OK, a question I've never really considered before, but here goes. What difference does/should it make if you have a small frame as opposed to a large one. Does it mean that you should be aiming for a lower weight/size, or does it mean that any given weight you might be smaller than people with a larger frame? Or does it mean something else entirely? I'm just curious, because I've always used the "big boned" excuse on myself, but based on my height and wrist measurement I've apparently got a small frame :faint:

YP1- I'm right there with you. I just discovered that I am small framed too. I would assume that it means that you would look best around the lower end of your weight range. Oddly, I said earlier that I looked best at around 130-135 and my ideal weight came out to be 130, heh. My guess- and I am not an expert- is that larger bones will weigh more which is why a large boned person will likely be at the higher end of the weight range, PLUS in order for a larger boned person to not have hip bones and ribs poking out, they may have to add more lean mass (hopefully) than a small framed person.

Then again, I may be wrong, but it seems logical.

Your frame size is the size of your bones, rather than your height. For example, I'm 5'3", but have very broad shoulders, a wide rib cage, and hips. Not fat- you can see all my bones and muscle definition, but they are wider and heavier than most other women's.

YP1-Someone with a larger or heavier frame will have a higher BMI and weight than a small-boned person, even if their body fat percentage is the same. If you truly have a heavier frame, your bones just plain weigh more.

Julia- Muscle definitely takes up less space than the equivalent poundage of fat. The longer and heavy you train, the smaller you will get :) When I started lifting seriously and heavy, I weighed 135 and wore a size 8. Two years later, I weighed 135 and wore a size 4. At 10 pounds less, I'm still in a size 4 because my BONES won't fit in anything smaller.

Wow, I just found out I am a large frame...always thought so but wasn't sure. I think that is why people usually guess I weigh about 20 lbs less than I do weight!
I am only 5'1" and would like to get to 123. My dr. says to shoot for about 130 as I am 48 and diabetic. I have my goal at 123 if I can do it!!
Interesting and thank you!!