Your BF%, Your Method, Your Pic

[jackfit]

A BF reference thread

BF 15.4%, Omoron 500 Body Composition Scale

[mavrick77]

thoose scales do not work....your bodyfat is significantly lower then that...they are not intended for bodybuilders, most even say it in the directions

[jackfit]

Originally Posted by mavrick77

thoose scales do not work....your bodyfat is significantly lower then that...they are not intended for bodybuilders, most even say it in the directions

Thanks for the reply -- I figured as much (unreliability of certain methods). I was hoping if enough people responded, we can all get a better reference point, and find the most accurate methods of measurement.

[mavrick77]

most accurate method is underwater weighing along with barometric pressure pods.....after that , comes calipers...they can be off as much as 2%, and also depends on the person who is using them.

underwater weighing and/or bara pressure can be done at some specialty gyms and most universities...around here they cost around 75-100

[beancntr]

I use an electronic bf caliper. I don't think it is the most accurate but it seems to be pretty consistent so I use it to track progress more than anything. Last measurement said 11%. I took the attached pics right after (flexing). I'm thinking I'm closer to 12 or 13%. What do you guys think?

[mavrick77]

Originally Posted by beancntr

I use an electronic bf caliper. I don't think it is the most accurate but it seems to be pretty consistent so I use it to track progress more than anything. Last measurement said 11%. I took the attached pics right after (flexing). I'm thinking I'm closer to 12 or 13%. What do you guys think?

I think you might be a bit higher..but honestly its hard to tell....your very thin so that throws me off a bit. not trying to be rude.

[Capt_Lou]

Originally Posted by mavrick77

most accurate method is underwater weighing along with barometric pressure pods.....after that , comes calipers...they can be off as much as 2%, and also depends on the person who is using them.

underwater weighing and/or bara pressure can be done at some specialty gyms and most universities...around here they cost around 75-100

I was just looking into this for when I complete my cut. Found this at THE Ohio State university and I know that you are a couple hours away

http://ehe.osu.edu/paes/exercisescie...s/bodycomp.cfm

[beancntr]

Originally Posted by mavrick77

I think you might be a bit higher..but honestly its hard to tell....your very thin so that throws me off a bit. not trying to be rude.

Not rude at all. I'll take "thin" over "fat ass" which is what I was a year ago. I'm thinking my caliper is off by about 1.5 to 2%. I am totally flexing in the picks and probably sucking it in a bit. I don't have any recent pics where I'm relaxed. I still think I'm about 12 to 13% in reality. I know the measurement right next to my belly button is what kills me. It's where I am still carrying the most fat.

Thanks for the input.

[beancntr]

Originally Posted by mavrick77

thoose scales do not work....your bodyfat is significantly lower then that...they are not intended for bodybuilders, most even say it in the directions

Agree with mavrick. You look significantly lower than 15+% to me too.

[mavrick77]

Originally Posted by Capt_Lou

I was just looking into this for when I complete my cut. Found this at THE Ohio State university and I know that you are a couple hours away

http://ehe.osu.edu/paes/exercisescie...s/bodycomp.cfm

thats where I had mine done when I went to school there....if I remember correctly it was 50 dollars, but that was awhile ago

[Bnk]

My electronic scale says 11-13%. I know these electronic scales are not accurate. I would be interested to hear what the experts think.

[markymark69]

10% Tanita scale ( dontknow the model off hand).
<<<pic.

The impedance is highly influenced by your hydration.

[ExCompetitor]

I always went by the mirror..never have checked bodyfat.

[jd1979]

my bf% scales say i'm 11.5% and i can't see any of my abs. they're wrong for sure!

[ygohome]

just got back from my local LifeTime Fitness gym... they took some measurements, weighed me, took note of my age... then they used some high end calipers that are electronic and connected to the computer. They pinched me near the belly button, on my thigh, chest area near arm pit and maybe one other place I can't remember.

9% body fat. I'm happy with that and I'm going to keep working at it to lower it for abs to show off more. cardio cardio cardio... cardio.

*edit: photo is dated april 6th 2009. I've been going every day three times a day with 20 min running each workout at 6.5mph with 5% incline. plus weights. I'll take a similar posed photo today to see if there is any noticable difference since that april 6th photo.

[mlandis]

12.3 Calibers with someone else taking the measurements.

[ntrllftr]

<<<<<<<< Have no idea and don't care.

All I know is that I came home with a trophy.
That's all that matters in the end to me.

.

[BJE]

Originally Posted by ygohome

They pinched me near the belly button, on my thigh, chest area near arm pit and maybe one other place I can't remember.

These are the same places I check with calipers. Calipers show 6-6.5%. I think it may be closer to 8-9% Any gueses?

[RBH58]

Originally Posted by jd1979

my bf% scales say i'm 11.5% and i can't see any of my abs. they're wrong for sure!

Most people's abs don't show until 10% (generalisation I know).

I can't really see my abs even at 6%. I just don't have good peaks and serrations in them...they are too flat. In my avatar shot 5 & 7 site caliper measurements put my bodyfat at 8.5%.

[QUOTE=BJE;318235991]These are the same places I check with calipers. Calipers show 6-6.5%. I think it may be closer to 8-9% Any gueses?

I'm guessing BJE that you are around 8%.

[halogenic]

I'm carrying too much BF. Electronic scales read over 26%, calipers read about 24%

[BJE]

Something I was just thinking about. The less lean body mass you have then the higher your bodyfat percentage would be even if you had the same amount of fat as a person with a higher lean body mass. In other words a person with 150lbs lean mass and 20lbs fat would have 11.7% bodyfat, and a person with 200lbs lean mass and 20lbs fat would have 9% bodyfat. So even though the fat layer would theoretically be the same on each person one has a higher percent fat. Therefore bodyfat percentage really isn't very comparable between two people. Kind of like scale weight isn't comparable when two people are different heights.

[JeffB]

Not proud of the number, but if you look at my profile progress pictures from January 8th 2009, you will see me at 27% BF. This was BodPod tested with lung volume correction. The BF test cost $50. They can then use an estimated lung volume factor or actually test your lung volume for another $25. Lung volume pretty much stays constant, so I can use the value for any future tests and just pay $50. I'm down 20+ lbs since then. Aiming to drop about another 15 to get to single digit BF%.

[Thunderman]

A Dead head huh? U played Rock Band??

Originally Posted by mlandis

12.3 Calibers with someone else taking the measurements.

[VixLife]

Originally Posted by Bnk

My electronic scale says 11-13%. I know these electronic scales are not accurate. I would be interested to hear what the experts think.

but I think you look pretty darned good. Sorry, what was the question?

[fibesdrummer]

This is a timely thread.

We are having a "Biggest Loser" competition at work. The goal is Body Fat loss and we will use a scale with electrodes that measures body fat...not weight (so Im told)

I am thinking of entering....I guess its better than nothing....but its seems true body fat is better measures in other ways.

Any idea on how I can WIN this competition?

[BrotherWolf]

Originally Posted by BJE

These are the same places I check with calipers. Calipers show 6-6.5%.

That much ?? I'd say half of that

[BrotherWolf]

Originally Posted by BJE

Something I was just thinking about. The less lean body mass you have then the higher your bodyfat percentage would be even if you had the same amount of fat as a person with a higher lean body mass. In other words a person with 150lbs lean mass and 20lbs fat would have 11.7% bodyfat, and a person with 200lbs lean mass and 20lbs fat would have 9% bodyfat. So even though the fat layer would theoretically be the same on each person one has a higher percent fat. Therefore bodyfat percentage really isn't very comparable between two people. Kind of like scale weight isn't comparable when two people are different heights.

That is exactly how it is ..

[ygohome]

Originally Posted by ygohome

just got back from my local LifeTime Fitness gym... they took some measurements, weighed me, took note of my age... then they used some high end calipers that are electronic and connected to the computer. They pinched me near the belly button, on my thigh, chest area near arm pit and maybe one other place I can't remember.

9% body fat. I'm happy with that and I'm going to keep working at it to lower it for abs to show off more. cardio cardio cardio... cardio.

*edit: photo is dated april 6th 2009. I've been going every day three times a day with 20 min running each workout at 6.5mph with 5% incline. plus weights. I'll take a similar posed photo today to see if there is any noticable difference since that april 6th photo.

here are two newer photos from this morning to compare to the photo I posted earlier in this thread. The earlier photo was from the beginning of this month. My right knee has started to ache a little so I'm going to take it easy on the cardio until that fully heals. That will affect my progress I'm afraid but better to be careful than blow out my knees. The BF % isn't a super important number but I'm going to use it to help me track my progress along with weight and tape measurements.

[BJE]

Originally Posted by BrotherWolf

That much ?? I'd say half of that

Do you really think so? A while back I used a bodyfat scale that has handles you also hold. It said over 12%. I thought that was too high.

[Clif]

My $.02..... unless you?re competing why worry? I used it to try and time my peak for a show. ?after trying/buying way to many I found a standard caliber measuring the 3, the 4 and the 7 points then doing an average to be the most constant for me and being little to no use after 5% I have read time and time again you should be able to see abs around 10%