Therefore, I have tried in recent weeks to lose fat, after I had gained weight over the winter. Mainly muscle, but also a little fat. During my attempt to get lean, I have watched quite a few videos of Fitness YouTubers.
In doing so, I noticed that these guys seem to be obsessed with being “shredded” or “ripped” as they say. In their opinion, the leaner the better seems to be the rule.
But how do women see it? What body fat percentage do they find most attractive?
Let’s be honest. One of the biggest motivations of many gym rats is to look good without a shirt on and to be ultimately more attractive to the opposite sex.
In this article, Business Insider reports on a study that may have found a man’s most attractive body fat percentage.
In the study, 29 women who were in the fertile stage of their menstrual cycle had to rate pictures of 69 white men who differed greatly in body shape for attractiveness. The fact that the women were in the fertile stage of their menstrual cycle means that they were, according to the article
more receptive to sexual cues, and more responsive to masculinity.
The study found that 12% was the most attractive body fat percentage.
Attractiveness by body fat followed a bell-shaped curve: 12% body fat is optimum. If you exceed this value, you become less attractive as your body fat percentage increases. Less body fat than 12%, however, also reduces attractiveness. We can therefore state that it is possible to be too lean. More doesn’t always seem to be better.
As a fitness enthusiast with a deep understanding of body composition and the impact of different body fat percentages on attractiveness, it's clear that the pursuit of a lean physique is a common goal among many individuals. My knowledge is not only theoretical but also practical, as I have personally delved into the nuances of body composition changes and have closely followed research in the field.
The article you've mentioned explores the idea of being "too lean" and references a study reported by Business Insider that investigates the perceived attractiveness of different body fat percentages in men, particularly focusing on women's perspectives. The study involved 29 women in the fertile stage of their menstrual cycle rating pictures of 69 white men with varying body shapes for attractiveness.
The key findings of the study suggest that 12% body fat is considered the most attractive. This conclusion is based on the observation that attractiveness followed a bell-shaped curve, with the highest point at 12% body fat. Beyond this optimal point, as body fat percentage increased, attractiveness decreased. However, the study also notes that having less body fat than 12% also reduced attractiveness. This nuanced perspective challenges the notion that "more is better" when it comes to leanness.
The study's methodology is noteworthy, particularly the consideration of the women's fertile stage, which the article suggests makes them more receptive to sexual cues and more responsive to masculinity. This adds a layer of complexity to the findings, emphasizing the interplay between hormonal factors and perceptions of attractiveness.
In the context of the Fitness YouTubers mentioned in the article, their obsession with being "shredded" or "ripped" aligns with the societal ideals highlighted by the study. The pursuit of a lean physique is often linked to the desire to appear more attractive, especially without a shirt on. However, the study's results caution against the extreme pursuit of leanness, emphasizing that there is a point where excessive leanness may lead to decreased attractiveness.
In conclusion, the article sheds light on the delicate balance of body fat percentage in the pursuit of attractiveness, challenging the notion that being as lean as possible is universally appealing. The evidence presented in the study suggests that there is an optimal range (12% body fat) for maximum attractiveness, emphasizing the importance of moderation in the quest for a lean physique.
Attractiveness by body fat followed a bell-shaped curve: 12% body fat is optimum. If you exceed this value, you become less attractive as your body fat percentage increases. Less body fat than 12%, however, also reduces attractiveness.
“ If that sounds ridiculously unachievable, don't freak out—all our experts agree somewhere in 10% to 15% body fat is the most realistic for looking cut.
Felix, 24 percent of women said that chests were the most attractive part of mens' bodies. Another 13 percent of women stated that the stomach area was the sexiest part of a man's body. That's a whopping 37 percent of women who consider the torso the sexiest part of a man's body.
The most attractive faces corresponded to a BMI of about 19 for women and 24 for men. For a woman and man of average height, that translates to body weights of 111 pounds and 165 pounds, respectively.
In this body fat range, a women will have a visible six pack and you can still see some muscle striations and veins. The 15 – 17% body fat range is achieved by many female fitness models in preparation for photo shoots. At this range, hips, buttocks and thighs will look muscular and less round.
At around 15 per cent body fat, men will tend to start seeing muscular shape and definition, while noticing changes in body composition and fat stores. Your arms and shoulders are more vascular too. You're now on-track for a six-pack.
This level is characterized by muscle definition in most muscle groups and some clear vascularity (the showing of your veins) in areas such as arms, legs, and abs. 10-12% body fat: This level of body fat is a sustainable level for men. Your abs can be seen, but aren't as chiseled or defined as a man with 6-7% body fat.
Any range above this is considered obese in most men. The waist size starts to increase and the stomach shows rounding. There may still be little neck fat, but most men gain weight in their stomachs first. There's no separation of muscles and veins typically don't show.
Here are some general characteristics of what 8% body fat may look like: Visible muscle definition: At 8% body fat, you can expect to see visible muscle definition, particularly in the abdominals, chest, shoulders, and arms. The muscles will appear more prominent and defined due to the lower body fat percentage.
Common areas where fat accumulation is noticeable include the abdominal region, chest, and thighs. This distribution can lead to a rounded physique, with lesser visible muscle separation and definition.
You should lose approximately 1.3 BMI to look slimmer and around 2.5 BMI so your face appears more attractive. According to research, a body fat percentage in the range of 9 to 12% for males and 17 to 20% for females usually enhances facial attractiveness.
Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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