body fat % for competing?

[Fastcav]

Was wonding about what is a good body fat % to shoot for competitions? Just had my body fat analized at my gym this morning in the bodpod. I weighted in at 184.7 with 8.7% body fat and 169.2 lbs of lean muscle mass. Was thinking about doing an amature/first time show in June if I can bulk up a little so when I cut down im still about 185. Any thoughts, comments, advice appreciated.

[2.minutes]

i guess 4-6 is the average, u can check the competition forum to get more accurate details

[bigsd67]

First off, if you want to compete at 185 then your bulk should/will take you to about 200-220lbs. A lot of people underestimate the weight loss that occurs when dieting that hard.

Most people competing are usually in the 3-5% bodyfat range (I've seen people calipered at less, but that does not include fat around your spine and organs).

If you were to start dieting TODAY then you could expect to compete at 165-170 depending on how much muscle you can keep. Also remember that bodyfat tests can be misleading. If you are less than 9% then you should have a nice six pack, some traces of serrattus muscles showing, good quad separation and vascularity and striations in your arms, chest and shoulders.

Lastly, it also depends on how tall you are. I've seen guys at 5'5" compete at 146lbs shredded and look gigantic. I am 5'8 and competed at 154 and looked very very small. At my height, my goal is to get on stage 175 or higher ripped. Remember guys that compete are usually shorter because you can be lighter but look much better because of height.

Any questions feel free to PM me and definitely look at any post by Narkissos, MikeXXL, IB D, Carlos E, and MrMent1on. Those guys have been competing VERY SUCCESSFULLY

[PROTEINSHAKE]

great post bigsd67
...I AGREE 100%.... & the names you mentioned are just some of the guys that are top notch,it would be hard to name them all of course. I will be around 207 before I cut to 176 for middlewieghts,just as reference

[*Narkissos*]

^^Good post Bigsd

[bigsd67]

great post bigsd67
...I AGREE 100%.... & the names you mentioned are just some of the guys that are top notch,it would be hard to name them all of course. I will be around 207 before I cut to 176 for middlewieghts,just as reference

good point....not to short change anyone else's knowledge as we all have some great info and input on training/eating.

[feloniness]

hmmm i am actually thinking about competing. im 18 at 155 pounds...do u actually have to weigh in cuz im good at cutting weight. and this would be like a year from now. i just want some info...some1 point me to the right place

[bigsd67]

hmmm i am actually thinking about competing. im 18 at 155 pounds...do u actually have to weigh in cuz im good at cutting weight. and this would be like a year from now. i just want some info...some1 point me to the right place

Yes you weigh in...cutting weight is the last thing you want to do though. This is not wrestling, you want to be as heavy as humanly possible with the lowest percent bodyfat imaginable.

[feloniness]

oh ok...that makes sense. and how would i go about starting this off...i know i ahve to get bigger and what not. but is there like a specialist who trains u. like the poses and flexes u do on stage. sorry if i sound like a idiot but i honestly dont know much and am really interested

[BrassBolt]

my last show I was at 3%

[bigsd67]

oh ok...that makes sense. and how would i go about starting this off...i know i ahve to get bigger and what not. but is there like a specialist who trains u. like the poses and flexes u do on stage. sorry if i sound like a idiot but i honestly dont know much and am really interested

No worries man, we all had to start from square one at some point. The first thing I did was actually go to a local show and see what it's all about. Go for prejudging and the finals and really take in the whole event.

Becareful when you look for a specialist because a lot of people claim to be guru's but really don't know jack. Also you want to make sure that if you are training natural, you work with someone that has experience with natural competitors.

If you want to train with someone online there are a few guys here that coach people. I am not one of them yet. I also know of a few guys that train people online and have years of experience and success. Go to your local gym and have someone weigh you, take bodyfat percentage and take your circumfrence measurements for Chest, Waist, Arms, Shoulders, Thighs, Calves, etc... that is your best tool to gauge how you're coming along.

If you give those stats to us here then someone will be able to help you out. Just know that it is time consuming so be prepared to take this VERY SERIOUSLY and also to invest some money into a good gym, good food, supplement, and a coach.

If after reading all this you are still geared up for competing then go for it. It is by far the most rewarding sport I've ever done in my life. Sorry for the long winded post, but there is so much info on this topic. Do some research while your at it and learn all about it.

[IBdmfkr]

Good info for newbs Bigsd, glad you took the time.

About underestimating the weight loss that's a fact! I went from 205 to 178 when I dieted down and I was in decent condition before I started cutting.
I tend to hold a lot of water which I found out the week coming into the show. close to 8lbs.

[hillshooter]

Good info for newbs Bigsd, glad you took the time.

About underestimating the weight loss that's a fact! I went from 205 to 178 when I dieted down and I was in decent condition before I started cutting.
I tend to hold a lot of water which I found out the week coming into the show. close to 8lbs.

How do you find out if you are retaining water like that?

[IBdmfkr]

Not something you need to worry about unless you are doing a contest and need to be shredded and grainy looking on stage. Not healthy to deplete like that either.

[hillshooter]

I am not worried, just curious. What are the tricks?

[IBdmfkr]

Tricks to what manipulating water retention? If you're holding a lot of fat then you need to lose that first.

[hillshooter]

whats " a lot of fat" to me alot is like 50 pounds, over 30%. I am just curious what other guys tricks are for getting rid of water retention, not that I would use the info. Its interesting to me how different pro's look day to day than in a show, whats the last 24 hours like until show time?

[IBdmfkr]

lol go to the Comp forum and read around, it's all in there. I could write a few pages about this at the least.
And someone that is 50lbs overweight to me is considered "morbidly obese".

[feloniness]

thanks for the info bigsd67