Body Fat 11.7%

Body fat percentage is the percentage of fat in our body.

A small percentage of fat is essential for our body to function. We need a certain minimal amount of fat to insulate our tissues and organs and to regulate our body temperature.

Fat is also the way our body stores energy. The necessary amount of fat is called essential fat and the minimum percentage for survival is 3 to 5 percents in men.

This is a sustainable level for most men where you should be able to see your abs, but they will likely not be as defined as a man in the 6-7% body fat range.

A body fat percentage of 11.7 is the classic beach body look that most men want and many women love. While not very defined, there is separation between muscles, some muscle striations potentially in the shoulders, or arms, but striations are not showing on every muscle.

Vascularity is typically limited to the arms, with a little possibly on the legs.

11.7% Body Fat Women

Body fat plays a significant role in reproduction. Sex hormones are fat soluble and they are stored in the body’s fat layers. Women that have a low body fat produce a reduced amount of estrogen which can lead to an abnormal menstrual cycle, Amenorrhea, or the lack of a menstrual cycle.

A body fat percentage of 11.7 in a woman is an extremely low body fat level typically attained by female bodybuilders.

Essential fat for women is round 8-10% compared to 2% for men. Why the difference? Women have more fat in breast tissue and the area surrounding the uterus.

This level of body fat is not considered safe, or healthy for women who will be unable to menstruate.

Striations of muscle, separation between muscles, clear vascularity are all noticeable at this level.

Calculate your body fat percentage

Percent body fat is the percentage of fat your body contains.

Exact body fat percentage cannot be precisely determined, but multiple methods are used to estimate it. You can use our body fat calculator to estimate your body fat percentage: