Body Fat Percentage Guide: Calculation, Measurement & Goals

Determining your optimal body fat percentage is essential for reaching fitness goals. Learn how to measure body fat using calipers or scales and understand the difference between burning fat and carbohydrates.

Strong and power bodybuilder doing exercises with dumbbell

What Is a Good Body Fat Percentage for a Bodybuilder?

Published Jul,18 2017 | By Leigh Reason

Body fat percentage is a number that denotes how much of your body composition is made up of fat. The healthy range is quite different for men and women, and is often very different for bodybuilders. These athletes aim for an extremely low body fat percentage so their muscles are more defined.

Leigh Reason has almost 20 years of journalism experience, editing and writing for publications such as "Movieline," "Live! Magazine," WeddingChannel.com, FYI Living, Healthline.com and Citysearch.com. She has written extensively on fitness and nutrition, tennis, wedding planning and etiquette, cooking, restaurants, parenting, pets and gardening. She holds a Bachelor of Science in English from Skidmore College.