im wearing shirts either way.

I went to Hawaii last summer and I was at 30%+ body fat. I didn't care if anyone was looking at me or not. Actually, I don't think anyone was looking at me funny because majority of the people on the beach were about the same as I. The main thing is that we had a blast while we were there and one week just seemed too short.

Just go out to the beach and have fun. Make sure you are happy, because a great smile and attitude are far more important than having a great body. If you are in a great shape than thats just icing on the cake. If you are fat, just don't wear a thong bikini on the beach, OK? Because that might get you noticed; not in a good way!

Every time I've been to the beach there is HUGE emphasis on physique, and the hot girls DEFINITELY go for the ripped guys. This goes for just about everywhere, not just the beach. You don't see beauty and the beast couples too often do you?

If I'm not at or below 10% with abs, my shirt never comes off.
A good looking woman is usually more concerned with a guy's face-as long as his body is OK it's usually not as important, unless you're talking about South Beach or Venice Beach.

I don't mean to assume too much, but if you live in Ohio chances are the times you went to the beach it was some kind of Spring Break Drunken College Girls Gone Wild type of trip where everybody was obsessed with flesh and beauty. That's not the kind of beach experience that most people have-On the typical California beach for most of the year there are usually plenty of pasty white middle aged and obese people around with their kids and picnic baskets and not that many hotties doing kegstands in between flashing the crowd. :lol:

You don't see beauty and the beast couples too often do you?


its so true. so true. i often wonder how Fat Joe can always have so many hot girls around him. oh wait..

ok, so you either need alot of $$$ or get ripped. or maybe Fat Joe just has a really great personality? :rolleyes:

I personally wont go to the beach unless im around 8%, unless its a very non-crowded beach, then its all good. plus im afraid of bees.

On the typical California beach for most of the year there are usually plenty of pasty white middle aged and obese people around with their kids and picnic baskets and not that many hotties
This is seriously an awakening for me. i thought the entire state of cali was infested with only beautiful women. as you can see i've never actually been there.

you learn something new everyday.

This is seriously an awakening for me. i thought the entire state of cali was infested with only beautiful women. as you can see i've never actually been there.

you learn something new everyday.
If you go to Huntington or Newport or Laguna in the summer you will see beautiful people. But don't believe what you watch on TV or in movies-there are plenty of regular looking beachgoers who don't inspire any :drool:

I haven't taken my shirt off at the beach in over 5 years (and I live in Florida).

I'm now down from 24+ % BF to around 14ish and I am still not to the point where I'm comfortable doing so yet.... I'm going to try to get down to about 11% before I'm going to feel somewhat OK with doing this....

but it's definately all personal choice here...

Personally I'm never satisfied, so I'd still feel hesitant to take my shirt off even around 8%. At 10% last year I was slow to take my shirt off, and I looked like my avatar...

So you'll post your full-on chest picture on the internet for us all to horror over and make comments about, but won't take your shirt off around strangers - or was it because of the poeple you were with.

Try having Gyno! At some point in time though, when my abs show I don't give a shit about the gyno becasue I'm still in better shape than 90% of the people. Still very inhibited though.

I'm still trying to decide if I can get low enough for a frontal shot on my aviator. I can't tell you what a big deal that would be for me. I'm close with 2 weeks to go! Then I've got to carb/calorie up for 9 days of highly active vacation and I don't think I'll get another chance to get this low this season (I need to maintain through the climbing/hiking season).

Actually, I spent an entire summer in both Ft Lauderdale Florida andanother summer in Virginia Beach. In both places, there werePLENTY of hot ladies, and all of them drool over ripped guys (luckily Iwas around 11% and big so I held my own. I hung out with my girland a group of her lady friends for an entire summer in Virginia Beachand EVERY SINGLE TIME a lean/muscular guy walked by they drooled. I spent almost 3 months there and it was like this nearly every singleday...

A good looking woman is usually more concerned with a guy'sface-as long as his body is OK it's usually not as important, unlessyou're talking about South Beach or Venice Beach.

I don't mean to assume too much, but if you live in Ohio chances arethe times you went to the beach it was some kind of Spring BreakDrunken College Girls Gone Wild type of trip where everybody wasobsessed with flesh and beauty. That's not the kind of beach experiencethat most people have-On the typical California beach for most of theyear there are usually plenty of pasty white middle aged and obesepeople around with their kids and picnic baskets and not that manyhotties doing kegstands in between flashing the crowd. :lol:

So you'll post your full-on chest picture on the internetfor us all to horror over and make comments about, but won't take yourshirt off around strangers - or was it because of the poeple you werewith.


The internet provides a safety blanket, whereas in real life there isnothing of the sort. I'm a very shy person (in person) and I'mvery self conscious. If I don't have abs, which I usually don't,my shirt won't be coming off. And you won't find me postingpictures of myself in my fat stages often unless its to demonstrateprogress.

Sure-there definitely is an emphasis on physique. And it can be harder to get girls when you're not in top shape. I still have done fine even when being far from my top shape. But is that the only reason to go the beach? (don't get me wrong-certainly a big one). I don't know if you have a girlfriend or not. But even if you don't right now, you can still have a great day at the beach. So, you may not hook up. I think it would incredibily stupid to sit there with your shirt on while everyone else is enjoying themselves and having fun in the water just cause you're not ripped at the moment. Not trying to offend anyone. Just something I'd never do.

Every time I'ven been to the beach there is HUGE emphasis on physique, and the hot girls DEFINITELY go for the ripped guys. This goes for just about everywhere, not just the beach. You don't see beauty and the beast couples too often do you?

If I'm not at or below 10% with abs, my shirt never comes off.

well lets look at this another way - show some respect to others!

I'm reminded of a season 2 episode of "curb your enthusiasm" called "The Thong".

If you're fat - you know you're fat. so dress appropriatly and dont wear some tight fitting speedo if you're not in shape. i dont mind seeing a beer belly dad out there with baggy trunks having a good time with his family, but just be curtious to others! :D

also the reverse is true... if your a woman with a GREAT body - i dont think you should be wearing too much. you;re young, and you wont have that great body forever! show it off while you still can and wear as little as possible. :tu: :D ;)


Sure-there definitely is an emphasis on physique. And it can be harder to get girls when you're not in top shape. I still have done fine even when being far from my top shape. But is that the only reason to go the beach? (don't get me wrong-certainly a big one). I don't know if you have a girlfriend or not. But even if you don't right now, you can still have a great day at the beach. So, you may not hook up. I think it would incredibily stupid to sit there with your shirt on while everyone else is enjoying themselves and having fun in the water just cause you're not ripped at the moment. Not trying to offend anyone. Just something I'd never do.

I'm engaged now, so I don't go to the beach looking for girls anymore. But if I were going looking, I'd definitely try to go intop shape.

Sure-there definitely is an emphasis on physique. And itcan be harder to get girls when you're not in top shape. I still havedone fine even when being far from my top shape. But is that the onlyreason to go the beach? (don't get me wrong-certainly a big one). Idon't know if you have a girlfriend or not. But even if you don't rightnow, you can still have a great day at the beach. So, you may not hookup. I think it would incredibily stupid to sit there with your shirt onwhile everyone else is enjoying themselves and having fun in the waterjust cause you're not ripped at the moment. Not trying to offendanyone. Just something I'd never do.

I'm engaged now, so I don't go to the beach looking for girls anymore. But if I were going looking, I'd definitely try to go intop shape.

I have to agree with supirman here. For somebody at our age, me being in my mid-twenties, appearance is paramount when it comes to the beach. Let face it, most guys want to impress the attractive girls and at the beach the best way to do that is to look good yourself. Its survival of the fittest and you really need to be at a certain level to even be a contender.

Would having some extra fat stop me from spending spring break at the beach? Probably not, but I think I would have a lot more fun if I had something to show off. Im sure my perspective will change when I get into a serious relationship and am thinking about marriage but right now this is how I feel.

Stop the insanity!!

Is there really this much pressure when going to the beach? It's a place to go have fun, play, and forget about the pressures of life for a few hours or days. I can't seriously believe that there are those of us who go to the beach, step out onto the sand, whip out the calipers and then decide "hmmm, 14.8% today, guess I'll be leaving the shirt on today so as not to disgust others with my hideous physique." or "yep, 9% today. Shirt off, gonna score with the babes today."

I realize that I'm not a mid twenties hottie out looking to hook up so maybe my perspective is a bit skewed but do some of you honestly want a relationship with a member of the opposite sex (or same sex for that matter) who's interest in you relies on your BF %? Look good for you. Be happy with yourself and the rest will follow. Spend as much time exercising your mind as you do your body and I would think that most of your desires will be fulfilled.

Sorry for the mini rant but I guess I never thought that the subject of the thread was an issue. Go to the beach, take off your shirt, have fun, heck wear a thong if you want. Don't worry about what other people think as long as you're happy with yourself.

I can't wait for the thread for people to discuss the proper BF% for a nude beach. Now that should be interesting!

Sorry for the mini rant but I guess I never thought that the subject of the thread was an issue. Go to the beach, take off your shirt, have fun, heck wear a thong if you want. Don't worry about what other people think as long as you're happy with yourself

Well said, apart from the thong remark, no man should ever wear one :lol:

I can't wait for the thread for people to discuss the proper BF% for a nude beach. Now that should be interesting!

Well, now that you mention it...



Er, uh.. I mean... :o

Stop the insanity!!

Okay! :p

yes stop the insanity!!!!!

u all have more than enough time to get into a low bf%

no clue what I am now but I'd be more than comfortable taking a shirt off.
ihate the fat i have by my lovehandles and low back but hell ive never looked this good!!! *STRUT!

i think last summer i was prob 16% and i felt better than ever. looking now..lol what was i thinking~!!!! but i had fun and felt comfortable.


lots of time to get skinny!!!

Hammond -- your post sums up my thoughts exactly. I go to the beach to enjoy the cool breeze, the ocean, sun, and to generally to relax and enjoy myself. Having others admire your physique is of course flattering, but I am not going to let a little extra body fat get in my way of having fun.

I think there is probably a little ego-centrism at work here. The self-selected group of people who choose to post here are very particular about their bodies and their appearance, and so, the natural tendency is to assume that everyone else is as critical as those of us at JSF....which is without a doubt, certainly not the case. At the beaches I've been to, there are people of all shapes and sizes, and so unless you stand out one way or the other (having an exceptionally good or exceptionally bad physique), most people aren't going to really notice -- most will be concentrating on their own business -- namely, enjoying themselves and having fun at the beach.

I realize that I'm not a mid twenties hottie out looking to hook up so maybe my perspective is a bit skewed but do some of you honestly want a relationship with a member of the opposite sex (or same sex for that matter) who's interest in you relies on your BF %?

Relationship is the wrong word. What we want from the beach is a fine piece of ass to have fun with for a few days. I love walking on the beach and having people stare b/c I am muscular and lean - most people on the beach are just fat. And yes, if you have some muscles and are around 9%, you will most certainly score with the ladies (unless your face is butt ugly and you can't talk -- but even then alcohol can save the day :lol:)

True. You're right on this one. It's disgusting to see flabby 60 year old men in speedos just as it's digusting to see obese 60 year old women in bikinis. But that doesn't mean someone should avoid the water and wearing normal swim trunks without a shirt. I don't think the orignal poster was worried about being offensive though. I think he was talking about being self-conscious, which I don't think he should be.

well lets look at this another way - show some respect to others!

I'm reminded of a season 2 episode of "curb your enthusiasm" called "The Thong".

If you're fat - you know you're fat. so dress appropriatly and dont wear some tight fitting speedo if you're not in shape. i dont mind seeing a beer belly dad out there with baggy trunks having a good time with his family, but just be curtious to others! :D

also the reverse is true... if your a woman with a GREAT body - i dont think you should be wearing too much. you;re young, and you wont have that great body forever! show it off while you still can and wear as little as possible. :tu: :D ;)

Dude, of course the beach is a perfect place for random hookups and spring break trips (and alcohol). That's basically what all of my spring breaks in Acapulco and Cancun were for me. (during which time I was in great shape) But that's not all the beach is good for. I lived in Australia for a semester a block from the beach. I went pretty much every day, and it wasn't always about having a wild time. More often than not I was going to surf, catch some sun, hang out with friends, toss the football around, barbecue. Sometimes I even went alone with a book or my ipod just to relax and enjoy the nice weather. The better you look, the more likely you're going to hook up and the hotter girls you're going to get. But you can go to the beach and have a great time (shirtless) without that goal in mind and without being super cut.

Relationship is the wrong word. What we want from the beach is a fine piece of ass to have fun with for a few days. I love walking on the beach and having people stare b/c I am muscular and lean - most people on the beach are just fat. And yes, if you have some muscles and are around 9%, you will most certainly score with the ladies (unless your face is butt ugly and you can't talk -- but even then alcohol can save the day :lol:)

I think this is all mostly a personal thing. I've seen some pretty gross things on the beaches in mexico ( men/women over 60 wearing far too little and WAY letting too much show), but other than that i don't realy care about how everyone else looks. You don't like how someone looks fine don't look at em theres plenty of space, it is a beach.

With regards to the beach shirtless thing, i like to be around 12% for that, anything less and i start to get bony and look kinda of reptilian. This fall my school went to algonquin park and i was shirtless for most of that, i felt very comfortable at 12% and i think the girls felt more than comfortable.

Relationship is the wrong word. What we want from the beach is a fine piece of ass to have fun with for a few days. I love walking on the beach and having people stare b/c I am muscular and lean - most people on the beach are just fat. And yes, if you have some muscles and are around 9%, you will most certainly score with the ladies (unless your face is butt ugly and you can't talk -- but even then alcohol can save the day :lol:)
amen sister :tucool:
i'm really looking forward to this summer.

I can't wait for the thread for people to discuss the proper BF% for a nude beach. Now that should be interesting!

It'd probably have to be about 100%.

Because if I still had the power to move, I'd be getting out of there.

I remember when I was at college and we would go to the beach. The proper body fat for taking your shirt off up there was probably something like 80%, because it was frickin' Connecticut in February and it was twenty degrees outside.

I did have some good times on that beach. But they involved firing a potato cannon out over Long Island Sound, not cruising for chicks. Because there were no chicks. Just cold. And skunks. You had to watch out for those beach skunks.

ha! awesome.


I remember when I was at college and we would go to the beach. The proper body fat for taking your shirt off up there was probably something like 80%, because it was frickin' Connecticut in February and it was twenty degrees outside.

I did have some good times on that beach. But they involved firing a potato cannon out over Long Island Sound, not cruising for chicks. Because there were no chicks. Just cold. And skunks. You had to watch out for those beach skunks.

Whomever said that us folks in are mid 20's face physique as a paramount for going to the beach is correct...its true in other areas too...when i hit the bar or club, the girls there arent impressed with my personality, the first thing they see is my looks and my physique, if that attracts them, then maybe i have a shot with my charm...

Atleast this holds true around here, there were very few times during my fat stage that i hooked up with attractive girls from a club, however when i was not so fat (170ish at age 20) i was getting much more attractive girls...id even go so far as to say the confidence level at varying stages of fitness comes into play big time at this point (im not as confident at 200lbs. as i am at 160...)

I realize that I'm not a mid twenties hottie out looking to hook up so maybe my perspective is a bit skewed but do some of you honestly want a relationship with a member of the opposite sex (or same sex for that matter) who's interest in you relies on your BF %?


Thats exactly the point. The last five or so times Ive gone to the beach have been either Spring Break situations or hanging out with the guys. The focus is on meeting girls and we're definitely not talking long-term relationship here. I know what I want in a long-term girlfriend and while looks are important many other factors are equally important. Im not any more obsessed with appearance than anyone else my age. It comes with the territory. I cant change my environment and Im not sure I would anyway. I like the competition.

I haven't read this thread since it started.

Maybe it's because I grew up with one of the most famous beaches five minutes away, but I didn't know the beach had such neuroses attached to it. A trip to the beach and taking a shirt off while there really shouldn't be so mentally stressful. It must be. This thread is three pages long... it's strange to see that people spend so much time worrying about what everyone else thinks of when they're on an effing beach. I go there to relax... listen to the ocean, watch the waves and the occasional lolly walk by... going there with all this baggage on one's shoulders kind of negates the purpose of going, if'n you ask me...

-R

Amen! (this will be my last post on this thread)

I haven't read this thread since it started.

Maybe it's because I grew up with one of the most famous beaches five minutes away, but I didn't know the beach had such neuroses attached to it. A trip to the beach and taking a shirt off while there really shouldn't be so mentally stressful. It must be. This thread is three pages long... it's strange to see that people spend so much time worrying about what everyone else thinks of when they're on an effing beach. I go there to relax... listen to the ocean, watch the waves and the occasional lolly walk by... going there with all this baggage on one's shoulders kind of negates the purpose of going, if'n you ask me...

-R