How to messure body fat%

[synthika]

lol need little help here, lol! I did a fat% test with fat calipers taking a few skin folds and getting averge of 20%.

But then some one was like give me all your messurement like: hips, calf, thigh, wrist, neck. Then they did this werid adding thing and got a different % (29.8%)and then they got in the adding thing weridly the amount of weight I want to lose. And they said the 51lbs was the fat in my body. and that I had 124.5 lbs lean...

(Which hey is what I Would like in the long run) Random other question...
-Should I then just lose the fat, since I wanted to get to 126lbs lean^_^?...

I think there % is right not the one with the skin fold that I did... However how do I know? And how can I learn to get my own body fat % ?

That all for know! Iam truely a nooby XD!

[Emma-Leigh]

lol need little help here, lol! I did a fat% test with fat calipers taking a few skin folds and getting averge of 20%.

But then some one was like give me all your messurement like: hips, calf, thigh, wrist, neck. Then they did this werid adding thing and got a different % (29.8%)and then they got in the adding thing weridly the amount of weight I want to lose. And they said the 51lbs was the fat in my body. and that I had 124.5 lbs lean...

(Which hey is what I Would like in the long run) Random other question...
-Should I then just lose the fat, since I wanted to get to 126lbs lean^_^?...

I think there % is right not the one with the skin fold that I did... However how do I know? And how can I learn to get my own body fat % ?

That all for know! Iam truely a nooby XD!
Firstly - if you truly are 175 odd # at 5'3, unless you are REALLY buff (think powerlifter who can squat 3 x your bodyweight), you are not likely to be 20% BF.

Unfortunately, calipers are only as accurate as:
1. the number of readings you do (7 site is more accurate than a 3 site measure)
2. the skill of the person using the calipers (if they were not doing them well, you may as well have waved a crystal over your head)
If you want a bit of an eye opener as to what a REAL person of 20% BF looks like, read this thread: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=123726731

With regards to the measurements - this is simply another way to estimate your bodyfat %. eg:
http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/body-fat-percentage-calculator
http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/home-body-fat-test-2774-143.html
They are usually very inaccurate as it doesn't take into consideration variation in bone frame etc etc....

If you really want an accurate measure you are best getting a DEXA scan done.... You could also post up pics, and we can give you visual estimates...

But, honestly, why does it matter what the % EXACTLY is? You know you want to lose weight, right? So start with the basics:
- eat less
- more more
- rest enough
^^ if you do it right, you'll lose a higher % of fat (and not too much lean mass) <-- and you'll look better and feel better. And THAT is what you ultimately should be aiming for, not a 'number'. ;)

[synthika]

Ok thnx! I am doing what your saying, I was just curiour what my fat % was at, since a few of use had different outcomes to what it was, but I see know they are essitmates!

And thank you iam checking out that link right know! :D

[Echo814]

Firstly - if you truly are 175 odd # at 5'3, unless you are REALLY buff (think powerlifter who can squat 3 x your bodyweight), you are not likely to be 20% BF.

Unfortunately, calipers are only as accurate as:
1. the number of readings you do (7 site is more accurate than a 3 site measure)
2. the skill of the person using the calipers (if they were not doing them well, you may as well have waved a crystal over your head)
If you want a bit of an eye opener as to what a REAL person of 20% BF looks like, read this thread: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=123726731

With regards to the measurements - this is simply another way to estimate your bodyfat %. eg:
http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/body-fat-percentage-calculator
http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/home-body-fat-test-2774-143.html
They are usually very inaccurate as it doesn't take into consideration variation in bone frame etc etc....

If you really want an accurate measure you are best getting a DEXA scan done.... You could also post up pics, and we can give you visual estimates...

But, honestly, why does it matter what the % EXACTLY is? You know you want to lose weight, right? So start with the basics:
- eat less
- more more
- rest enough
^^ if you do it right, you'll lose a higher % of fat (and not too much lean mass) <-- and you'll look better and feel better. And THAT is what you ultimately should be aiming for, not a 'number'. ;)

Yep that last link has me at 21.3% BF makes me lol. The first one has me at between 25 and 30% which is more realistic.

[synthika]

ok been so long but I did the two you have on here and yeah the one link had me at 28.8% the other had me at 32.80% - 40.03%...
If your able to check out my page and let me know what you think with me new pic...
but the pic is a little off, the pic i was 166-170 and I am now 162-165.
I am thinking maybe estimation of me being 35.5%... I don't really care but I am curious. ^^ so thanks again! for the links!

[freebirdmac]

I'd completely forget body fat numbers. Unless you can have a dexa scan periodically it's not worth trying to measure or track. Simply use progress picts, measurements, and how clothes fit.