Good Body Fat Percentage: Fat or Fit?

The concept of a good body fat percentage may sound ridiculous to you - in a world obsessed with the idea that "fat-free is good" and "all fat is bad". Find out here what all the buzz is about a healthy, good body fat percentage, rather than the "ideal weight".

If you are like most people, you are on the lookout for the ultimate weight loss plan, one that will help you achieve a lean, fat-free body, your ideal weight.

But think about it.

Is your body weight by itself an accurate indicator of optimum health and of a trim and fit body?

After all, a fit athlete can be overweight according to the standard weight/height charts, but not overweight by any fitness standard.

In fact, because fat is lighter than muscle mass, your weight may increase as you exercise. Why? Because you lose body fat and gain muscle mass instead.

Your body fat percentage is a measure of your body’s composition; how much of it is fat. Unlike your weight, your body fat percentage shows exactly how much of your body is made up of fat. So, it makes more sense to talk of a good body fat percentage rather than ideal weight, right?

As you can see on the body fat percentage chart, when it comes to a healthy body fat percentage, sex and age count. For example, if you’re a woman, a healthy body fat percentage is 19-31% (depending on your age), and 11-23% if you are a man.

Big difference.

It’s easy to find out what is your body fat percentage using one of the many body fat scales available or one of the other ways to measure body fat.

Good Body Fat Percentage vs. Body Weight

As you've seen, your body fat percentage shown by body fat scales is a much more accurate indicator of good health and fitness than just your body weight. If you have an athletic body, you can be significantly overweight according to ideal body weight charts, yet very healthy and fit - just because your body fat percentage is low and your lean muscle mass high.

On the other hand, if you have a sedentary lifestyle your body fat percentage is likely high and your lean muscle mass is low. You may not look obese or even overweight, but still have a poor health and fitness level.

Well, fitness is about optimal health, high energy levels, an overall good feeling, and a trim look. Believe it or not, fitness is increasingly relevant as you age, especially if you are a woman. Why?

Because with advancing age, your body undergoes more stress (due to child birth and hormonal changes during menopause) in comparison to a man's body. And if you’re over 40, your body begins to naturally lose muscle mass along with bone density, as a result of complex hormonal changes.

So, your priority should be aiming to reach a healthy body fat percentage and a good level of fitness - through an effective and practical type of strength training called calisthenics routine.

Besides creating a healthy body fat percentage, this type of strength training has many benefits.

It's quick, convenient (you do it at home) and doesn't require any piece of equipment. Plus, not only your muscles do not become bulky, but as fat is replaced with lean muscle mass, your body gets toned, looks slimmer and well-shaped.

Because lean muscle mass is heavier than fat, strength training does not necessarily help you reduce your body weight. However, it helps you reach and maintain a good body fat percentage, get fit, gain muscular strength and increase your bone density.

As you age, strength training helps you maintain a good health, brink back the vitality and youthfulness in your life.

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Do You Have a Healthy Body Fat Percentage? Do You Know What is a Good Body Fat Percentage for You?

Good Body Fat Percentage vs. Body Weight