Healthy body fat percentage limits

[Simplex]

I just used a machine here in Japan that gave me a big print out about my body fat, muscle mass, etc, and it said I have 5.5% body fat.

Isn't that INCREDIBLY low? Im 24 years old, 204 cm (6'7 inches) and 93 KG. I just started the gym again but Ive been doing martial arts/hiking/maintaining a healthy lifestyle for ages. And I've always been slim.

If that 5% is bad please let me know!

[drs]

5% is very lean.

It's possible that the machine is off a few points.

[Simplex]

*too* lean?
Should I be trying to eat more than the ridiculous amount I already am?

[drs]

I'd get it checked again before I made any dramatic changes.

Your Body Mass Index is 23-24 so you could very safely gain 10-20 lbs.

[jrwhisky]

Bruce Lee was 3.5% body fat and he was proud of it. Other then personal preference theres no reason you "need" to gain wieght theres no health risk. Its near what olympic athlete percentage.

Hey whats up this is my first post. I've been lifting for nearly two years. Most of my experience is in nutrition. However its hard to find hardcore books on nutrition that have any focus the body composition/needs of a weight lifter so I've come here to expand and share my knowledge.

[drs]

Welcome JrWhisky!

[diamondpete]

Originally Posted by Simplex

Isn't that INCREDIBLY low?

Enviably low. But one thing you will find with the machines is that they are +- about 7%. There are so many factors that affect the readings. (so you actually might be -2% ) If your body fat gets too low, you will start noticing things like impotence. So if you start seeing "signs", then you should worry about it.

In all seriousness, if you are eating healthily, and a balanced diet, I would not worry about it. Try your scale, at different times of the day, and in different conditions, and you will be surprised how much variance there is in the readings.

btw, what MA are you doing?