# Is a 6 foot 1, 210 pound person "fat"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 19, 2015, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234 "2015-01-19T00:31:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrogance_ex_machina/32/192_2.png) [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2015, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/21 "2015-01-19T13:28:42Z")
> [@stui\_magpie](#): > > This is a photo of an Australian Rules Footballer, Scott Pendlebury. > > [http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Scott+Pendlebury+Collingwood+Magpies+Recovery+ITsTXyd5\_vcl.jpg](http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Scott+Pendlebury+Collingwood+Magpies+Recovery+ITsTXyd5_vcl.jpg) I’m sorry, I must have missed the part where OP says he is a professional athlete. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2015, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/22 "2015-01-19T14:44:34Z")
> [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](#): > > I’m sorry, I must have missed the part where OP says he is a professional athlete. :dubious: The OP didn’t qualify the person in question at all. Clearly, there are people that meet the stated criteria that wouldn’t normally be considered fat. I know many athletic people who are far from professional who have BMIs well above the standard levels but are healthy and aren’t considered fat by most people. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2015, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/23 "2015-01-19T14:46:58Z")
A LOT has to do with the muscle mass at that height/weight level. For example, according to my scale, my lean weight is something like 180 lbs today, and I’m betting (didn’t have the scale back then) that when I was working out like a fiend and eating right, it was more like 185-190. So that would have put me at the 10-15% body fat range, which is about right. No gut, just a little bit of flab, and not what anyone would consider “fat”. But… someone whose lean body mass was like 150 would be a blob- we’re talking something like 29% body fat. This is kind of where BMI breaks down; according to the BMI calcs, both people would be the same, but there’s a lot of variation in there, especially when people get more fit. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2015, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/24 "2015-01-19T15:13:49Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > Honestly? I think we have WAY too many fat/exercise threads stuck in MPSIMS and IMHO. > > Maybe the board will create a “Health” sub section that these can all be moved to. I don’t know. I’m afraid that at first, we’d go there every day, excited and determined to participate. Then we’d miss a day here and there, and then more, always with an excuse, telling ourselves we don’t have the time. Before you know it, it’ll have been so long that we’re back at square one, asking ourselves why we even bothered joining in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2015, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/25 "2015-01-19T15:56:56Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > Honestly? I think we have WAY too many fat/exercise threads stuck in MPSIMS and IMHO. > > Maybe the board will create a “Health” sub section that these can all be moved to. Maybe they think that if we do a lot of reps at low weight, we’ll slim down some and not have to have so many threads. ---
**Author:** ![BOOM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c4cdca/32.png) [@BOOM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BOOM)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2015, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/26 "2015-01-19T16:15:05Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Depends on body fat percentage. > It’s possible to be of normal weight yet 30-35% bodyfat. Or go the other way and be 5%. Yep, most def. Put another way - how much does this 210 guy exercise? Great weight for a competent regular swimmer for example. Not so good for a ready-meal-tv-drive-everywhere person. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2015, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/27 "2015-01-19T18:31:55Z")
So OP get some pictures taken of yourself and post a link here–obscuring your head so you are not identifiable and people can give you an opinion. Following up on the previous posts the average weight of NFL players is about 245 to 250 pounds–and no one is saying “look at all those fat people”. But I am surprised at the language in this thread–I thought calling someone fat is frowned upon anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Your\_Great\_Darsh\_Face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ac8455/32.png) [@Your\_Great\_Darsh\_Face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Your_Great_Darsh_Face)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2015, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/28 "2015-01-19T18:54:28Z")
Yeah, 1,210 pounds is heavy on a six-footer or indeed anyone else, though as I understand it a very few humans have managed to be even heavier. ---
**Author:** ![JerrySTL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/29 "2015-01-20T14:09:47Z")
I’m 6’1" and weigh between 210 and 220 throughout the year. I average about an hour of aerobic exercise a day, but I like my food and beer a little too much. My BMI is a little on the high side. A few years ago I got down to 190 lbs and I did feel great, but it took a lot of effort to keep off the weight. Still I’m in better shape than many of my coworkers including a few who are skinnier than me. On the other hand if the OP gets down to 210 lbs, I bet he does feel a lot better especially if the weight loss comes from both good diet and moderate exercise and NOT from some kind of surgery. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/30 "2015-01-20T14:37:01Z")
It depends on your body type. I am 6-3 and 185. If I were 210 at my height I would consider myself overweight. ---
**Author:** ![Lowdown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Lowdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lowdown)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/31 "2015-01-20T22:05:30Z")
You’re edging into porker territory, yeah. Well, unless you bench 300. ---
**Author:** ![nate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nate/32/13085_2.png) [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/32 "2015-01-20T22:08:47Z")
I’m 6’1 and hover between 235-240 lbs. I wouldn’t call myself fat as, if I’m in the right light, I can see a six-pack. I have been lifting weights for several years now though, so I tell myself that it’s mostly muscle. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/33 "2015-01-20T22:13:57Z")
> [@nate](#): > > I’m 6’1 and hover between 235-240 lbs. I wouldn’t call myself fat as,\*\* if I’m in the right light,\*\* I can see a six-pack. I have been lifting weights for several years now though, so I tell myself that it’s mostly muscle. 😉 Refrigerator? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![protoboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/34 "2015-01-21T00:18:15Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > Lots of variability in body types, but a 6’ 1" 210-pounder would not typically be someone who would be categorized walking down the street as a “look at fatso” body type. To most people, the typical response would be “he looks normal weight,” IMO. Again, ignoring outliers, such a person fully clothed would not look fat to almost everyone. That’s the aesthetic answer. > > If you’re asking health-wise, that combination could be anything from ripped to “just a bit of a spare tire, not quite as healthy as you ought to be,” depending upon body type, muscle mass, etc. But if I get the sense of why you’re asking–lose the 50. I suspect the predominant response you’ll get is, “protoboard, you look fantastic!” That’s exactly what I wanted to hear! I’d be perfectly happy losing just 50 pounds, I’m never going to be a body builder or anything and that’s fine with me. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/35 "2015-01-21T00:27:47Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > But I am surprised at the language in this thread–I thought calling someone fat is frowned upon anymore. In real life? Sure. But this is the Internet. Look at what goes on in the Pit. If some of those people acted the way they do there in real life (including myself), I don’t think they’d be around to comment. Plus, it’s not as big a problem when people actually ask (with genuine intent.) ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/36 "2015-01-21T00:56:59Z")
“Fat” is not a dirty word. Using “fat” as a judgement, that’s the part that gets “frowned upon.” ---
**Author:** ![JerrySTL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/37 "2015-01-21T01:37:38Z")
> [@nate](#): > > I’m 6’1 and hover between 235-240 lbs. I wouldn’t call myself fat as, if I’m in the right light, I can see a six-pack. I have been lifting weights for several years now though, so I tell myself that it’s mostly muscle. 😉 I have a six-pack … capacity. ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/38 "2015-01-21T02:27:26Z")
> [@JerrySTL](#): > > I have a six-pack … capacity. I used to have a six pack. Nowdays it’s a keg.:o ---
**Author:** ![nate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nate/32/13085_2.png) [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234/39 "2015-01-21T02:55:50Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Refrigerator? > > 😃 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-6-foot-1-210-pound-person-fat/710234.md?page=1)