Body fat percentage is one of those numbers people fixate on, but few truly understand. Too high? Increased risk of disease. Too low? Potential hormonal and immune issues. The truth? There’s no single “perfect” body fat percentage. What’s healthy for one person might not be ideal for another. At Black Bear Fitness Co., we focus on strength, resilience, and longevity—not just numbers. Let’s break it down.
What’s a Healthy Body Fat Percentage?
✅ Men: 10-20% is typically considered healthy, with athletes often sitting lower (6-12%) and obesity starting around 25%+
✅ Women: 18-28% is a common healthy range, with athletes between 15-20% and obesity beginning around 32%+
Women naturally carry more body fat due to biological functions like hormone regulation and reproductive health. That’s not a flaw—it’s by design and essential for long-term well-being.
When Body Fat is Too High
Excess body fat—especially visceral fat (the kind that surrounds your organs)—can increase the risk of:
❌ Heart disease
❌ Type 2 diabetes
❌ Joint pain and mobility issues
❌ Chronic inflammation
It’s not just about aesthetics. Fat plays a role in hormone levels, insulin sensitivity, and even brain function.
When Body Fat is Too Low
On the other end, too little body fat can cause serious health concerns:
❌ Hormonal imbalances (low testosterone in men, disrupted menstrual cycles in women)
❌ Weakened immune function
❌ Low energy & poor recovery
❌ Higher risk of injury & fractures
Athletes who push their body fat too low often struggle with fatigue, mood swings, and slow recovery. If your body doesn’t have enough fat for fuel, it starts breaking down muscle instead—not ideal for longevity or performance.
The Missing Piece: Blood Work
Most people assume a lower body fat percentage equals better health—but that’s not always the case. Two people can have the same body fat percentage but completely different health profiles.
This is where blood work comes in. By checking markers like:
✅ Blood sugar
✅ Cholesterol
✅ Hormone levels
✅ Inflammation markers
You get a true picture of how your body is functioning. Someone at 25% body fat with great blood markers might be healthier than someone at 15% body fat with high inflammation and hormone dysfunction.
What Should You Do?
Stop chasing an arbitrary number. Instead, focus on how you feel
✔️ Strong
✔️ Energetic
✔️ Pain-free
If you’re unsure whether your body fat percentage is impacting your health, get blood work done. And if you need help with training, nutrition, and making sense of it all, we’ve got you.
📍 Set up a No-Sweat Intro at Black Bear Fitness Co. We’ll help you build a plan based on your goals, lifestyle, and health—not just a number on a chart.
Let’s focus on resilient health, not just aesthetics. 💪🐻