Ideal Weight & Body Fat

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2007-05-03 2:45 PM


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Subject: Ideal Weight & Body Fat
I know this will obviously be person-specific, but are there any guidelines/suggestions for ideal weight and body fat for doing a full Ironman. I used to play college football, and feel much to bulky to be doing the runs, and just looking for some sort of goal to shoot for...

Thanks!

2007-05-03 2:55 PM
in reply to: #787605

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Subject: RE: Ideal Weight & Body Fat
This will vary from person to person, you will find triathletes of all sizes and shapes. I am 5' 10 and weigh 145 with 6.5 % body fat. With that being said, I did Ironman Florida last year and was past many, many times by athletes who were twice my size. The key in my opinion is building a good base in your training and your body will adjust. Good Luck
2007-05-03 5:48 PM
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Subject: RE: Ideal Weight & Body Fat
I think that 6 to 8% is the thought of correct (what ever that means) range for male endurance athletes. I'm 6'3" and 185lbs at ~7% b/f. Don't over estimate lean body mass, you still have to move it. I'm a lot bigger in the upper body and arms than an elite athlete, but for the 99% of the time I'm not racing I'm much happier still having an upper body.
2007-05-03 6:18 PM
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Subject: RE: Ideal Weight & Body Fat
Uhhhh, I'm not doing Ironman distance races, but I'm sure there are plenty of people with 10-15% body fat completing the events.
2007-05-03 6:25 PM
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Subject: RE: Ideal Weight & Body Fat
I'm almost 5'10", 157lbs, 5.5% body fat as per a caliper test a few months ago. I think the key is not so much wieght and body fat ratio, it's the power to wieght ratin that matters for IM. I know a lot of athletes who weigh less than me and have similar BF %'s, but have no power on the bike. You need to have muscle mass to push a bike fast, finding a balance between stregnth on the bike and lightness on the run is key.

Edited by bryancd 2007-05-03 6:26 PM
2007-05-03 6:42 PM
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Subject: RE: Ideal Weight & Body Fat

First off, Welcome to the site. 

I played football in college as well.  My advice is focus on training and diet and your weight and bf ratio will take care of itself.  If you haven't explored or stated using your logs yet try.  They will be a great asset.  Bryan is right (and fast) less weight and bf will do you good but not as much as training.  I am around 6'4" and when I was done playing I was 270,  Now I am around 212.  I don't really make a note to loose weight, just watch the diet and train hard.  The weight will come off and you will get faster. 



2007-05-03 6:58 PM
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Subject: RE: Ideal Weight & Body Fat
Don't forget that there's a big difference in body fat % between men and women, even and including men and women endurance atheletes. While an athletic male might have 5% body fat, a female with EXACTLY the same fitness level might have 15% body fat -- and it might be a bit dangerous to go too much lower than that for either of them, since a certain percentage (minimum 2% for a male?) is counted as ESSENTIAL body fat.
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