What are the ideal proportions for the male physique? Is there such thing as "ideal" proportions? Bodybuilding legend Steve "Hercules" Reeves (pictured right) thought so. In his book "classic physique", Steve wrote about his ideal muscle to bone ratios. These ratios were used to work out your ideal shape based on some of body measurements.
This calculator is based on the formula Steve created. In order to calculate your "ideal" body measurements you'll need:
- Height
- Wrist site
- Ankle size
- Head size (measure around at forehead height)
- Pelvis size (the widest part of your pelvis)
- Knee size
You can get these measurements from using a tape measure to measure each body part. If you're unsure of where to take the measurements head over to our forum and ask one of our members.
This tool only shows your "ideal" measurements using Steve's formula, they are not always 100% accurate, and are meant only as a guide to good proportions.
NB: All measurements must be entered in inches. Example: 12.5
Comments (50)
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Posted Thu, 12/22/2011 - 10:05
I checked out some images of Steve Reeves and I'd say he's got pretty much the "ideal" physique in my mind. Classic.
Posted Sun, 04/22/2012 - 19:07
?????
Posted Fri, 05/18/2012 - 23:49
who can help you, lori? you've posted five question marks, zero questions. steve reeves was the man. so was vince gironda, jack lalanne, other NATURALS from history (did you notice the emphasis, there?). adapt their principles to accommodate your own life, and you're bound to get the results you want. hope that answers some of your question marks.
Posted Thu, 06/21/2012 - 11:11
Can anybody point out to the exact place where I should measure the above mentioned areas?
Posted Sun, 06/24/2012 - 16:15
It may sound stupid but i'm from EU but 185 centimeter is equal to 6'0" here ?
Posted Sat, 09/08/2012 - 05:22
Just type 185 cm to inches (or whatever figures you want to convert) into google, it'll convert it for you.
Posted Sun, 06/24/2012 - 19:58
Eh, where is the one for females?
Posted Fri, 07/06/2012 - 06:42
Are the measurements required the circumference or the width?
Posted Fri, 08/10/2012 - 02:10
circumference
Posted Sun, 08/12/2012 - 13:03
Um, how is this relevant for females? Or for that matter, people under 5'5"?
unimpressed.
Posted Wed, 04/03/2013 - 17:07
My question too. Thank you!!!
Posted Wed, 04/03/2013 - 17:08
Seems a bit "One sided" to me too.
Posted Sun, 08/12/2012 - 18:05
hey everybody,im steven.my question to yall will follow later tonight. thank you
Posted Thu, 10/04/2012 - 00:59
I agree that Steve had a great look, but the calculator is a joke - says I should have a 58" chest and a 34" waist, essentially Arnold's measurements in his prime.
Posted Fri, 12/07/2012 - 23:02
Well, Arnold was supposed to be the perfect specimen.
Posted Mon, 12/31/2012 - 11:44
Arnold might have been the perfect specimen for a man on the Steroidsof his day. He WAS NOT natural. And now the magazine guys are nothing more than drug monsters. They take Anabolic Steroids, Androgenic Steroids, Human Groth Hormaone, Drugs to counteract the side effects of the Androgenic Drugs ( Like drugs to block the conversion of Testosterone to Estrogen, or to DHT, they have to take Lutinizing Hormones in the off season[if they have one] to get their testicles to regian size lost and function lost and that isn't all...Pain meds to do the heavy sets, especially leg exercises 'cause they can't take the pain) This is part of the many reasons why Body Building will NEVER be an Olympic Sport, it isn't REALLY a sport at all in the strictest sense.
Posted Mon, 10/15/2012 - 23:20
Which wrist/knee, left or right?
Posted Fri, 10/26/2012 - 21:07
This Calculator is for laughs. It said I should have 58" chest 34" waist @5'8" and yet the weight should be only 175 lb. That must be a hollow man!! @@
Posted Wed, 04/03/2013 - 17:38
Im 5'8 my measurements say I need a 50" chest 29"waist and be 175lbs. I dont see how we should be that far apart and also be at the same weight.
Posted Sun, 11/25/2012 - 15:38
It doesn't have my height
Posted Mon, 12/10/2012 - 20:47
So I guess this measurement hidoesn't work for women? The height starts at 5'5
Bummer
Posted Wed, 12/19/2012 - 13:08
or men under 5'5" duh !
Posted Mon, 01/14/2013 - 10:26
Haha, no the measurements are only for men because the women doens't need so huge bodys to look good, the measurements for a women as well known is 90-60-90, or the same proporcions measuring bust, waist and hips
Posted Wed, 04/03/2013 - 17:09
What a load of crock! I can be as big as I want. I don't need a MAN to tell me how big I can be!!!! Sexist.
Posted Mon, 12/24/2012 - 01:14
im 5'4 and a lady, come on. is there one for ladies or shorter people?
Posted Fri, 03/08/2013 - 06:58
IT SAYS MY WAIST SHOULD BE 13 INCHES
Posted Wed, 04/03/2013 - 17:47
If it says that, you entered your pelvis measurement wrong
Posted Tue, 03/19/2013 - 19:26
Says I should have a 63 inch chest lol
Posted Fri, 03/22/2013 - 16:21
Now I just need to figure out how to add 21 inches to my chest naturally, any suggestions?
Posted Mon, 03/25/2013 - 00:20
whats up....?? it all makes sense to me except for the chest i have a 44" chest and it says i should have a 55" chest.....wtf.......chest has always been my muscle that grew bigger quicker.............could it be my lats/upper back are to small???..........but 11" come on!
Posted Wed, 03/27/2013 - 04:24
what is the logic of this calculator
Posted Mon, 04/01/2013 - 23:54
Is there a women's one?
Posted Wed, 04/03/2013 - 17:06
I'm 5 feet 2 inches tall. The height starts at 5'5"... What about short people????
Posted Wed, 04/03/2013 - 17:25
It's difficult in the imperial system...
How about an option in Metric System!
Posted Wed, 04/03/2013 - 17:30
This seems pretty accurate for me except chest!
Neck: 18"/18"
Arms: 17.5"/19"
Chest: 46"/55"
Waist: 32"/32"
Thighs: 25"/29"
Calves: 17.5"/19"
Posted Wed, 04/03/2013 - 18:10
My arms are perfect but everything else is scrawny, apparently. I'll just wear sleeveless jackets and baggy pants.from now on
Posted Wed, 04/03/2013 - 18:14
For those who clearly don't know how to measure.
1.Use your right hand for wrist and right knee for knee.
2. Don't measure the circumference of your waist but the pelvic bones from one end to another. (from the front)
3. It's OBVIOUSLY for guys and i have no idea why some girls would be so dumb to even ask the silly question of "is it for guys only?" seriously?
Posted Thu, 04/04/2013 - 17:52
When you say Pelvic "measured across" are you saying NOT to measure the pelvic itself in a circumerence? Also are you measuring the pelvic at the Iliac crest or... ??
Posted Wed, 04/03/2013 - 19:52
what happens if your to tall
Posted Wed, 04/03/2013 - 20:26
This is for a guy only... what about girls?
Posted Wed, 04/03/2013 - 21:02
Is there an equivalent calculation for women?
Posted Wed, 04/03/2013 - 21:02
Is there an equivalent calculation for women?
Posted Wed, 04/03/2013 - 21:02
Is there an equivalent calculation for women?
Posted Thu, 04/04/2013 - 11:00
funny just did some rough measurements and got almost the exact measurement i should be in give or take a few inches
Posted Thu, 04/04/2013 - 12:49
What is the "healthy" body fat calculation for the calculated weight? And since healthy body fat levels are different for different age groups, what should be a reasonable level for each male age group?
Posted Fri, 04/05/2013 - 22:56
I wish I could have done this, but the shortest hieght is taller than I am. As far as I'm concered this is useless for anyone under 5'5"
Posted Wed, 04/10/2013 - 23:54
This calculator is not exactly his ideal. First of all one of his stated ideals is that the neck, bicep, and calve size should be the same. Also the waist measurement he is giving is based on sucking your stomach in as far as you can. If you look at any of his pictures you can see it is quit obvious that is what he is doing. No ones stomach naturally caves in that far, especially when there is muscular development of the stomach muscles. I'm only 5'6" with 8 pack abs with a clear separation from the right and left all the way down to the pubic area and I have a 30 inch waist. This calculator says it should be 26 inches. The only way I could have a 26 inch waist would be to have virtually no stomach, oblique or lower back development and be at 3% body fat. If you look at those Greek statues they don't match the supposed Greek ideal for the waist either. There is a lot of B.S. information and ideas in bodybuilding. Also who thinks that his waist size is ideal? He looks like if some on pats him on the back he will break in half. What a joke.
Posted Sun, 04/21/2013 - 13:53
I believe what this site is calling a chest measurement most of you will refer to as a shoulder measurement, just measure with your arms to your side and you should come a lot closer to the Steve's reeves number
Posted Fri, 04/26/2013 - 04:45
This is all well and good but ideal for who? I am an african American and i am very curvy my ankles are small and I have an outrageous shape. Small waist big bottom and matching bust. When I was larger it was a problem but now I'm in shape and by some standards I should be smaller but my waist is 22.5 inches and I have flat abs with a 34c bust and 37in derrière. In other words ideal is objective. If you are in shape then stop striving for someone else's perfection.
Posted Sun, 05/12/2013 - 09:32
There is no way I will ever get to 190 lbs/ 86 kgs without the use of steroids. I've been lifting for about 3 years and the gains are already coming to a crawl at 165 lbs/ 75 kgs. Of course I started out at 129 lbs/ 58.5 kgs, so a 35 lb/ 15.9 kg gain is already quite impressive for my frame. I'll be lucky to put on another 11 lbs/ 5 kgs in my lifetime.
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