Is there an ideal body fat percentage?

The ideal body fat percentage varies depending on individual health, but generally for men, staying under 20% body fat is important to avoid negative health effects associated with higher body fat. For women, staying under 30% is recommended. Both ranges account for hormonal balance and general health, but exact percentages differ from person to person 1.

For specific body goals like muscle building or certain physical appearances, the numbers may differ. For instance, some believe that moderately higher body fat percentages (e.g., 10-14% for men) might be better for muscle building as extremely low fat percentages can negatively impact hormones like testosterone 2.

In health contexts, ranges for men might lie between 10-16% and for women, 16-24%, though focusing on overall well-being and how one feels rather than specific numbers is often encouraged 3.

Thus, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer as the "ideal" body fat percentage depends heavily on personal health, goals, and body responses.