Am I too skinny?

For reference, when I left high school a the age of 18 years and 6 months, I stood about 6'2" and weighed about 157 pounds. Too skinny? If you think like XFit_Guy_The_Real_One_1, yes. I'll bet if you mix in some strength work (free weights, body weight exercises, medicine ball exercises, etc.,) and eat properly, you may develop a very attractive physique.

DrewTheMeteorologist wrote:

Hi, I am a college (male) mid-distance runner. My main event is the 800m. I'm 6'1'' and weight 150 lbs. (I usually fluctuate in the low 150s though, depending on what, when, and how much I ate). Basically I just want to know if I'm too skinny or not. Please be aware that no rude/objectionable answers will be tolerated.

Are you running well? If so, then your weight is fine.

Your BMI is similar to mine. 6'0" (ok more like 5'11.5") and 141 lbs.

yeah get REKT

Hotfoot Potato wrote:

Your BMI is similar to mine. 6'0" (ok more like 5'11.5") and 141 lbs.

That's about what I am 140-142 lb and 6'0". I consider myself too skinny, but that's mainly just looking at my upper body (I have very buff legs and a skinny torso)

Where is xfit_bro_the_real_one?????

Of course you are too skinny. You are a scrawny runner. Hit the gym and get ripped/shredded. I'm sure you'll thank me later.

If you are running well then keep the same weight. Lifting isn't always a good thing. It adds weight to your upper body that makes running more difficult. More upper body = more weight to carry. That being said, an upper body can be good too. Sprinters have massive upper bodies but that's because they need it for explosiveness and stuff. You being an 800 runner, I would say that your weight is just right. If you feel like you should gain weight however, I would recommend talking to your coach.

DrewTheMeteorologist wrote:

Hi, I am a college (male) mid-distance runner. My main event is the 800m. I'm 6'1'' and weight 150 lbs. (I usually fluctuate in the low 150s though, depending on what, when, and how much I ate). Basically I just want to know if I'm too skinny or not. Please be aware that no rude/objectionable answers will be tolerated.

Depending on how you're running, I'd say you're fine. Provided you aren't currently dieting to stay around that weight.

It would be interesting to see if you were to increase protein intake at optimal times (i.e. right after running etc) to see if you are giving your body enough nutrients to grow muscle.

Your BMI is about 20 which is on what is considered to be the low end of normal.

You will receive many opinions I would suggest you look at the top 800m runners in the world and see what their BMI's are.

As a point of reference I found David Rudisha's height and weight at 6'3" and 168 lbs. BMI = 21.

I hope this helps.

That depends on your goals. I am 6'1 and set my 200, 400, and even 800 PRs at 155-160. I've taken up weightlifting more seriously since then - slowly adding about 40 lbs over 5 or so years - and am in 100m PR territory, although my mile, 800, and even 400 PR times are out of my league now. No matter how lean you are at a higher weight, even sub 5 body fat, your running will likely suffer (in fact, it can be beneficial to carry at least some fat in the longer distances, where fatty acid oxidation becomes a more prominent energy source).

Your BMI is just under 20. The top 800 runners in the world are all right around 21. You're weight is great but if you really wanted to you could gain maybe 10 pounds and see how you do. Talk to your coach about it first.