How much do you suck your stomach in when measuring waist?

[jhokie]

Ridiculous question I know, but I've never seen it answered.

A) Let it hang out all the way
B) Suck in to the same level you walk around in all day (for me standing up straight with a slight suck-in)
c) Suck in all the way

I do B. I would assume most people would do B as well.

[th3pwn3r]

Ridiculous question I know, but I've never seen it answered.

A) Let it hang out all the way
B) Suck in to the same level you walk around in all day (for me standing up straight with a slight suck-in)
c) Suck in all the way

I do B. I would assume most people would do B as well.

I don't ever suck it in when I walk around. I usually push it out if I'm going to measure up =/

[JeffDona]

I do option B

[Jaek]

i do a

[SpaceButler]

Ridiculous question I know, but I've never seen it answered.

A) Let it hang out all the way
B) Suck in to the same level you walk around in all day (for me standing up straight with a slight suck-in)
c) Suck in all the way

I do B. I would assume most people would do B as well.

What's the point of even measuring then? Might as well pad your bicep while measuring.

Not trying to be rude, but wouldn't you just want accuracy when measuring?

[Vietgoboi]

i do a

Same here ^

[jhokie]

What's the point of even measuring then? Might as well pad your bicep while measuring.

Not trying to be rude, but wouldn't you just want accuracy when measuring?

Well, since it's the same posture I hold myself in all day every day, it kinda makes sense to use it for measuring. It's at the very least consistent.

[SpaceButler]

Well, since it's the same posture I hold myself in all day every day, it kinda makes sense to use it for measuring. It's at the very least consistent.

Fair enough. I guess my issue with doing it that way is that leaving it to yourself to suck it in the same every time is going to make it much harder to get precise readings than if you were just relaxed. But I suppose it's all about what you're measuring for.

[Kamaitachi]

B.
Also, do NOT look at your measuring tape while taking the measurement. look away and clip the other end with your fingernail or something.
Otherwise you'll see the number and tuck in your tummy even more..
Know what i mean?

[Atropa]

A WTF is the use of measuring if your going to suck it in?

[Dramatic]

As long as you're consistent it doesn't matter. You're probably not gonna get an accurate reading, but at least you'll know if you're making progress.

[barkadark]

I just self-conciously suck in without even intentionally doing it, like letting it all hang out for a measurement almost seems weird. Sometimes after I workout my abs are just like contracting. I havent really been doing measurements, I just having to keep putting holes in my belt.

[Veteq]

I use my normal every day posture, why would I do anything else?

[boogiepop]

To anyone answering anything but A: do you also step on a scale with only half your body?

[94jettameowpsst]

How do you do this test accurately if you acquire most of your bf % LITERALLY at your midsection? (Serious question)


And i sort of suck it in, i have an innertube around my midsection, my arms are vascular, my back is cut, and there is definitely separation (slight) in my quads, but i am nowhere even close to a 6 pack. Just wondering

[seriouslifter]

blow all the air out and then measure

[Deonesion]

To anyone answering anything but A: do you also step on a scale with only half your body?

To anyone criticizing anyone who answers anything but A: you do realize that even a relaxed, "hang it all out" posture can be just as accurate as B or C since you're measuring consistency across a timeframe, right? What's being measured is change in abdominal body fat as a result of body recomp efforts, not your fixed pantsize before heading off to Macy's.

[jar_lou]

do you use a limp bicept to measure it around?? I am not sure of the correct way to measure your waist. But I know generally when people measure their arms, they flex.. Is it not the same for any other part of your body?

[Arnoldfan]

Ridiculous question I know, but I've never seen it answered.

A) Let it hang out all the way
B) Suck in to the same level you walk around in all day (for me standing up straight with a slight suck-in)
c) Suck in all the way

I do B. I would assume most people would do B as well.

Are you kidding?!

Just because you have to resort to "sucking it in" during the day doesn't mean you shouldn't want an accurate measurement of your waist. I'm assuming you don't want to have to suck it in, right? You're wanting to lose it? Well, how will you know if you're losing it if you cheat when measuring?

I have a gut that I'm trying to lose, too. My ultimate goal is a six-pack again. When I reach my goal, I shouldn't have to suck in anything - it'll all be flat. So, for now when I measure I don't measure at the beltline; I measure where the largest girth is, which is my bellybutton, and I relax and let it all hang out. When my bellybutton-measurement is the same as my beltline-measurement, I know that I've reached a big milestone, and hopefully - my goal.

[GymZombie]

Wow, some dramatic differences in opinion here. Fun!

My stomach changes up to 6 inches depending on where I am in my breath, so I think the question is very important.

What's the point of even measuring then? Might as well pad your bicep while measuring.

Not trying to be rude, but wouldn't you just want accuracy when measuring?

Also not trying to be rude, but you don't breathe with your arm, so I think the question is still valid. Arms are pretty cut and dry... Flexed or relaxed.

To anyone answering anything but A: do you also step on a scale with only half your body?

I don't think that's a valid analogy... He didn't say "measure half your waist". I thing a better analogy would be "do you step on the scale after eating a large meal, drinking lots of water, and not having used the bathroom in a long time". The point being that your stomach changes size multiple times an minute, much like your weight changes multiple times a day.

do you use a limp bicept to measure it around?? I am not sure of the correct way to measure your waist. But I know generally when people measure their arms, they flex.. Is it not the same for any other part of your body?

Well, if you watch the "Measure your upper arm" video, it specifically says not to flex.


As for me, I agree with Dramatic. Be consistent. I go for option B and try to duplicate my normal walking-around stomach. Don't see the sense in sucking in nor letting out.

[Huberus]

Measuring with my gut pushed out or relaxed isnt an accurate measurement or portrayal of how I look.

Letting it hang out is going to be different every time. You relax it then you can always relax that little bit more.

I walk around semi tensed all day anyway without trying to, its just the way I am. I measure that, its always the same and its a solid portrayal of how I look to everybody else.

[jar_lou]

Well, if you watch the "Measure your upper arm" video, it specifically says not to flex.



video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=flex+to+measure+bicep&um=1&ie= UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv#q=measure+biceps&hl=en&emb=0

bodybuilders flex....

[BuddyBuilder]

so what s the realy answer here

[RaveBDK]

Ridiculous question I know, but I've never seen it answered.

A) Let it hang out all the way
B) Suck in to the same level you walk around in all day (for me standing up straight with a slight suck-in)
c) Suck in all the way

I do B. I would assume most people would do B as well.

...I dont ever suck in when im walking around....and when i measure...it make sure its relaxed...like normal....

.....dont try to cheat your measurements...its pointless

[rusrious]

I suck it in, and measure after a bowl movement. Look, you can suck it in as far as possible. So, if you measure again next week, Suckin it in, and you lost inches, you know, that you lost inches, cuase you can only pull it in so far.. But when you extend your stomach, your strech it out to begin with, which dont help strechmarks much.

If your losing fat, it comes off in perfect layers. So if your positivly measuring, suckin it in, your going to get a definite measument each and every time..

Suck it in, and measure right over the belly buton, and get he tape on the love handles.

Theres your measurement.

Flame me, but it makes sense.

[slightlines]

It seems to me that you can't compress fat, but you can pull muscle in to show more accurate fat measurement.

[cablesbrah]

My waist is actually smaller when I push out, u mad?

[moore93]

A always.

Most consistent.

Edit: Holy necro thread.

[Determinednoob]

Nice necro. I'll reply by saying I suck in til I'm red in the face and then I go do quarter squats on a smith machine

[justinvb_657]

Iv always just flexed my nonvisible abs like I would any other muscle. Like others say though repetition would be key