Ideal Body Fat % for tournament players.

[J011yroger]

Is there any reason to carry a bit of bodyfat more than the healthy mimimum?

I really hate having any excess fat on me, and plan to knock off the 5lb or so I am carrying to bring me to what I consider the healthy minimum. Just wanted to make sure there was no reason that I shouldn't.

J

[J011yroger]

Just to throw a number out there, I feel good at around I guess 7-8%

J

[WBF]

I would say enough to be healthy, but definately very low. Whenever I have extra baggage I feel like Lurch stumbling about the court. Not sure what numbers mean what though

[ThePro101]

6% (I just "through a number out there")

[Rickson]

Originally Posted by J011yroger

Is there any reason to carry a bit of bodyfat more than the healthy mimimum?

I really hate having any excess fat on me, and plan to knock off the 5lb or so I am carrying to bring me to what I consider the healthy minimum. Just wanted to make sure there was no reason that I shouldn't.

J

You'd be surprised at how low pro bodybuilders get their bodyfat at the actual shows. You don't need to carry around much bf at all. What's your height and weight?

[soyizgood]

I'm on or below 6% body fat. Ever since I bought that weight scale, I check my body fat 2-3 times a week at work just to make sure I'm in shape.

[Rickson]

Originally Posted by soyizgood

I'm on or below 6% body fat. Ever since I bought that weight scale, I check my body fat 2-3 times a week at work just to make sure I'm in shape.

Soy, you do know those scales are far from accurate, don't you? If you really want to get your bf checked, go to a facility where they have underwater weighing. You literally get weighed underwater so you have to let out as much air as you can. If you weigh 140 lbs. on land and weigh 125 lbs. underwater, you're carrying 15 lbs. of bodyfat. This is considered the most accurate bf test.

[hewittfan3]

I have 12% body fat and i think thats pretty good. I couldnt imagine being much skinnier. I would definitely not want to be below 10%

[J011yroger]

Originally Posted by Rickson

You'd be surprised at how low pro bodybuilders get their bodyfat at the actual shows. You don't need to carry around much bf at all. What's your height and weight?

6'3" 165-170

J

[J011yroger]

Originally Posted by soyizgood

I'm on or below 6% body fat. Ever since I bought that weight scale, I check my body fat 2-3 times a week at work just to make sure I'm in shape.

Those scales are really inaccurate, according to them I am at like -3%

J

[Rickson]

Originally Posted by J011yroger

6'3" 165-170

J

You don't need to drop any bodyweight, but you can still lower your bf by "tightening up". I weighed 180 and started lifting vigorously. My bw didn't change at all, but my pants got loose on me. The weight stayed the same, but my bf went down and that's what I wanted. Maybe I can trade you workout tips for those second serve tips.

[J011yroger]

Working with an ATP tour fitness trainer and spending a solid 10 hours a week in the gym. So I have that part covered.

Just wondering what the ideal BF% for a serious tourney player was since I was worried that what I consider ideal would be a little low from a performance stand point.

J

[Moz]

Apparently 3% is required for healthy brain function. Any extra is useless in terms of performance. My best has been 4% and I felt fantastic, although I looked like some dental floss.

You've got some work to do fatty!!

[WBF]

Originally Posted by J011yroger

Working with an ATP tour fitness trainer and spending a solid 10 hours a week in the gym. So I have that part covered.

Just wondering what the ideal BF% for a serious tourney player was since I was worried that what I consider ideal would be a little low from a performance stand point.

J

j0lly: At the tournament we both played in when most of the good players took their shirts off on court it was... Intimidating. I didn't see any fat. At all. I used the locker room

But... crap. I would imagine you are the same way if you're 6'3" and 165-170... I'm a good 185-190 at 6'. Eek!

[J011yroger]

Originally Posted by Moz

Apparently 3% is required for healthy brain function. Any extra is useless in terms of performance. My best has been 4% and I felt fantastic, although I looked like some dental floss.

You've got some work to do fatty!!

haha, the actual % is a guess.

I can now just start to see vascularity in abdomen, and striation in delts.

I was probably around 4% just before I started playing again. 6'3" 155lbs, felt awesome, and that is the % I want to be at again, just with a little more muscle, maybe 165-170lb 5-6% for something maintainable.

Wont need to actually work at it, as soon as the outdoor season comes and I can put in 20 hours a week on court. It is just a question of how much to eat.

Only think I was concerned about was that I would need a bit of fat for playing 2 matches per day several days in a row.

But if I am constantly eating little bits throughout the day putting in as much as I put out (Wait! That doesn't sound right!) then I am good right?

Come summertime I will be beating those over 30 and under 18 girls off with a stick.

J

[J011yroger]

Originally Posted by WBF

j0lly: At the tournament we both played in when most of the good players took their shirts off on court it was... Intimidating. I didn't see any fat. At all. I used the locker room

But... crap. I would imagine you are the same way if you're 6'3" and 165-170... I'm a good 185-190 at 6'. Eek!

I posted pics in the your picture section.

Shirtless ones will have to wait until the summer, because the glare from my whiteness would destroy the sensor in my digital camera.

J

[Moz]

Originally Posted by J011yroger

haha, the actual % is a guess.

I can now just start to see vascularity in abdomen, and striation in delts.

I was probably around 4% just before I started playing again. 6'3" 155lbs, felt awesome, and that is the % I want to be at again, just with a little more muscle, maybe 165-170lb 5-6% for something maintainable.

Wont need to actually work at it, as soon as the outdoor season comes and I can put in 20 hours a week on court. It is just a question of how much to eat.

Only think I was concerned about was that I would need a bit of fat for playing 2 matches per day several days in a row.

But if I am constantly eating little bits throughout the day putting in as much as I put out (Wait! That doesn't sound right!) then I am good right?

Come summertime I will be beating those over 30 and under 18 girls off with a stick.

J

Ha ha, watch out for the over 30's! I had a little bit of trouble with some over 70's last year - bloody nymphos at that age.

The only time you are likely to start needing fat for energy is running a marathon. I believe your body will burn carbs by preference and is only able to switch to fat with lower intensity aerobic exercise. You will easily be able to keep the carbs topped up in tennis.

In short - don't worry about low body fat leading to lower performance, but do worry about older spinsters.

[Rickson]

Can you give us a breakdown of your diet, Jo11y? This is a good way to evaluate. Try to throw in your portion size and calorie count if you know.

[J011yroger]

Originally Posted by Moz

Ha ha, watch out for the over 30's! I had a little bit of trouble with some over 70's last year - bloody nymphos at that age.

The only time you are likely to start needing fat for energy is running a marathon. I believe your body will burn carbs by preference and is only able to switch to fat with lower intensity aerobic exercise. You will easily be able to keep the carbs topped up in tennis.

In short - don't worry about low body fat leading to lower performance, but do worry about older spinsters.

Life of a tennis player. Nobody in my age group wants anything to do with me, and everyone above and below I can't keep away from.

J

[J011yroger]

Originally Posted by Rickson

Can you give us a breakdown of your diet, Jo11y? This is a good way to evaluate. Try to throw in your portion size and calorie count if you know.

I eat constantly from sunup to sundown. Almost no white flour, a small amount of rye or wheat bread or whole grain cereal. Tons of fruit and nuts, vegetables, and lean protien.

Once a week I will have a couple slices of pizza or desert or something like that.

I have had ummm 3 or 4 beers since new years day.

I eat A LOT but I burn a lot.

J