+ 20 Body Fat Estimates
Been seeing a lot of posts where people are starting cycles, mid cycles, end of cycles, first ever cycles, etc where they throw out body fat percentages. Typically because we are asking for more metrics to help better guide advice on compounds, dosages, etc for these cycles. Often, I see drastically overestimated levels of leanness. I.e. folks saying they’re 10-12% or 14% bf and really are 15-20%. Getting below 10% is extremely lean and you start seeing vascularity and details in areas you didn’t think possible (if you’ve never been below 10% before).
I’m not discouraging anyone here and everyone dieting/cutting is fighting the same fight and dealing with the same struggle. This is just to help manage expectations and keep a more realistic mindset.
I’m 6’ and 235lbs here and roughly 12% bf. To normal everyday people it will look ridiculously lean. 7-8% compared to me is an order of magnitude difference in appearance, even though it’s only ~4% lower.
To all those cutting and grinding, so you can start a bulk in prime conditions for growth, don’t stop early because you think you’re at 10% when you’re really at 15%. It’s only hurting your own progress. I know it sucks, you’re hungry and tired, but keep on going.
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shredded
Looking great man!
How do you guys measure your bf% ?
I have calipers. When I get lean enough that calipers give wonky numbers, then you move to Dexa or hydrostatic. Probably easier to find dexa near you.
Scales or any of those impedance devices are shit. Good for measuring relative drops in bf% but not absolute bf % level. It may read 12% when you’re really at 18%. But if you measure in same conditions later in your cut and it says 8% then you at least know you dropped 4% from whatever your real starting point was.
The calipers don't work very well for me. I tend to carry visceral fat which the calipers can't measure. I agree with you on the impedance scales being shit - mine was 17% higher than the DEXA!
yeah I guess I'll try the calipers. they don't cost much
was just curious because I see so many members here talking about their bf%
Thanks
impressive condition, dense and hard, a very solid progress
You look good man. I will never be this low in bf lol. Is this post in response to the guy yesterday claiming to be 7-8% which was nowhere close to that??
Yes, but we aren't trying to be hateful just educate. That guy is 6 weeks out from a show and is gonna have to dig so deep to even get to 10%, just want to be honest.
This is exactly where I'm at right now just finished a 13 week cut now in the perfect position to Reverse out slowly as the body is fully primed to grow. Alot of guys jump on cycle with to high body fat and come across problems with e2 and all sorts or just end up getting softer and softer holding water. I'm currently following the john jewett approach now looking to gain 0.5-1lb per week for the next 12 weeks and assess from there. Also alot of guys do is jump on cycle and start pushing the food like crazy this is not the way to go! Great post, great physique brother ++
John Jewett is someone I’ve recently started opening an ear for too. Seems to know his stuff & def has the size to prove it lol. I like his style of training & PEDs - very disciplined and tracks every variable
100% brother his knowledge is just another level and has really helped me level up this year I'm actually thinking of signing up to his j3u course
Great post … needed to be said. I’m currently deep in a cut aiming for a true 12%, which is already solid stage-ready conditioning for most non-competitors. But you’re spot on … what most people call 10% is closer to 15–17% in reality.
For guys like me who lean more meso/endo( I was built to BE huge
), getting truly peeled takes serious work … especially around stubborn areas like lower back and glutes. You’ve gotta push harder, longer, and stay uncomfortable longer than most think.
Real 12% is what Instagram usually calls 6–8%, and dipping below that? That’s when life gets weird … sleep, libido, energy… everything tanks.
So yeah, mirror > calipers > scale. And don’t quit the cut early just because abs are showing. Keep grinding until the waist, not the mirror, confirms it.
Is it possible to reply with a picture? I have a picture from when I was on a cruise to the bahamas back in Feb. They had a BMI scanner on the ship and although it's not as accurate as a dexa scan the specialist that ran the sports clinic on the ship said it's normally pretty close. I'd like to see who can look at the picture and get closest to the BF the scan said I was at...
Just post it in the photos and let everyone take a poke!
Yep… I know I’m a solid 20-25% at the moment. I’ve been sub 15% once in my life for a year or two and that was rough. I’m happy with 17%-20% as that has been some of the healthiest years of my life (college athletics).
I’ve seen people posts claims that they are 9% bf with no visible abs. Greg Doucette offers a great video on body fat comparison and I believe majority of people here should consider watching it.
Great post and great physique. I’ve blown a couple cuts because I was sure I must have been single digits and after adding back in the cards/holding more water it was obvious I was like 12% max. Best thing to do imo is always push a little more and get a little leaner once I think I’m done.
I thought you were going use a photo where you looked lean mate??
Touché lol
Top notch!
Appreciate this post, people need to have realistic expectations. I am never trying to call people out because it isn't that they look bad, they just aren't as lean as they think. 5-6 is what most pros are at on stage.
100% couldn’t agree more !!