You Might Be Fatter Than You Think! How To Tell Body Fat Percentage ACCURATELY 

Having a body wasn't ideal, let alone body fat. I am now a celestial being.

As someone who used to be fat and is currently at the "Are those abs?" phase, I can assure anyone struggling with fat loss that the emotional rollercoaster of seeing aesthetic changes in the body is well worth it; keep pushing.

Im a guy and used to be anorexic. Im up to 140lbs around 10% body fat. Im still trying to gain weight, but im very happy with my progress. Your channel has been a big help.

The Athlean X video title was a little bit of click bait. In the actual video, he talks about how difficult and unrealistic it is to maintain that body fat percentage for most people, and generally lets folks know that 10-15% is a much more realistic goal for most people. His videos are often very realistic and reasonable

You forgot about Coach Greg’s laser eyes being ranked slightly below the MRI but definitely ahead of the DEXA scan

As a woman, I got down to about 18% body fat and enjoyed my body there. Then I tried getting pregnant. For 10 months I could not get pregnant. Then I allowed myself to gain 3 lbs and got pregnant instantly. This experience taught me how much fat I needed for healthy hormone balance. For me, 15-20% wasn’t ideal, so I try to live in the 20-22% body fat range. It seems to work well for my long term health.

34% body fat (100kg for 170cm). Decided to stop being fat and live longer (and sexier).

There’s literally no channel at this level. Such great scientific approach to all the posts you’re super awesome thank you.

Came for the thumbnail, came for the thumbnail.

That thumbnail was a pure thirst trap

Dr. Mike, you keep it REAL! This should be required watching for all those suffering from body dysmorphic disorder.

i would say over 95% of people under estimate how much bodyfat they actually carry. Dave Palumbo once said he has a whole lot of clients claiming they are losing leg muscle when they really start to diet. He explains to them that the legs often carry a lot more fat than people think and now you are actually seeing how much real muscle you actually had in your legs.

Dr Mike is an encyclopedia. Even his humour is pretty intelligent. Keep it up doc !

Absolutely loved the video and learned plenty. I really wanted a video from Dr. Mike on this topic so this is quite amazing. Thank you! 💪👍🙏

Jeff from AthleanX said 6% is ideal for him, he's consistent and happy at that he did say most people won't be and that's ok, whatever you are comfortable with and can maintain

As someone who used to be 290 pounds, got down to 160 (over many years) and now sitting at 175 and massing, it is so hard to tell my body fat percentage due to loose skin and just general body shape from being fat back in the day. Body dysmorphia to the next level

Your entire channel has prevented me from forgetting what I learned during my kinesiology degree lol. Thanks for all you do, Dr. Mike.

61yrs old. Started working out again in June 2023 203lbs and 32% body fat. Fast forward to Sept 2023 177lbs and 20% body fat. Size 38 jeans to 36 jeans a little lose. 3x week full body workout with 4 sets/15/10etc reps. Trying to eat right and I have some fat in the chest and sides but working on that now that I dropped weight. Now while maintaining my workout listed above, I have incorporated Tuesday/Thursday (started Oct 3rd 2023) to focus on my cardio and focus more on abdominal core training. Thinking about next month (November) in helping get the fat off, to try to do at least 15min at the end of each workout session. Old school from the 70's era of lifting and cardio wasn't a thing back then as far as I remember. Not a big frame (5' 10"), but want to get cut up just to see if I can do it again. So my goal from October 2023-December 2023 is to get the fat off and somewhat cut up to move into the new year with about 15-12% body fat hopefully so we will see. I was thinking (and I don't know) that if I drop a little more, I could get rid of some fat and then I can maybe bulk up a little and keep it off but at a higher weight.??, that is where I'm wanting to achieve. A lot of things have changed seems like (knowledge) from the old era of lifting but I'm trying, not sure I'm doing it 100% right, but I'm feeling great and really motivated as you have seen above. Great video and really appreciate your videos etc. Supplements: (Body Force Super Advanced) Whey Isloate 2 scoops (one before and one after workout) and one late in the evening, HMB 1kmg per tablet x2 daily, Legion Pulse pre-workout (usually one scoop unless I need two that day), Creatine 2 pills before and two after workout (KRE-Alkalyne by EFXsports).

Ifbb pro womens physique here- I've never done a dexa or any other fat test, but the eyeball test by my coach and a judge said I was around 6%. I looked like death. My face was scary. My eyes looked crazy. It paid off, I guess, got 4th place in my last competiton, only my 3rd pro show. I was the smallest on stage, but my shape and conditioning put me in the top 5 against seasoned Olympians. Hoping next year I will qualify for olympia with a first place. My body is most comfortable at around 12-15%- I look good, I feel good.

Damn, I always tended to Overestimate my body fat%. All throughout my fitness journey, I'd always been pretty lean, but after my most recent massing phase, I thought that I'd hit at least 20%, but all of the information presented here indicates the 10-15% range. Honestly, that made me really happy. I cannot stand excess fat on my body, it makes me feel awful and lethargic, so I always went on feel for when to stop a bulk, but looking back, that was most likely because I was simply eating too much immediately after the diet without doing a maintenance phase. Now I'm more aware of my limits and boundaries for subsequent mass gaining phases. This is super helpful information, thanks Dr. Mike!

I love this channel, its done so smart and well, ive been training for about 6 years, and i took a 3 year gap due to a bad shoulder injury (ego lifting) and then i was too embarresed to lift low weights once i recovered, so i didnt workout or diet for 3 years and lost everything, i am now starting my 5th week of gyming 6x a week and dieting really well and enjoying life again, this channel has aided me with returning to the gym confidently, thank you

The way he described being able to see Chicago from a distance was perfect and relatable for me 😂😂 I'm at around 17% body fat and you can kinda start to see my upper abs, he nailed the description

20:00 - just to clear this up as I'm familiar with the Athlean X video, but it was debunking some myths about body fat and not advocating for a body fat that low. Jeff/Athlean X talks about how body fat percentage is dependent on you, your health, your preference, your ability to maintain it, or your sport (if applicable), with there obviously being healthier ranges to exist in than others. The main point being that there's no ideal "low" body fat for anyone, but the key is health and consistency.

I got a DEXA this past weekend and came in at 19%. My arms were around 15%, trunk 21%, and legs 18%. I store a lot of my fat in my lower back and glutes, so my limbs look lean in gym clothes. I have some separation in my quads, separation in my upper torso, visible upper abs, but my low back is just a blur. I'm roughly 50/50 android to gynoid storage. I asked all my knowledgeable gym friends what they estimated I was, and everyone said 14-15%.

Nice presentation, really interesting content, it's nice that you added your personal thought's on some of it as well.

One of the best videos you've done so far dr.

My hubby and I have a blast watching your commentaries. Thank god that the first one I found was on V-Shred, whew saved me a lot of grief. Hubby gets obsessive when he focuses on a new hobby. He was up until midnight last night putting an assisted DIP machine together last night and OMG he loves it, on your recommendations; and now we are looking for a squat machine. Just go easy on telling him how women have that extra one or two in the tank, he increased my weights and reps on me the other day anyhow Thank you for being you and putting good information out there for us Geriatric "60ish" old guys/gals. PS: He has a man crush on Jason Momoa too. I can recite Aqua Man in my sleep. :)

How the hell did that thumbnail make it past the RU-vid police 😆

Super super helpful. Thank you for taking the time to make this video for us!

This episode of Dr. Mike drops knowledge was really inspirational. I've never had abs. More like the La Croix version of abs. And understanding the concepts shared in this episode is a freaking serious inspiration to what's on the horizon. I'm more excited than i have been in the past.

AthleanX said that 6% is something that he wouldn't recommend to everyone and then said 10% is probably the best for the aesthetics. He also said there is no a single body fat percentage that works for everyone.

This is a Great video! I am nearly 62, but a Lifetime lifter/competitor , with competition experience, which is constantly in your head when you're no in that world any longer! I just did a 12wk transformation challenge, which for me turned into 9lbs and 9.25"lost . What a difference, and this video was so helpful to me, being female. Thanks so much for your humor, it's hilarious, as well as your advice and hard work! I love your videos.

Love the video. As always, excellent content. I will mention that in the Athlean-X video the thumbnail is a bit different than the content. He talks about that low of body fat not being for everyone and talks about the importance of finding your own comfortable set point.

This was an amazing video and thank you so much. Have a great day sir 🇺🇲👊🏽💪🏽

Dr. Mike man thank you for all that you do in terms of this free content for us. I've legit gotten like 90% of my diet and training knowledge from the Renaissance Periodization youtube channel and the rest from Greg Doucette LOL. Loved that little talk at the end there about getting to a bf percentage where you are simply just "happy". I've gotten sub 10 before and tbh it's nothing more than overrated, nobody really cares other than you at that level of leanness. Best of luck to anyone on their weight loss journey, the results take time but as long as you're happy it's worth it.

As a trainer and coach I love these videos have learned a ton from watching your videos, but as an Endurance athlete it's always interesting to me to watch these because they are all within the lens of either bodybuilding or weight lifting, I feel like its super important to make the point that what a body builder looks like at 5% body fat and what a runner or cyclist looks like at 5% body fat is actually quite different, sure you have the veins but the striations are not nearly as crazy because your muscles are much smaller than someone who does resistance training everyday.

Hands down best fitness stuff on RU-vid thanks both to the quality and depth of information AND the glorious comedy stylings of Dr. Mike; can't get enough

Very good video, puts bodyfat into great context, makes it far easier to understand what those bodyfat levels actually look like.

LMAO my favorite opening so far! You better HOPE we meet in person Mike. Keep up the great work my friend!

First, thanks Mike for this video, it’s important to realistically know how much shit we have in our bodies, cuz google photos and videos usually shows different examples, specially percentages under 20%-15%

Another great video. Love the commentary and all your fantasies/fetishes. Makes you a real down to earth guy. Thank you for the great information.

Also JM was a person I confided in when my wife was doing her 1st show during medical residency- my point I don’t follow lots of folks - John was my dude. I do enjoy your content- so that’s my compliment to sir!!! Carry on brother! Thk you.

Mike, you are a trip. I will make sure I'm not stone when I watch your program.

Thank you for shining a light on these topics. The last couple of years this topic has gone completely off the rails. And please never change your good old dry humour Dr Mike!

Very interesting to see and hear this and how much it varies between people. Im in the 20-25% but have clear seperation in my delts, triceps and traps. Can see muscles throughout my upper back and can see lats beginning to pop through but have love handles for days still. Only just began lifting a few months ago. Down from 110kgs to 83.5. Weight loss is slowing down but I'm beginning to add a fair bit more carbs back into the diet so my fatigue isn't destroying my sleep and lifting is actually enjoyable.

great usable and quick analysis in all of your videos, nice!

I'm definitely feeling this guy. Love your personality. ❤

Am 60 years old and have been lifting for decades now; this is one of the best body fat percentage visual signs explanation and delivery I've seen. Thank you, great video!!

Great video Dr Mike! Speaking from experience above about 19,000 ft totally feels like garbage but you can acclimate to it and be alright for a pretty long time. Also thanks for the advice you gave on the livestream last year on periodizing cardio/weights. So you know, I didn't get kidnapped climbing Kilimanjaro, managed to summit and the nat geo documentary is cancelled haha.

I love how you explain interesting and helpful details in kind ways

First time seeing this channel and man that was an interesting opening haha. Appreciate all the detailed descriptions you provide with the pictures. I think I am in the 15%-17% BF range, being tall it's difficult to tell, but I am getting my first Dexascan on Monday so I will know for sure.

I've just spent 3 months implementing stuff i've learned from this channel in a weight loss phase. Dropped from 193 to 173lb. For the first time in over 10 years i've got visible abs, still a little chub, i'd guess i'm somewhere between 13 and 15%. Two things: yes, you're probably fatter than you think (when i started i was like "oh i'll be lean at 180" - yeah, no), and weight loss and changes will come in phases, especially the further into the diet you get - once i got under 180 I might go 5-6 days with no weight loss, then drop 1.5lb in 2 days and keep it off. Same goes for visual changes: "wow i look like crap" "wow i look great!" "wow i look like crap" literally every couple of weeks. Just keep going. If the gym is going well and the weight is moving down, it's happening. And huge thanks to Dr Mike and the gang for the content they put out. Absolutely the best i've ever managed to implement a strategy and get the result i wanted, and it's 100% due to the content i've watched on this channel.

Thanks for this video. It's really hard for me to tell where I'm at. My upper body is very lean (especially my back) and people who see me in a sports bra, immediately know I workout. I have the outer shape of my abs pretty visible too but my lower body is much "softer" so I don't know if I'm between 15-20 or 20-25.

Your analogy of the 5% and under male and female bodybuilders in a room together had me in fits! As Whitney would say: “it ain’t right, but it’s ok”!

Very respectful video. Hardly ever see stuff like this these days!

Great Channel "Dr Mike" we'll continue to watch faithfully🧐

Hello dr Mike love watching your video could you please make a video on how to grow the lats only with dumbbells

❤Been hoping for a video about this! Thank you Dr.Mike😊

I'm actually happy you said you like it when there is a pinch from bras and such. It's something I'm super insecure about and I had no idea it was okay to some people :)

Very interesting, makes me think that maybe I'm a bit lower than I thought, possibly around the 15% mark which makes me happy! It's hard for me to gauge it well because I used to be fat so now my lower stomach is kinda loose, not sure if it's just skin or also fat still. In decent light I have the top 2 rows of abs though and very obvious separation in most areas, serratus visible, bicep veins without a pump etc. Posture makes so much difference too it's insane. If I sit down with my shirt off and let myself relax, I look down and it feels like I'm obese again, stand up straight and I look fairy well in shape... crazy.

I was 500 pounds, don't know what % body fat that was. So far I've lost over 30% of that, dropped over 160 pounds. When I first started losing it was just diet, I couldn't move enough to even exercise. Once I could move I started weight lifting, doing body recomposition. Just had a scan, I was 338 pounds this morning, 40% body fat. So, my next goal is lose another 120-130 pounds and see what I scan at while trying to maintain or gain as much muscle as possible, but with fat loss as the primary focus. This channel has helped a lot. I've had consistent measurable strength increases every week for the last few months. It was almost two years to lose 160 pounds, it will probably be another two years to lose the next 120 while building muscle.

This was very helpful. Thank you Mike!

Have learned a lot from your videos and athlenx. The AthlenX video about 6% body fat pretty much mirrors the info here. You guys both put out the new style thumbnails... looks like the click bait didn't work just the anger at titles lol. In one of his, how lean should you be, videos he even calls himself Skeletor because of what you are talking about at the lower body fat.

This is a timely video for me. I've just finished an 8 week cut losing 15lbs from 230 -> 215. Based on this guide, I'm probably like 18% - 21% bodyfat, so 195 might put me at a pretty lean place for just walkin around

Somehow this is the most motivating weight loss video, thanks Mike

Thanks for another video doc !

Love Mike, love this channel! You are a God send. I think a collaboration with you and Jeff Cavalier at Athlean-X would be great. You and him both talk about specifics and in context to each of your areas of expertise. Jeff uses click bate, and that video you reference he answers a comment that inspires the topic and video title. Thanks for the great content and the comedy that always has me laughing 🤣...

I gotta stick up for Mr. Cavalier. He never said you should be 6%. He's doesn't live at 6%. In that video, he brought up various percentages that would be ideal depending on your particular goal(s). The biggest takeaway was being at the body fat percentage that feels best for you. To stay at the lowest, but healthiest but comfortable, percentage that you can. It has to be at a level you can live with forever.

Great stuff

I like the way you went about saying alot of things that could have landed you in the pit of fire , great video!

I know people dream of hitting low % body fat but it's not all great. I was around 5% while training for the SF and had to eat all day just to fatten up as I couldn't regulate my core temperature properly sub 12%. If we were in the surf, I would start freezing immediately no matter what I did to stay warm. 12% was about the limit of normal functioning for me.

Important to note that if you lose a really significant amount of weight (like 100+ lbs) your skin may not retract back much. I was 340 and got down to 190, had a dexa at 195 and it said i was 10.1% fat. I had no real ab definition, but lots of vascularity. I had spent like 5 months trying to break into the low 180's but everytime i did i felt like i was dying.

Found this channel and it’s been a godsend. Proud user of the hypertrophy and the diet app. Just got a body scan done and I’m stoked about it. What would one have to do to have it reviewed and get some feedback? Thanks for the gainz Dr. Mike

Mike you are the best, the very best at this.

Great video. Im curious, what do bodyfat percentages look like on people that don't have a lot of muscle mass? For example, a guy who is skinny fat, very sedentary, hasnt entered a gym in his life. If he just doesnt eat a lot, are you going to be able to see muscle separation at 18% bf? What about the teenager with an 8 pack who just shot up to 6'2" and still weighs 140 lbs? When you see an emaciated person in a photograph of people suffering through a famine, what level of body fat do they typically have? I do think that the RP audience skews heavily towards being jacked, so i think the video serves the purpose it set out to do.

Great video! Question...how mich dies hydration factor into appearance? For instance, I imagine 10% well-hydrated looks FAR different than 10% dehydrated... So, still at 10%, but far different in appearance.

Thanks, Doc. You're an invaluable resource.

Love the VShred ad for fat loss supplements on a RP video. Always good for a laugh.

I lost a lot of weight a few years ago and even then there were significant differences between my legs (I normally have veins and muscle separation even on my shins while being on the heavier side - genetics, I guess) and my mid-section (even at my lowest weight I didn't have much abs showing up). At some point I decided that the sacrifices of the caloric deficit just to have a slightly flatter belly weren't worth it, the belly fat is the last one to go and the first one to come back so be it, I lift kettlebells alone in my room with my shirt on and nobody cares.

The hard part is judging body fat after losing 100 pounds. Can see detail in forearms and lower legs like 6%, arms and shoulders details with quad and hamstring separation like 11%, upper and middle back like 12% and a midsection with overhang like 29%. I am between 12% and 30% lol.

Very good and informative video. Thanks a lot, I have learned a lot

Great video as always!

Thumbnail triggered my covenant eyes 👀👀

Dr Mike leaning into the weird humour harder than last time

I really love your personality! you are funny! :D would love to see you and Jonni Shrieve collaborate on the diet and training videos!

Love your videos, the way of your presentation, the knowledge you are gifting us, and the jokes (oh the jokes, can't get enough of your jokes 😉). Please though, don't judge a fellow colleague (Athlean X) simply due to the click-bait title of the video (he is not actually saying that 6% is ideal for men), have a look at the video (and some more from him). You might even be surprised how much you guys agree on what you are saying on many topics. It would even be a gift to us all if you and Jeff sit down and do a nice long video (or a series of collaboration videos), where you discuss the various topics. I am just a guy who likes to exercise for health and because I enjoy it, and in my humble opinion you and Jeff are two of the most respectable fitness instructors and scientists out there in RU-vid, always basing your suggestions on science, experience, and logic/realism.

Great video. Really like having some graphics as I have no imagination. Really useful as I’ve never really known what bf% I am. Great that you talked about women, especially the effect bf% have on menstrual cycles. I’d like to hear you talk about menopause/ and lifting as a lot of +40 women lift bc we’ve been told that it helps with bone density & balance going into menopause & older age. Watching our mothers having constant falls is no fun. Didn’t actually intend watching this but as always, extremely informative and funny too! Great work. Ooh! And I really loved the biatch Athlean-x chat!! 🤭😂

I love to train but i do it mostly for overall size and strength. Ive been pretty lean before at probably close to 12% but i like the way i look (and FEEL) alot more in the 20% range. I have arm veins visible and hints of abs. Its just the place im most comfortable.

I would be so interested to get a dexa scan! My scale says I’m 29% fat, but I have great muscle shape at this point. I have delt, tricep and bicep separations and some veins that pop out at this point, and 2quad separations, obvious muscle separation in my back. I’m BEGINNING to see abs peek through and I’ve almost lost the lower belly dip. I’ve lost 40lbs the past year. And I lift weights 4-5 days a week. It’s amazing what our body gives us when we put in the work! I love it!

😂 I had to stop the video I was laughing so hard! You could seriously be a comedian! You got me, I'll subscribe

Holy fuck, pregnant Dr. Mike 😂❤

Friendly reminder that body fat distribution is ducking weird. I’m on a cut currently and just discovered I have feathered triceps despite my abs still being pretty lackluster. My delts started getting striated above 20% body fat, and my quads and hamstrings are always pretty visible and separated even when above 20. Basically, you might spend years chasing sexy abs and end up finding feathered triceps instead, but fortunately that’s okay because feathered triceps are badass

Thank you for such valuable information

This is by far one of the most informative and insightful videos from this channel I have watched so far, the visual cues guidelines are a great way to gauge progress, and Dr. Mike's humor is the cherry on top.

I’m 6’0”, 155 lbs, 10.5% body fat. I try to stay around these figures year round. I love to run 5ks, lift weights, and be outside. Numbers, times, one rep maxes don’t matter in the end. Just have fun and be active!

I need those thumbnails pics

That was inciteful and hilarious at times, thank you!

Really enjoy your video's. Thank you

I lost 200 pounds and then started lifting six months ago. I am in the belly overhang but veiny calves arms separated back and delts. Substantial weight loss really affects this but great video overall!

I'm not defending Athlean X here, but that 6% body fat thing is just the thumbnail for clickbait. In the video he goes into detail about what different body fat percentages look like and lands on around 15% being the ideal for males who aren't competitive body builders. Jeff loves his clickbait thumbnails.