Question about Body Fat %

Daniel Labuz · 12-23-2008, 04:43 PM

I heard it was not healthy, or at least not ideal to have a body fat % under 6-7% for long periods of time. Why is that?

I know that those elite bicyclists have really low body fat %, sometimes in the 3-4% mark I've noticed, do they typically stay that way all the time or just on race day/season?

Emily Mattes · 12-23-2008, 05:37 PM

I'm guessing bicyclists are not actually in the 3-4% range. Otherwise they wouldn't be performing all that well.

More medically-trained people than me will soon chime in, but there is a level of essential fat in your body, fat surrounding your organs and such, that's necessary for survival. Get lower than it and shit stops working.

Garrett Smith · 12-23-2008, 05:57 PM

If BF% gets too low, the hormonal systems get all out of whack, that's for sure. Technical terms, of course.

Derek Weaver · 12-23-2008, 07:24 PM

I have started to see a trend where people tend to feel really good between 8-12% -give or take a % point- BF depending on the person. This observation is mainly from a couple of discussion boards that I frequent.

I've also read, probably from crazy ole' Poliquin, that insulin sensitivity for males tends to be best sub 10%. I personally feel best around 8-10% BF... and I feel like all hell right now which is an indication of where my body comp is at post mass gain.

George Mounce · 12-23-2008, 08:47 PM

I'm with Derek, I do best at around 10%.

Dave Van Skike · 12-24-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Labuz

I heard it was not healthy, or at least not ideal to have a body fat % under 6-7% for long periods of time. Why is that?

I know that those elite bicyclists have really low body fat %, sometimes in the 3-4% mark I've noticed, do they typically stay that way all the time or just on race day/season?

they really drop to sick levels during long stage races..it's not uncommon for amateurs to drop as much as 10 pounds on a 4 day stage race.....anyone who says they are consistently under 5% is

a) lying to themselves
b) a genetic freak
c) a taking hormonal aids.

Daniel Labuz · 12-25-2008, 01:27 PM

I see, thanks for the replies. I was jut wondering because a few climbing folks I've talked to say they stay around 4-5% all the time, and it doesn't seem like they pay much attention to diet little or at all.

I also read somewhere that bicyclists do have very low body fat %, but it didn't say if they consistently held that. I wouldn't think so due to the fact that there would be no reason to after race season since a lot of them do strength training

Will Moore · 12-26-2008, 11:54 PM

Over the years, I have been able to maintain around 5% for long periods of time...however, it comes with a price:
1) Nearly impossible to gain additional strength or muscle in this state.
2) Enurance suffers
3) A general "crappy" feeling and bad attitude that never seems to go away.

Most of the time, these low percentages occured "accidentally" as a result of my diet, activity level at the time. Usually, when the cold months approach, I instinctively consume more calories and the percentage increases.