Comparison of Body-Fat Percentages

Barry Sears’s Bestseller, Enter the Zone, states that “your percentage of body fat is the most important measurement you have to determine your progress toward physical fitness” (1995:263). Below is Sears’s list of body-fat percentages for elite athletes that will allow you to put your percent of body fat into a better perspective. It is important to note that males will always have a lower percent of body fat than females and the references listed below are world-class or professional athletes.

Reference Group –Males                                                             Percent Body Fat

Gymnasts, Wrestlers                                                                                                4

Body Builders                                                                                                             5

Basketball Centers                                                                                                    7

Cross-Country Skiers, Triathletes                                                                      8

Racquetball Players                                                                                                 9

Basketball Forwards, Soccer Players                                                                10

Swimmers                                                                                                                     10

Distance Runners, Football Defensive Backs                                                 11

Basketball Guards, Football Linebackers                                                        12

Football Offensive Backs                                                                                        13

Power Lifters, Shot Putters, Discus Throwers                                              17

Ideal Male                                                                                                                15

Average American Male                                                                               23

Reference Group—Females                    Percent Body Fat

Gymnasts                                                                                                                    14

Racquetball Players                                                                                                15

Aerobic-Dancer Instructors                                                                                17

Cross-Country Skiers                                                                                              18

Swimmers                                                                                                                    19

Tennis Players, Alpine Skiers                                                                              20

Track and Field, Basketball and Volleyball Players                                    21

Average Anorexic Patient                                                                                     10

Ideal Female                                                                                                            22

Average American Female                                                                            32