Body fat – everything you need to know
You've probably heard of the body mass index (BMI)? Perhaps you've even calculated it yourself – height in centimeters divided by body weight squared. But this value doesn't tell you much. Body fat percentage is what matters, because muscle weighs more than fat. Bodybuilders often have a BMI that indicates overweight – with only 5% body fat!
For men, 15–20% is considered normal, and for women, 20–30%. If you really want to train effectively, focus on your body fat percentage, not the scale.
Why is too high a body fat percentage dangerous?
The Robert Koch Institute shows: Excessive body fat increases the risk of:
- Cardiovascular diseases (most common consequence)
- Joint wear and rheumatism
- Type 2 diabetes
- Certain types of cancer
With our EMS full-body training, you can specifically reduce fat and build muscle – just 20 minutes per week will have an impact!
Ideal body fat percentage: These are the guidelines
| CLASSIFICATION | WOMEN | MEN |
| LOWER LIMIT | 10 – 13% | 2 – 5% |
| ATHLETIC | 14 – 20% | 6 – 13% |
| FIT | 21 – 24% | 14 – 17% |
| AVERAGE | 25 – 31% | 18 – 24% |
| OBESE | >31% | >24% |
⚠️ Important: Too low is unhealthy! Below 10% (women) or 5% (men) can lead to:
- Absence of menstruation
- Erectile dysfunction
- Cardiac arrhythmias
You usually only see a six-pack at less than 15% – but your comfort level is individual.
Want to reduce body fat? Discover our EMS sets for home use – professional results without a gym!
