skinny vs lean body

Lean vs Skinny: What’s the Difference?

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You might often hear that “skinny” and “lean” mean the same thing, or see both terms used interchangeably. While there are some small similarities, they are actually quite different.

Many people associate being skinny with attractiveness and healthiness, which, in reality, can be quite the opposite. Being skinny doesn’t necessarily mean being healthy; for example, you can be “skinny fat” or underweight, both of which can negatively affect your health and well-being.

On the other hand, a lean physique is linked to exercise, fitness, and good health. This makes sense, as a lean body is often the goal for people who work out regularly, both men and women.

What many people consider to be skinny might actually be a lean body. Generally, a lean physique is much healthier than a skinny one, as lean individuals typically work out consistently. However, this doesn’t mean that a skinny body is inherently bad or unattractive.

With the right mindset and a healthy approach, both skinny and lean bodies can be beautiful, attractive, and healthy.

Lean vs Skinny: What’s the Difference?

When comparing skinny vs. lean, there are important distinctions to consider, along with the safety and risks of both physiques.

For example, a lean body is associated with regular exercise and a low body fat percentage, resulting in more visible muscle definition. People with a lean physique, or those striving for one, work out regularly, leading to well-formed muscles—this includes aesthetically pleasing shoulders, arms, glutes, legs, back, and abdominals.

A skinny body shares some similarities, as it also aims for a low body fat percentage to reduce excess fat from areas like the belly, chin, arms, and legs. However, the key difference is that most skinny people do not work out regularly, so they typically lack the muscle definition seen in those with a lean physique.

Lean Body Advantages

To achieve a lean physique, it is important to start training to build muscle mass and eat healthily, primarily maintaining a calorie deficit or maintenance, as reducing body fat percentage is essential for attaining the desired aesthetic look.

The advantages of having a lean body include, first and foremost, physical strength, good athletic performance, mental clarity, and confidence—not to mention a good-looking body that is attractive and desirable.

The main advantage of a lean body is the overall healthiness associated with it. Being in good physical shape positively affects your everyday life.

Lean Body Disadvantages

There are only a few drawbacks to building a lean body, as it is a healthy and beneficial commitment. The main drawback to mention is the maintenance.

Depending on how lean you plan to get, it can be challenging to maintain consistently. For example, maintaining a single-digit body fat percentage, say 7-9%, is difficult as it requires a very strict daily diet.

Depending on your gender and body type, a lean body typically ranges from 5% to 20% body fat. If you need to calculate your current or ideal body fat percentage, download the Workit App and use the free body fat calculator to accurately check your status.

If you’re not aiming for extreme levels of leanness, maintaining a lean body is relatively easy, especially if you already work out and follow a somewhat healthy diet.

If you’re a beginner, building healthy habits may be a bit challenging at first, as starting out can feel demanding.

Advantages of Skinny Body

Skinny bodies are mostly pursued by women, though some men are also interested in achieving this physique. There is a certain aesthetic appeal to it, especially if maintained at a healthy level, which is often sought after in the modeling industry.

Skinny is often considered particularly beautiful on women, and many women and men see it as a standard of beauty. One of the great benefits of being skinny is that it makes fitting into clothes easier, making shopping more enjoyable.

Disadvantages of Skinny Body

Skinny looks beautiful as long as it is healthy. For example, being “skinny fat” can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease.

Even if you are skinny, you can still have fat in your belly area. This can be an indicator of hormonal imbalance, which could result from pursuing a “skinny body” by following a poor diet to achieve your target weight or body fat percentage.

Eating the proper foods and fueling your body with enough protein is essential to maintain healthy body functions and avoid stressing your body by depriving it of essential vitamins and minerals.

If your goal is to achieve a skinny look, make sure to eat well and avoid sabotaging your health for the sake of appearance. Many people eat only greens and salads, avoiding meat, dairy, and eggs.

We advise you to consult with a nutritionist before embarking on the skinny journey, or download the Workit app to access personalized meal plans and recipes. You can calculate your daily calorie and protein goals, helping you plan your meals accordingly.

Examples of Lean vs Skinny Body

To help clarify the difference between skinny and lean, let’s look at an example. Imagine two women, both 35 years old, 5’6″ tall, and weighing 130 pounds.

Now, if the first woman has 15% body fat and a 28-inch waist, and the second woman, who trains consistently, has 11% body fat and a 25-inch waist, we can assume both are thin.

However, the second woman will be leaner due to her lower body fat percentage and regular training.

How to Build a Lean or Skinny Body?

Building a lean body involves starting to work out—not necessarily lifting super heavy weights or spending 6 days in the gym, but training 2-3 times a week with bodyweight and light-weight exercises.

It’s important to maintain a healthy diet, as you need to consume enough protein to give your body the ability to build muscle mass, while staying in a calorie deficit to achieve a lean look.

For achieving the skinny look, the principle is similar: you need to eat a protein-rich diet and stay in a calorie deficit. Working out is not a necessity, but it’s highly beneficial to do some form of exercise. It will help define your body and make it more aesthetically pleasing.

A few more recommendations that apply to both lean and skinny bodies are to limit processed and fast food intake. Make sure to stay hydrated, and try to incorporate at least low-impact workouts, like walking 10,000 steps a day, to keep your vitals healthy and promote brain activity.

Staying active not only benefits us physically but also has a significant impact on our mood and confidence. Building a healthy workout routine will help you tremendously in achieving your dream physique.

Lean vs Skinny Fat

A lean body refers to a muscular, athletic build with a low body fat percentage. On the other hand, “skinny fat” describes a skinny build with noticeable fat accumulation, primarily in the belly area.

A lean body is healthy and desirable, while being “skinny fat” can indicate internal health problems, such as hormonal imbalances, hyperthyroidism, or other underlying issues.

Thin vs Slim vs Skinny vs Lean vs Slender

Let’s discuss a few more body types before concluding our article. We’ll explore the differences between thin, slim, skinny, lean, and slender bodies.

Thin

‘Thin’ is a term often sought after by women, as they appreciate being called thin since it implies a feminine build. However, for men, it can suggest being underweight and weak. A thin body type is generally more desirable for women, as it typically indicates having little to no body fat. The term is more culturally acceptable in some regions than others.

Slim

‘Slim’ is considered a huge compliment, especially for women, as it suggests a fit and healthy appearance. For men, being slim might imply a lack of muscle or strength. Generally, slim individuals are thin but in a way that appears healthier and more attractive.

Skinny

‘Skinny’ is similar to terms like slim and thin. Skinny people, especially in industries like modeling, can be seen as attractive and desirable, as they often need to maintain bodies that are slightly underweight or at the lower edge of the healthy weight range. While the term is often acceptable for women, it can offend some men.

Lean

‘Lean’ indicates a healthy, fit, and athletic body type, characterized by little to no excess fat. A lean physique is highly desirable, as it suggests that the person trains regularly and takes care of themselves. ‘Lean’ is a compliment for both men and women, making it widely regarded as the most positive body type.

Slender

‘Slender’ is typically used to describe women and is also considered a compliment. For instance, phrases like “long and slender legs” convey admiration and sexiness. Women are often flattered when referred to as slender, as it portrays elegance.

Conclusion

All in all, the lean vs skinny debate comes down to personal preference. Depending on the type of body you want to achieve, it’s important not to take things to extremes.

Striving for the skinny look often leads people into trouble, as taking it too far can lead to problems like anorexia. Make sure to eat well and avoid starving yourself.

If you are aiming to build a lean body, be sure to work out consistently—whether with or without weights—and follow a proper, protein-rich diet so your body has the fuel to keep going and build muscle mass.

Whether you choose to pursue a lean or skinny physique, approach it in a healthy way. Don’t expect results in a week, and remember that building your dream body takes time.

Lastly, if we had to choose between lean vs skinny, we would definitely go with the lean physique, as it is healthier overall.

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