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The Ideal Weight for a 6-Foot Male Model
Behind all the glitz and glamour, the modeling industry has its own standards for male models who provide specific looks for runways, galas and marketing campaigns. Maintaining an ideal and consistent weight allows male models to transform and transition between clothing pieces to allow the audience to focus on the designer's product. To achieve and sustain an ideal weight for modeling, you must commit to healthy diet habits, regular sleep patterns and weekly exercise.
Weight Range
A male model should generally weigh between 120 and 170 pounds and be 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet 2 inches in height, according to Models.com. The objective is to sell products, which makes a model's build and presentation vital for the job. Medical providers use the Hamwi equation to calculate ideal body weight, for the general population. For a healthy male taller than 5 feet, the ideal body weight is based on the following equation: inches over 5 feet x 6 + 106; the final answer is given in a range of plus or minus 10 percent to account for frame. A 6-foot-tall man would should be 178 pounds, or a range of 160 to 196 pounds, so a model this height would need to be in the lower 10 percent to average 170 pounds and still maintain good health.
A Healthy Diet
A crucial aspect of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is a well-balanced diet rich in whole foods, vitamins and minerals. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that moderately active men should eat 2,000 to 2,800 calories per day, limit red meat consumption and consume at least 2 cups of fruits and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables each day. Choose whole, unrefined grains and swap fatty junk foods for nuts, low-fat dairy and oil-based condiments. Cook fish twice a week; broiled fish with asparagus and brown rice is an excellent choice. A high-fiber diet is important for male wellness, so shoot for 38 grams of fiber each day; if you are older than 50, aim for 30 grams each day.
Exercise Routine
To maintain a weight of about 170 pounds, make physical fitness a top priority. If you’re stuck in a nine-to-five routine, stay active during your lunch break -- bring athletic shoes and take a brisk walk for half an hour. Aerobic cardio exercises will blast fat and burn calories, whereas weight training will enable you to sculpt muscles and build mass. Both the American Council on Exercise and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise that you get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every week for health and longevity. Pick a workout routine that's enjoyable to ensure you will stick with it.
Sleep and Weight
Dr. Michael J. Twery, director of the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, reports that over 30 percent of American adults attempt to function on inadequate sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation affects your ability to control appetite and increases your risk for weight fluctuations, lowering your marketability as a model. The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of sleep every night for optimal adult health. According to model Oliver Cheshire, this career is fast-paced and makes beauty rest a work of careful planning and dedication. When designers hire you for a show, they expect the weight provided in your description -- consistency in sleep is connected to consistency in weight and will help you stay successful.
References
- Newmodels.com: Height and Professional modeling
- Models.com: What Are the Requirements for Being a Model?
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Healthy Eating for Men
- The Telegraph: 10 Things No One Tells You Before You Become a Male Model
- American Council on Exercise: Ace Personal Trainer Manual
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Physical Activity for a Healthy Weight
- MedlinePlus: Are You Sleep-Deprived? Learn More About Healthy Sleep
- National Sleep Foundation: How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?
Writer
Based in Cincinnati, Sarah Williams is a registered dietitian and medical writer. Her research on eating disorders can be found at the Isabel Briggs Myers Memorial Library in the Center for Applications of Psychological Type. Williams holds a Master of Science in dietetics from D’Youville College.
Photo Credits
JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Getty Images