What is Body Fat Percentage?
Body Fat Percentage represents the portion of your body composition made of adipose tissue compared to your lean tissue (muscles, bones, organs, and water). Knowing this metric helps you focus on burning fat rather than simply losing water weight or muscle tissue.
US Navy Circumference Standards
This tool uses the US Navy Circumference method, measuring height, neck, and waist. Standard classifications for healthy body fat levels are as follows:
| Category Description | Male Range (%) | Female Range (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Fat | 2 – 5% | 10 – 13% |
| Athletes | 6 – 13% | 14 – 20% |
| Fitness Ranges | 14 – 17% | 21 – 24% |
| Acceptable Average | 18 – 24% | 25 – 31% |
| Obese Limit | 25% and above | 32% and above |
Tips to Improve Body Composition
To reduce body fat percentage while keeping or adding lean muscle mass, prioritize progressive heavy resistance work coupled with a high-protein diet. Learn more about our Strength & Conditioning Program to optimize muscle tone.