What is Ottermode?

Ottermode is a male body type that is an appealing combination of low body fat and high muscle tone without being bulky. Ottermode is often compared to a swimmers physique. Traditionally, the ottermode look involves broad shoulders, six-pack abs, and a classic V shape torso.

A classic example of ottermode would be Brad Pitt in Fight Club.

In this article we’ll be going into more detail about what it means to be in ‘ottermode’ (A.K.A Otter Mode, or Otter-Mode) and what is the best way to achieve it.

The Male Ottermode Body Examples

Ottermode is the opposite of Bearmode, which is typically a high-fat, highly muscular physique. Think strongmen competitors and heavy lifters in the Olympics.

Otter mode is a very lean, toned physique which is often compared to that of a swimmer.

Michael Phelps for example, is a classic example of ottermode:

Michael Phelps in Ottermode

Broad shoulder, super low body-fat, popping abs, v-shaped torso and toned arms. The man is a classic example of someone who has gone full ottermode.

Michael Phelps (A.K.A. “The Baltimore Bullet”) is a former Olympic swimmer and gained 28 medals during his swimming career. He is known for his huge diet and fantastic swimming ability.


Zyzz (Aziz Shavershian) is another example of someone with this type of body. Zyzz was a fitness icon avid bodybuilder who grew to niche internet fame in early 2000s. Tragically, Zyzz passed away in 2011 – however, his legacy still lives on as one of the best-looking amateur bodybuilding physiques that was in ottermode:

Zyzz Ottermode

Again, he’s in a super-lean condition, like Phelps. There’s almost no unnecessary body fat on his physique and he his heavily muscles in his arms, shoulders and abs while maintaining a trim waist. A great example of ottermode and truly missed.


Brad Pitt (during the filming of Fight Club) gained a lot of media attention for both his role in the film Fight Club and for the physique he achieved for his character: Tyler Durden. It was 100% pure ottermode.

Here’s that classic picture that we’ve all seen before:

Brad Pitt in ottermode

Musclular shoulders, low body fat, and super tight waist with popping abs. It was a powerful looking physique and without being bulky.

Typical Ottermode Height, Weight and BMI

You cannot pin down Ottermode to a specific BMI. Everyone’s body is different, there’s no specific height and weight you have to be attain ottermode – what you need is low body-fat. 12% or lower would be a good place to be if you have a good amount of muscle mass.

To add to this, take a look at the BMI’s of the guys we’ve already mentioned in this article:

  • Michael Phelps
    • Height: 6′ 4″
    • Weight: 198 lbs
    • BMI: 24.1
  • Zyzz
    • Height: 6′ 1″
    • Weight: 205 lbs
    • BMI: 27.0
  • Brad Pitt (Fight Club Stats)
    • Height: 5′ 11″
    • Weight: 167 lbs
    • BMI: 23.3

These are all pretty average BMI levels – with the exception being Zyzz, who is technically overweight according to those numbers. The difference is the body fat. If your body fat is low, and you have muscle mass in the right areas – you may qualify to be in ottermode.

Ottermode Workout

There are plenty of different workouts out there to help you attain ottermode. However, this is what is believed to be workout that Brad Pitt to attain the physique he did in Fight Club:

Monday — Chest
Push-ups — Three sets of 25 reps
Bench press — 25, 15 and eight reps at 165, 195, 225 lbs
Nautilus press — 15 reps at 80, 100, 130 lbs
Incline press — 15 reps at 80, 100, 130 lbs
Pec deck — 15 reps at 60, 70, 80 lbs

Tuesday — Back
Pull-ups — Three sets to fatigue
Seated rows — Three sets at 75, 80, 85 lbs
Lat pull downs — Three sets at 135, 150, 165 lbs
T-bar rows — Three sets at 80, 95, 110 lbs

Wednesday – Shoulders
Arnold press — Three sets at 55 lbs
Laterals — Three sets at 30 lbs
Front raises — Three sets at 25 lbs

Thursday – Biceps & Triceps
Preacher curls — Three sets at 60, 80, 95 lbs
EZ curls cable — Three sets at 50, 65, 80 lbs
Hammer curls — Three sets at 30, 45, 55 lbs
Push downs — Three sets at 70, 85, 100 lbs

Friday & Saturday – Cardio
Treadmill — one hour at 80-90 percent of maximum heart rate

As you can see, it’s very low set range with typically 15 reps a set. Low sets, high reps. Serious stuff, the high rep range can really help build definition, to give you that well-developed ottermode look.

Skinny Fat to Ottermode: The Steps You Should Take

1. Keep track of your progress. Make sure you’re always building on what you’ve already done and pushing yourself harder.

2. Watch your diet, make sure you’re eating clean and training hard. If you’re not eating clean food, your physique will reflect it.

3. Try HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), burst of intense exercise followed by light exercise again and again is a fast way to burn fat.

4. Weightlifting will always help, big compound movements like deadlifts, bench press, sit-ups, chin-ups, squats and overhead press are all great options to help build that fantastic ottermode physique.