I'd like to hear some feedback on this quote from Wikipedia:

"The leanest athletes and bodybuilders typically compete at levels of about 5-8% for men, and 10-15% for women.[4] Getting to this level usually requires specific and carefully monitored variations in food, sodium and fluid intake, and also a carefully planned and implemented exercise program. It can be dangerous to maintain a body fat percentage at the low end of this range for more than a few days or a few hours. - "The New York Body Building Journal, 2004, June 9th"

-from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_fat_percentage

IS THIS TRUE? A FEW HOURS? REALLY?

Has anyone here experienced adverse side effects or has your health been in danger? Intersted to know.

Absolutely. It's most of the skill in BBing contests - to get to that low-point and dry for the morning/evening of the contest. People lose/win often based on what they can get to look like in those few hours.

The months of hard work up to contest day is just the 'primer' so to speak. The necessary work to put one into position to look good on contest day.

Maybe you have a mis-conception about just what 3-5% BF looks like? I think we just had a Mr. Olympia. I'm guessing they were around the 4-5% BF mark on competition day.

It would be also interesting to see different BF% on women as well.

Does height make a big difference to how a certain BF% looks on someone? EG Does a shorter person look leaner at a higher BF% than a taller person at the same % ?

It would be also interesting to see different BF% on women as well.

Does height make a big difference to how a certain BF% looks on someone? EG Does a shorter person look leaner at a higher BF% than a taller person at the same % ?

Not really. Since it's a percentage, a 6' tall person and a 5' tall person would look the same with 10% body fat, assuming the same basic body structure.

It can be dangerous to maintain a body fat percentage at the low end ... for more than ... a few hours.

to get to that low-point and dry for the morning/evening of the contest

But I thought getting dehydrated actually makes the body fat percentage higher?

But I thought getting dehydrated actually makes the body fat percentage higher?

I think you are right being dehydrated can make the BF % APPEAR higher on the tanita (its isn't in reality of course) and for these shows I don't think they measure the individuals BF its a question of HOW THEY LOOK on stage and dehydration is part of them getting the right lean look for that moment (I think)

"The leanest athletes and bodybuilders typically compete at levels of about 5-8% for men, and 10-15% for women.[4] .

How many compete at 8%? I thought they were mostly sub 5% for competition?

I'd like to hear some feedback on this quote from Wikipedia:

"The leanest athletes and bodybuilders typically compete at levels of about 5-8% for men, and 10-15% for women.[4] Getting to this level usually requires specific and carefully monitored variations in food, sodium and fluid intake, and also a carefully planned and implemented exercise program. It can be dangerous to maintain a body fat percentage at the low end of this range for more than a few days or a few hours. - "The New York Body Building Journal, 2004, June 9th"

-from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_fat_percentage

IS THIS TRUE? A FEW HOURS? REALLY?

Has anyone here experienced adverse side effects or has your health been in danger? Intersted to know.

I basically agree with Wikipedia's stuff, however, I disagree with this one. Too generalized and from personal experience and being and seeing other bodybuilder's, definitely not true. Depending on ones genetics and medical issues, then it might warrant justification.

BTW, if you plan on competing at 5%-8% bodyfat as a guy, prepare to be embarassed and blown off the stage. :nod:

from personal experience and being and seeing other bodybuilder's, definitely not true.
Wikipedia's stuff is wrong all the time, but it can be corrected by anyone, as long as they give a good source.

What body fat percentage do you think bodybuilders compete at? Do most of them measure their body fat percentage? Is it recorded anywhere?

Wikipedia's stuff is wrong all the time, but it can be corrected by anyone, as long as they give a good source.

What body fat percentage do you think bodybuilders compete at? Do most of them measure their body fat percentage? Is it recorded anywhere?

For natural competitors I've seen anywhere from 2-8 percent. Do most of them measure their bodyfat? I have no idea. Some do, some don't. Some rely solely on the mirror and take a guess at their bodyfat levels. Is it recorded anywhere? Don't know.

When I competed in the NPC they favored size over conditioning. NPC does not drug test or polygraph, so the judges might be following a different set of criteria. For natural shows the judges lean more towrds conditioning.

I've always recorded bodyfat going into a show. I usually have the same trainer measure at the same time every morning once per week, beginning at 12 weeks out. The lowest I've ever been on a 9 site caliper is 2.79%. If my bodyfat is over 4% at 1 week out, I will pull out of a show. Being ectomorphic, I must get shredded otherwise I stand no chance, since the prospect of me "outmuscling" anyone is slim.

Getting below 3% is quite wierd. I have to stop squatting and deadlifting because I have virtually no fat or sinovial fluid protecting my joints. You are also advised not to get into any bar brawls or car accidents due to internal hemmhoraging (sic)....reason being there is no fat surrounding your organs at this low a level. Your brain is also functioning 2 steps behind everyone else. For me, I'm usually 3-4 steps behind. :rolleyes:

From "The Truth About Bulking" (http://www.t-nation.com/readArticle.do?id=1268956&cr=) by Christian Thibaudeau:


The average gym rat also doesn't want or need to get into stage shape (2-4% body fat); being lean and defined is enough. For most men, we're talking about a body fat percentage of around 8%, which is attainable by everyone if proper efforts and strategies are used. And once you reach 8% body fat, it isn't all that painful to maintain that level, certainly not to a point where you become so deprived that you gotta go on a all-you-can-eat eating spree for three months out of the year!

The lowest I've ever been on a 9 site caliper is 2.79%. If my bodyfat is over 4% at 1 week out, I will pull out of a show. Being ectomorphic, I must get shredded otherwise I stand no chance, since the prospect of me "outmuscling" anyone is slim.

Getting below 3% is quite wierd. I have to stop squatting and deadlifting because I have virtually no fat or sinovial fluid protecting my joints. You are also advised not to get into any bar brawls or car accidents due to internal hemmhoraging (sic)....reason being there is no fat surrounding your organs at this low a level. Your brain is also functioning 2 steps behind everyone else.

Good info! That should be added to the wikipedia article.

I basically agree with Wikipedia's stuff, however, I disagree with this one.

The good thing about Wikipedia is that you can go ahead and change the text :)
I'm sure the opinions of experienced people like you are worthy of being noted there.

The good thing about Wikipedia is that you can go ahead and change the text :)
I'm sure the opinions of experienced people like you are worthy of being noted there.
I found a couple more references, and edited the page to show them. I don't know if it's any more accurate now, or if the elements I referred to are specifically related to body fat percentage. Check the link again.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_fat_percentage#Recommendations

Do sodium, potassium, alcohol, and ointments actually change a person's body fat percentage, or do they only increase vascularity by manipulating "cellular fluid"?

http://bodybuilding.com/fun/anthonyl3.htm

Do sodium, potassium, alcohol, and ointments actually change a person's body fat percentage, or do they only increase vascularity by manipulating "cellular fluid"?


Are you referring to Peak Week? If so, then no, sodium, potassium, alcohol, ointments would not affect body fat levels. It would be strictly for "tightening" up, vascularity, water manipulation under the skin.

I think you are right being dehydrated can make the BF % APPEAR higher on the tanita
To be accurate, it's not just the Tanita reading, body fat percentage DOES get higher when you're dehydrated. Of course, the AMOUNT of the fat doesn't change, it's just its PERCENTAGE.
Just like when you get an haircut or a teeth pulled out, your body fat percentage increases (very slightly though), but of course no fat was added during...:p

To be accurate, it's not just the Tanita reading, body fat percentage DOES get higher when you're dehydrated. Of course, the AMOUNT of the fat doesn't change, it's just its PERCENTAGE.
Just like when you get an haircut or a teeth pulled out, your body fat percentage increases (very slightly though), but of course no fat was added during...:p

You are absolutely right, thanks for the correction ;)

Ok, first off, Jedi, I am not buying it...

I see that picture of you, and I don't believe your stats. You cannot be 24% body fat and look that great, girl! Are you pinch/caliper testing? 'cause if you are, go get underwater weighed. That's the way I look at 17-18%. At 22%, I look like a cow- saddlebags and everything. (ok- I might be a little hard on myself) And below 14%, I lose my monthly cycle.

Being too lean is not as much a problem for men as it is women. But, girls... being below the point where you lose your cycle causes estrogen level to drop below what's healthy, your eggs start to die. If you don't want children, keep doing that to yourself.

I know we are talking competition here... but just know what you are doing to yourself...

Also, the black and white of it is, the brain is mostly made of fat to cushion the neurons. Kids and teenagers need that. Oh- wait- me too...
I need that fat, and so do you.

There is such a thing as being too lean.

Dr. Jen

Oh wait- Jedi- I see that you are 18%... when that was taken? That makes more sense...

This all goes to show, though... that people carry it somewhat differently... even if they have the same BF...

Oh wait- Jedi- I see that you are 18%... when that was taken? That makes more sense...

This all goes to show, though... that people carry it somewhat differently... even if they have the same BF...

well the tanita still says 24:D but from my caliper attempts and a couple of measurements taken with impedance monitors by a coach during the year i think its around 18;)