The "ideal" body fat percentage

We hear about body fat percentage all the time, yet we rarely give much thought to what percentage we should be shooting for. Granted, we know that the higher the number, the worse off we'll be. And, conversely, having too low of a body fat percentage can also be unhealthy, as it can compromise essential fat stores that surround and protect our organs.

But that knowledge doesn't do much in the way of determining what body fat percentage is ideal. Well, for one thing, that could be because an ideal is very difficult to determine. Everyone's body is different, just as everyone's fitness goals vary across the board. So, what may be "ideal" for one person may be too big, too small, too heavy, too light, etc. for someone else. Were not much closer to finding an answer, are we?

The best we can do is to make an assumption. Not the best of starts, I know, but it has to be done (or else I'll end up dancing around this question forever). My assumption is as follows: If most people could pick a physique they would like to have, it would be similar to those of the men and women who appear on the cover of magazines like Men's Health and Women's Health. Am I wrong in this assumption? That's very possible. But I sense that most people would prefer to be lean and healthy looking over extremely muscular or noticeably paunchy. So, with that all said and grossly overdone, the "ideal" body fat percentage (that is, the body fat percentage of most fitness models) is around nine percent. At that percentage, your abs will become very visible, as will the definition in most of your muscles. Again, is this what you are shooting for? Maybe, maybe not. But if it is, know that this is what it will take to achieve your fitness goals.