I wanted to ask what you all feel is a limit to bodyfat levels in the off-season. This is very individualy based as we all look different at one bodyfat % and some can lose fat faster or slower then others as well. But in general whats your limits. Mine is 15% max. This way I only got 10% to lose in a 12 week cut.

The last two years I have stayed at 8-9% in the off-season. My guess, is that at 6 weeks from my last show, I'm now around 7-8%. I'd like to try to stay at this bf level this year. I am what I call a visual lifter, I like to see the muscles working when I lift, it helps me with form and makes me slow down each rep, two things that I try to do. If I don't stay fairly lean I loose some of that visual feedback.

IMO 15% is too high. I stay at 10% if I can. I know it fluctuates, but by the time I would be setting up an appointment with Bev at 14-12 weeks I would have myself at 10%. I think 10% in 12 weeks is way too much and you will undoubtedly lose muscle that way. Just my opinion, but I think you will find that resonating throughout this board.

I agree with JT - trying to go from 15% to 5% bf in 12 weeks is a lot to expect. A goal of a 5% drop would make your life much easier and your end result better. If you need to lose more than 2 lbs a week it is too much. 1 lb a week is an even better pace. So you have to adjust your schedule accordingly. If you allow yourself to get to 15% then you will need to start your diet at 16-20 weeks out not 12.

agreed, size does matter. but don't get TOO caught up in that idea josh. Offseason that is fine to add more bodyfat, if you are comfortable with it. Hopefully you build enough muscle in the offseason too. You shouldn't sacrifice conditioning for size @ contests ever. having arms(etc) that are "too small" isn't going to be remedied by keeping extra fat for size on contest day.

and remember that the more bodyfat that does accumulate over time, the longer it takes for it to come off! And over time the bodyfat will come off but usually at the cost of lean tissue loss as well! So a lot of the times you put on the extra lean tissue with the fat, but when the diet comes down in the long run the added muscle comes right back off! When gains are made and the bodyfat is not out of control, much more retention of lean muscle will occur! If you fall behind the eight ball when dieting and need to lose weight too fast as well, the lean tissue will come off as well and not be retained! Its good to kind of take somewhere in the middle and not gain too much back as a result!

If you truly do natural shows, conditioning will matter much more over size!

Thanks much guys, I got in tough with Steven Wade and he has me doing a quick 6 week bodyfat reduction phase, he wants me down to 10-11% by Jan 14th when I start my cut. I am taking 14 weeks to cut for the show. I appretiate your inputs.

Exactly!