Body fat percentage is a better health marker than BMI for anyone who trains. Here's the ACE Fitness chart used by clinicians and coaches.
Essential fat: 2–5%. Athletes: 6–13%. Fitness: 14–17%. Average: 18–24%. Obese: 25%+.
Essential fat: 10–13%. Athletes: 14–20%. Fitness: 21–24%. Average: 25–31%. Obese: 32%+.
Women's essential fat is higher due to reproductive tissue and hormone function — this is normal and healthy.
Estimate your body fat with the Navy method.
Body Fat Calculator →
BMI can label muscular athletes as overweight or obese. Here's when BMI misses the mark and what to use instead.
The clearest waist guideline for women, based on the NHS and Ashwell Waist-to-Height ratio — no charts, just one rule.
How age changes your healthy weight range, and the simple WHO/CDC formula that answers "how much should I weigh?".