Is "Getting Ripped" Even Healthy? page

[rimam1]

I know getting ripped is an obsession for lots of guys. I can totally understand where it comes from, as I myself am working to get more muscular, but the concept of "getting ripped" sounds like body engineering to fine tune yourself to 8 to 12 percent body fat.

If you get lean naturally from working out and eating correctly, that's cool. It just seems that aiming to get ripped can leave you gaunt and wiry, which I'm guessing is not very good for you.

Maybe I'm wrong?

Raza

[magicmerl]

I think that some people on here are trying to lose weight/gain muscle for essentially cosmetic or vanity reasons.

Functional strength and fitness is important though. That's what I'm shooting for, along with balanced hormones.

[Rojo]

I've never understood six packs. That doesn't seem natural. Why in nature would you have such a thing?

[paleo-bunny]

I think that some people on here are trying to lose weight/gain muscle for essentially cosmetic or vanity reasons.

Functional strength and fitness is important though. That's what I'm shooting for, along with balanced hormones.

+1.

I find muscular people with a normal amount or moderate excess of body fat the most attractive and healthy-looking. This speaks health and vitality, while being relaxed. Lean muscle mass and functional strength and fitness override everything else as far as I am concerned.

[Daemonized]

In defense of the lean, I've had a single digit body fat percentage for a couple years now and I think it's great. I eat plenty of healthy foods and I workout five days a week. I feel great and my lifestyle works for me. I'm not saying that you everyone needs to be super lean but what's unhealthy about it?

[paleo-bunny]

In defense of the lean, I've had a single digit body fat percentage for a couple years now and I think it's great. I eat plenty of healthy foods and I workout five days a week. I feel great and my lifestyle works for me. I'm not saying that you everyone needs to be super lean but what's unhealthy about it?

If your lean mass is higher than average then I would not question that you are healthy. I believe lean mass to be a key indicator of health.

[Gorbag]

I know getting ripped is an obsession for lots of guys. I can totally understand where it comes from, as I myself am working to get more muscular, but the concept of "getting ripped" sounds like body engineering to fine tune yourself to 8 to 12 percent body fat.

If you get lean naturally from working out and eating correctly, that's cool. It just seems that aiming to get ripped can leave you gaunt and wiry, which I'm guessing is not very good for you.

Maybe I'm wrong?

Raza

Being between 8 - 12 % bodyfat for a male or 16 - 14 % for a woman is very healthy IMO. A male would be "ripped" I guess around 5 - 6 % and below, and thats not always healthy, but it may to a certain degree also depend on the person. Right now after finishing 4 weeks of dieting down, I dwell around 8/9 % and I am planning to stay that way...

[Owly]

Um, no, a lot of women stop menstruating at 15% or lower. Most women find body fat below 18-20% is unsustainable (there are outliers of course, like with everything). 15% is competition levels of fat for female fitness models. Many athletic women sit at about 20%.

[paleo-bunny]

I agree with owly, 16-14% for a female is emaciated, weak and very unhealthy. Of course, some weak males like it that way.

[Dirlot]

Ummm I am not sure Owly said week an enunciated, but rather unsustainable and only really achieved at competition levels.

Athletic is 20% and even that is pretty lean.