AT WHAT PERCENT OF BODY-FAT YOU SHOULD BE SITTING IN THE OFF-SEASON?

One question l often get asked by my competitor clients is at what percent of body-fat you should be sitting in the off-season?

My take on this is that in the off-season it is ok to lose your lines as long as you completely don't lose your shape.

Staying too lean in the off-season is not only unnecessary but it can be counter productive to your progress. Maintaining competition or near competition condition means that you need to be on a relatively low calories most of the time. This will restrict the progress to your physique. The positive side of staying very lean is that you will look good. The negative side is that you will not get better.

What is the sweet spot where you can benefit from both? Where you still look relatively good while you continue to improve?

For me, it's always been staying between 10-12% body-fat in the off-season. At this percent of body-fat l would feel strong, both physically and mentally, l would be in positive calorie and nitrogen balance enough to grow and l feel less prone to injuries.