IRON TANKS
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Stemming off trent's thread, I'm curious to know what people's thoughts are on this. I'm not that knowledgeable about cutting up or staying lean, as I've never really pushed it before, so want to hear from others.
So what is the lowest bf % that you can naturally stay at year round? And is it healthy to do so? Obviously bodybuilder levels of bodyfat is unhealthy 3-5%, but I would have thought 6-8% would be healthy. ie Still shredded, but not striated glutes lol.
At the moment, I'd say I'm about 9-11% bf (will get some pics up in the near future), but am doing no cardio and am not dieting particularly strictly. I feel I could comfortably maitain a lower bf if I included some cardio or made my diet more strict. Ideally, I'd like to maintain a 'ripped' build year round, that is if I like how I look when I get there.
I would think genetics would play a big part in this - ie people who are naturally fat may have to 'settle' for say 10% year round, while people who are naturally lean and don't store much fat could probably stay at 5% year round without any problems.
if you're staying 9-11% without having to fuss to much about diet and no cardio, honestly, you're gold.
Out of the hundreds of people I have trained, most of them (some of them amatuer BBers) were working hard to keep 10-12% year round.
For me, if you can stay 11-12% year round it's a good effort. There will be the ebb and flow of when you dip to 8-9 and maybe 13-14+ after a bad holiday.
Anyhow, you're quite right. Genetics and your bodies thermostat will push you to either side, or if you're an incredible meso you'll keep mass and stay lean just by having a wank.
That's a rarity though, most people are either:
Struggling to keep LBM if they don't watch what they do, but leanness isn't the issue
Or
Struggling to maintain leanness, but have no issues keeping and laying down LBM