pre-contest bodyfat%?

[niladmirari88]

What's around the most bodyfat% you could before cutting 16 weeks for a show and still look shredded by competition?

[super_size_me]

I hope someone answers this one soon. I want to enter a competition this year...it will be my first one. I'm pretty lean right now, around 10%, but I'm only 180.

[Toni69]

I hope someone answers this one soon. I want to enter a competition this year...it will be my first one. I'm pretty lean right now, around 10%, but I'm only 180.

This is a good question. I used to train with this pro bodybuilder and he always told me not to worry about it. He would say.."its not like the judges ask you what bf you are"...so, we never measured mine. I only just did mine a couple weeks ago because I was curious.

I will wait alongside you for other comments.

[BitterNdThenSome]

best bf% is the lowest you can be by contest time. look in the mirror, do you look lean? ask other competitors at your gym, most are glad to give you an honest opinion, its not about numbers, its about appearance.

[naturalguy]

This is a good question. I used to train with this pro bodybuilder and he always told me not to worry about it. He would say.."its not like the judges ask you what bf you are"...so, we never measured mine. I only just did mine a couple weeks ago because I was curious.

I will wait alongside you for other comments.

Your correct. The number means nothing. You are judged visually. Everyone carries bodyfat differently. Some people look ripped at 6%, some people have to go lower. There is no set number. The scale doesn't matter, bodyfat % doesn't matter, measurements don't matter. Your judged on how you look. Use the mirror and pictures as your guide.

[niladmirari88]

Thank you for all your comments.

[COLE]

I have never done a show but I do know the higher your fat mass versus your fat free mass the more you have to cut and this could result in loss of muscle. A local Pro I am working with suggest, and he also follows this rule to not be more than 10%-12% body fat in the off season. At this you will be closer to contest ready at all times and it will be easier to diet down and not have to diet so hard that you sacrifice all the muscle you worked so hard to obtain in the off season. I am working to get down to the 10-12% and staying there until I am ready to cut for a show. Planning to do a show around this time next year. Everyone's body reacts differently so you may have to do a little trial and error to see what works best for you.

[vfchc01]

I am training now with a former pro bodybuilder, now doing power lifting, but he recommended the same percentages for off season, 10-12%. When I started training with him I was at 15% and I'm doing an 8 week cut to get down to 12%. Then I'm going to start building again, looking to compete in my first show either late this fall or early next spring.
- VF

[IronLeague]

Honestly, it doesn't matter what a "Pro" says.... The reality is, if you stay betwen 10 and 12% in the offseason your strength will suffer.. The main reason the pros stay so low is becasue they constantly have photo shoots and videos to do...not to mention guest posing.

For an amatuer it wont hurt to put on some extra fat, you can always do cardio and diet.. Maybe I'm just old school, I eat everything in the offseason.. I could care less about bodyfat, I could care less about "easy" contest prep.. I like it the hard way. I have no intrest in seeing my abs unless it's show time, I'm big and happy in the offseason..save that pretty boy shit for the Abercrombie&Fitch models..

All this "you SHOULD do this, you SHOULD do that" is garbage... Do what works for YOU, you're only judged on stage once a year. My vote is for BIG GUTS in the offseason BABY, keep it DIRTY..

Respect,
IronLeague

[Toni69]

I really, really like your style..awesome response here.

[IronLeague]

Thanks Toni...

[vfchc01]

Thanks for the responses guys. I've only been at this a year and I'm still experimenting with what works for me. So while I'm working with the trainer I'm checking it against what you guys have to say and then experimenting to figure what works with my body.

[BigAnt]

Honestly, it doesn't matter what a "Pro" says.... The reality is, if you stay betwen 10 and 12% in the offseason your strength will suffer.. The main reason the pros stay so low is becasue they constantly have photo shoots and videos to do...not to mention guest posing.

For an amatuer it wont hurt to put on some extra fat, you can always do cardio and diet.. Maybe I'm just old school, I eat everything in the offseason.. I could care less about bodyfat, I could care less about "easy" contest prep.. I like it the hard way. I have no intrest in seeing my abs unless it's show time, I'm big and happy in the offseason..save that pretty boy shit for the Abercrombie&Fitch models..

All this "you SHOULD do this, you SHOULD do that" is garbage... Do what works for YOU, you're only judged on stage once a year. My vote is for BIG GUTS in the offseason BABY, keep it DIRTY..

Respect,
IronLeague

Damn Bro..hollar!

AND PASS ME THAT PIZZA!

GOOD REPLY!

[Satchmo]

Ask Lee Priest.


LOL


Does anyone smell KFC?

[IronBrendan]

I agree. Numbers mean nothing. It's all about the mirror baby. Don't be the guy that wishes he would've cut a little harder. When you're on stage. The conditioning is all that matters.

That said, the answer to the original question completely depends on the person.

[niladmirari88]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I'm about 7-8 weeks out from my first comp and I've cut 30 lbs. so far. Everyone on this forum is outstanding. Thanks again for the responses.