Understanding where your body fat percentage falls helps you set realistic fitness goals. Ranges differ between men and women due to biological differences in fat storage.
Body fat naturally increases with age. A 45-year-old man at 22% body fat is in a similar relative category as a 25-year-old at 18%. Women carry 6–10% more essential fat than men at every age. These ranges are general guides — individual factors like muscle mass, bone density, and activity level matter more than a single number.