How Lean Do You Like To Stay

[unscarred]

For me:

I use the tape measure method along with looking in the mirror for an ab outline. I cannot see any abs if I do not flex currently but if I flex I can make out four. I carry the majority of my fat on my abdomen as well. The tape measures 10% currently.

I have been trying to figure out a range to keep myself while adding muscle mass. Like staying within 8-12% for example (30-33" waist relaxed across navel for me with tape measure). I don't think I'll ever allow myself to get all the way up as high as 15% again and under 8% hunger increases exponentially. I am naturally endo-meso so without training I'm a heavy guy. I put on weight very easily. I am not competitive, so I see no need to go lower for myself at this current time.

Curious how lean you guys like to stay year around? From what I understand, staying too lean is a bit hard on an individual hormonally via excess cortisol production which has a negative impact on testosterone levels but enhanced individuals (as I assume most of us are...) don't have to pay as much mind to testosterone plummeting?

 

[kubes]

Never higher than 12 %

 

[Chode Logan]

I am just now entering the low teen bodyfat% after being overweight for the majority of my life, once I get down to where I need to be I don't really ever want to lose sight of my abs ever again. Been there, done that.

 

[nothuman]

I've been a single bachelor for most of my life so I like to be lean as much as possible for that purpose.

 

[AshopRep]

I would feel fat if I got over %10 bf.

 

[sma]

I like to stay ridiculously lean but with enough water retention to train my balls off

 

[Calpoly]

Never above 10%

 

[NobleRok]

I always stay around 6%, those are just my genetics. I'm a hard gainer even when I'm bulking my bf doesnt budge much at all. I'm at 198lbs 5'10 at around 6% i should check that out tomorrow and get an accurate measurement.

 

[guido torpedo]

I got up to 12.5% this year during the offseason and felt like a fat fuck! Big difference in terms of how I felt when I was7.2% last summer don't think I wanna go over 10 ever again

 

[Ehren]

10% or under. At 12% I feel like a fat ass.

 

[nosnmiveins]

10% or under. At 12% I feel like a fat ass.

Nailed it, same here.

 

[zaven]

Never higher than 12 %

^^^this

I like to stay as lean as possible, I don't care about size anymore or having to take this and that just to stay lean while trying to add as much muscle as possible. I like to keep it simple with high intensity workouts, good diet, and cardio since I don't like to rely on what I call "quick fix" supplements, meds, etc anymore.

I just want to enjoy a clean and healthy lifestyle with good diet, workout, etc without having to push the envelope with too much AAS, Food, etc. I'm in the middle of my last blast and then it's back to TRT doses from here on out for me.

 

[sazo75]

I always stay around 6%, those are just my genetics. I'm a hard gainer even when I'm bulking my bf doesnt budge much at all. I'm at 198lbs 5'10 at around 6% i should check that out tomorrow and get an accurate measurement.

198 @ 5'10 and 6% bodyfat thats pretty big mate, lol you have any pics ? My training partner is almost same stats getting ready for a competition though.

 

[zaven]

I always stay around 6%, those are just my genetics. I'm a hard gainer even when I'm bulking my bf doesnt budge much at all. I'm at 198lbs 5'10 at around 6% i should check that out tomorrow and get an accurate measurement.

No need to get an accurate measurement....just post up some pics, that'll do.

 

[gear-unit]

i love junk food so much so it is hard for me to stay at 10% and lower.
plus my body does not burn fat very easy.

 

[yatyas314]

10% or under. At 12% I feel like a fat ass.

Same

 

[raw33man]

I always stay around 6%, those are just my genetics. I'm a hard gainer even when I'm bulking my bf doesnt budge much at all. I'm at 198lbs 5'10 at around 6% i should check that out tomorrow and get an accurate measurement.

I'm sure you know the old saying,

pics or GTFO

 

[unscarred]

I'm curious, do you guys feel staying let's say...6-10% body fat year around (I know it's almost impossible to accurately measure body fat but I need a reference of SOME kind) hinders your ability to train and gain in anyway?

I love being lean, the leaner the better, but I have a LOT of mass to gain yet and am not sure if the body puts on mass better at higher body fat ranges or if that's mainly just for the unassisted? I'm new to assistance and have spun my wheels getting no where for three years due to over analysis paralysis. Finally getting things straightened out training and diet-wise after being diagnosed with the T levels of a 70 year old at 28 (no wonder it was hard to recover and gain for three years, I would gain but it would just be fat, diet back down, start over, etc etc).

I'm looking for a new range to maintain now that I am healthy and have strong T levels (extra high). If I can get away with never getting above 10% body fat and still gaining muscle mass adequately...well that would kick ass, scientifically speaking.

 

[cnriagu]

Why do I feel like most guys posting are greatly UNDERESTIMATING their bodyfat %??

PICS with date stamps may be needed....

 

[kubes]

Why do I feel like most guys posting are greatly UNDERESTIMATING their bodyfat %??

PICS with date stamps may be needed....

Most do