Pictures of Bodyfat Percentages

[fog_hat1981]

I think that this is a great tool to gauge where you are actually at in accords to your bodyfat percentage. Leave the calipers at home and watch the mirror. I see too many posts running around where people claim to be at 3% bodyfat and they are closer to 7-8%. Just be honest with yourself - if you're onstage at your presumed 3% bodyfat and someone comes in much leaner than you maybe you just need to buy new calipers or leave them out of your plan completely.

Taken from PumpingIron at BodybuildingDungeon.com

I found this information on another board.

In the book "SLICED" (by Bill Reynolds & Negrita Jayde), the states of muscularity are objectified as follows (I'll summarize each):

1. Full house = Over or near 20% bodyfat with no visible muscle definition and only a hint of separation between major muscle groups if those groups are very large. Basically a person in this state could be confused for a football linebacker. If you're higher than this bodyfat percentage, you'd be considered overweight/obese.

Here are some examples of the Full House state:

Tankus: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attach...postid=1874224

CrazyMike: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attach...postid=2272262

2. Hard = Some muscle separation appears between delts and upper arm. Abs are still not visible. Approximately 15% bodyfat.

Here's a picture of Railz in the Hard state:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attach...postid=1045047

3. Cut = More muscle separation appears particularly in the chest and back, outline of the abs begins to appear slightly. Approximate bodyfat level = 12%

Here's are 2 examples of Abdominator in the Cut state:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attach...postid=1705834
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attach...postid=1705878

4. Defined = Muscle separations get deeper in the arms, chest, legs and back, and abs appear when flexed. Approx. bodyfat level = 10%

Here's an example of Abdominator in the Defined state:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attach...postid=2117293

5. Ripped = Abs are clearly visible all the time, vascularity in arms is prominent, chest and back separation is obvious, and face is starting to appear more angular. Condition can be held indefinitely. Approximate bodyfat level = 7-9%

Here are some examples of the Ripped state:

Railz: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attach...postid=1371361

Abdominator: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attach...postid=2075745

6. Shredded = Striations appear in large muscle groups when they are flexed. You look small in clothes, but look fantastic when you're not. Vascularity appears in lower abdomen and in the legs. Condition can be held for several days with careful dieting. Competitive bodybuilders often aim for this state for competition day. Approximate bodyfat level = 5-7%

Here are some example of the Shredded state:

ShaneG85: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attach...postid=1878949

Freaker: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attach...&postid=470182

Abdominator: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attach...postid=2168597

7. Sliced = Muscles and tendons begin to appear in the face when chewing, striations appear everywhere and vascularity appears everywhere. Bodyfat levels are close to 3% and subcutaneous water levels are near 0. Condition can only be held for a few hours at a time. Not a healthy condition to stay in due to lower water level.

Here's an example of someone in the Sliced state:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attach...postid=2248100

Anywho, perhaps you can use this guide to determine how far you're progressing. If/when you decide to cut, make sure you give yourself 12-16 weeks to do it. It won't happen overnight, but the results can be striking when you get into the final 2-3 weeks.

Hope this helps.

[fog_hat1981]

Until I can figure out why the links don't work I am just going to post the pictures themselves - they are in the same order as above...

Full House - 20%

Tankus

[fog_hat1981]

Full House - 20%

Crazy Mike

[fog_hat1981]

Hard State - 15%

Railz

[BBAddict]

Originally Posted by fog_hat1981

Until I can figure out why the links don't work

I think it's the "..." that's stuck into the link instead of the actual text.

[fog_hat1981]

Cut State - 12%

Abdominator1

[fog_hat1981]

Cut State - 12%

Abdominator2

[fog_hat1981]

Defined State - 10%

Abdominator

[fog_hat1981]

Ripped State - 7% to 9%

Railz

[fog_hat1981]

Ripped State - 7% to 9%

Abdominator

[fog_hat1981]

Shredded - 5% to 7%

ShaneG85

[fog_hat1981]

Shredded - 5% to 7%

Freaker

[fog_hat1981]

Shredded - 5% to 7%

Abdominator

[fog_hat1981]

Sliced - Roughly 3%

Unknown Poser

[BBAddict]

:bravonew: Good post!

[fog_hat1981]

Originally Posted by BBAddict

I think it's the "..." that's stuck into the link instead of the actual text.

I wish I would have known that sooner ...

It should be fixed now....

[rado]

Good post...But this will also vary on a someones height, body frame, etc....

[fog_hat1981]

Originally Posted by rado

Good post...But this will also vary on a someones height, body frame, etc....

Bodyfat % is exactly that - a measurement of your bodyfat % - not total body composition. What are you referring to?

[rado]

Originally Posted by fog_hat1981

Bodyfat % is exactly that - a measurement of your bodyfat % - not total body composition. What are you referring to?

I'm saying that someone who's 5'8" and someone who is 5'2" and have same BF%...Well the shorter person will look more defined and much bigger than the taller one....

[BBAddict]

Originally Posted by rado

I'm saying that someone who's 5'8" and someone who is 5'2" and have same BF%...Well the shorter person will look more defined and much bigger than the taller one....

Not true--it's a percent, not an absolute quantity of fat. Your argument would hold true if you were talking about absolutes. Different weights at different weights will correspond to looking bigger but a percent will hold true for any height--and mass for that matter.

[fog_hat1981]

Originally Posted by BBAddict

Not true--it's a percent, not an absolute quantity of fat. Your argument would hold true if you were talking about absolutes. Different weights at different weights will correspond to looking bigger but a percent will hold true for any height--and mass for that matter.

I concur ...

[ROCKILLER]

Thanks, this is really helpful

Doesnt the first guy in the shredded category look like a photoshop? The head looks too young and the facial expression seems wrong for the body's pose

[Lmg2701]

Originally Posted by BBAddict

Not true--it's a percent, not an absolute quantity of fat. Your argument would hold true if you were talking about absolutes. Different weights at different weights will correspond to looking bigger but a percent will hold true for any height--and mass for that matter.

Exactly....



I'd also like to add that I question some of those pics / %'s