Height and Weight Standards

Kevin Perry · 02-24-2008, 09:17 PM

What would you guys consider healthy and functional weight for male and female height? For weightlifting and crossfit.

Reason I ask is because Im trying to research inormation on height and weight charts as it relates to weightlifting and most of what I find is information on health sites that of course have no reference to specific sports.

I've actually been developing an interest in comparing strength to body weight ratios between athletes in shorter heights compared to taller heights and the percentage of weight they lift and I would like to build a chart on this.

Nathan Stanley · 02-25-2008, 12:30 AM

When I was in college I was 5'10" and weighed around 190 lbs and was considered "obese" by military height/weight charts even though I had to cut to 177 lbs in order to wrestle. I looked at joining the Marine OCS but when they said I had to weigh 163 in order to qualify I said no thank you. Keep in mind I was a small college All-American that year.

The whole idea of height/weight charts I think is ludicrous, although w/ a couple of other measurements (neck and wrist size) they can produce results comparable to bioimpedence or caliper measurements.

Troy Archie · 02-25-2008, 06:19 AM

What your sport is also effects it. Like Nathan said, he had to cut down for wrestling. My O-lifting coach always says a guy my hieght (5'-10.5") should be in the 94kg class, I think it was 94kg...

Kevin Perry · 02-25-2008, 07:12 AM

I understand the military part, I think the height and weight standards are ridiculous for it.

but I like watching how weight affects performance for say weightlifting and crossfit. It interests me needless to say.

Leo Soubbotine · 02-25-2008, 07:39 AM

The more oly lifting I do - the heavier I get.
The more oly lifting I do - the better I get @ Crossfit.

I probably would be even better at CF @ lighter weight, yet I like heavy lifting and occasional strongman work.
Example: just last week I did "Annie" in 6:32 @ 224 lbs bw.

Patrick Donnelly · 02-25-2008, 02:50 PM

The perfect bodyweight lies somewhere between an 8 year old male gymnast and a 45 year old powerlifter. Good luck finding it.

Mike ODonnell · 02-25-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Donnelly

The perfect bodyweight lies somewhere between an 8 year old male gymnast and a 45 year old powerlifter. Good luck finding it.

The Sport of Guinness has no perfect weight.....

Kevin Perry · 02-25-2008, 07:59 PM

So then technicaly I will never be able to find any stats on it because weight is entirely dependent upon the sport undertaken and perhaps how the indivdual feels in compliance with what their goals are.

Hmm I guess thats technically better because then it leaves a person with no guidelines that they are "supposed" to be restricted to.

Robb Wolf · 02-27-2008, 04:54 PM

Kevin-
we tinkered with this stuff for a while. You might search the CF message board for "optimum body weight" or something to that effect.

SportivnyPress had an interesting analysis of top level Olifters...they are HEAVY relative to their height. by contrast a gymnast who is 5'8" and 170lbs is pretty damn large...some kind of sweet spot might exist for that height and say 18-lbs? But then you have guys like OPT 5'9" 161 lbs and a complete monster. Some of the better crossfitters have a sense of an optimum BW based on a give workout or type of WO. 2-4 lbs heavier and Fran is easier due to the increased engine. 2-4 lbs lighter and runs are easier. Interesting stuff to ponder for sure.

Gabe Rinaldi · 02-27-2008, 05:34 PM

It's been a few years and I don't have the book in front of me, but if I recall correctly the Supertraining text by Siff and Verkhoshansky has quite a bit of data on this topic...at least as it relates to weightlifting. You can take the same logic and science and apply it to other sports or CrossFit.