Ideal Male Athlete Body Weight

Determining the ideal male athlete body weight is a matter of perspective and aesthetic preference. This changes over time, but there are some timeless indicators, like body proportion and body mass index. If you are a male athlete looking to find the ideal body weight, focus on your particular sport and its criteria for ideal performance.

The ideal male athlete body weight changes in step with public opinion. (Image: Michael Blann/Digital Vision/Getty Images)

Proportion Sense

World-renowned bodybuilder Steve Reeves focused on proportion more than exact body weight to reach an ideal athletic form. His arms, neck and calves measured 18.5 inches across. His ideal waist proportion was 86 percent of pelvic size, giving him the appearance of broader shoulders and chest.

Body Mass Index

BMI, or body mass index, is a number derived from a person's height and weight. BMI measures the amount of body fat on your body in comparison to other men of similar build. A BMI score between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal, but highly specialized athletes may have higher- or lower-than-average numbers.

Body Fat

Percentage of body fat might not be the most accurate way to chart an athlete's body weight. According to the American Council on Exercise, the normal range for male athletes is 6 percent to 12 percent, while the average male body fat percentage is closer to 20 percent. Muscle weighs more than fat and can significantly skew a male athlete's ideal body weight measurement.