Accurate Body Fat Measurement -- a bit of a grasp?

[TorontoBruce]

So, several weeks ago, my (ex) trainer measured my body fat using a handheld device, at 19.4%. When I switched to my new gym two weeks ago, it was measured at 16% using a stand-on combination weigh scale and BF calculator. Both types wer manufactured by what seems to be the most common brand -- Tenna I think (escapes my memory at the moment) No, I hadn't changed in that time. But for the second check-in, the stand-on scale had not just height, weight, age settings, but the option to adjust for "athletic" or whatever, that the handheld did not.

It's left me wondering what my Actual BF is!

Seems to me indicative that perhaps unless you're in a clinical setting with highly sophisicated equipment, anything else is just an approximation and possibly rather inaccurate.

A bit frustrating, non?

(PS: I'm aware that things such as hydration level affects the reading.)

[rob440]

So, several weeks ago, my (ex) trainer measured my body fat using a handheld device, at 19.4%. When I switched to my new gym two weeks ago, it was measured at 16% using a stand-on combination weigh scale and BF calculator. Both types wer manufactured by what seems to be the most common brand -- Tenna I think (escapes my memory at the moment) No, I hadn't changed in that time. But for the second check-in, the stand-on scale had not just height, weight, age settings, but the option to adjust for "athletic" or whatever, that the handheld did not.

It's left me wondering what my Actual BF is!

Seems to me indicative that perhaps unless you're in a clinical setting with highly sophisicated equipment, anything else is just an approximation and possibly rather inaccurate.

A bit frustrating, non?

(PS: I'm aware that things such as hydration level affects the reading.)

If you are curious you might find a university willing to hydrostaticly (under water) weigh you. That is one of the most accurate ways I know of.

Otherwise buy your own calipers and do your own measurements because once you become consistent with the method you will be able to directly compare your readings. Have 10 different people do it and you will likely get 10 different readings.

[*STEVE*]

I have an Omron hand held bf analyzer and take every reading with a grain of salt. Water / bloating / how soon after a meal will affect its readings. I use it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach ... I dont trust it but if I do everything spot on every 2 weeks I will see a decrease in bf %. Lately Ive been having my bf tested at my gym with calipers.


Bod pod is prob the best with calipers being another ( better than hand held electric devices ) option.

The easiest to use the mirror !

[bobbyt321]

I have Omron and calipers. I trust the calipers more - like Steve said I take the Omron results likely but they can be used as a unit of measure if readings are taken consistent to show gain or loss. My bathroom scale took a dump yesterday so I bought a new one that measures weight, BF and BMI all at the same time. This morning I was 162 lbs., 37.7% BF and 24.5 BMI - lol, glad I did at least check the accuracy of the weight.

[chodan9]

body pod I think is the current gold standard
but I think getting a multi point caliper reading (on 5-9 different points throughout the body and averaging them) would be cheaper and almost as accurate.

[themyth2009]

I get my tested at gym using 7 point calipers by the same person so at least I know it is consistent.

[*STEVE*]

My bathroom scale took a dump yesterday

lulz

[acwild]

Calipers are the most inexpensive way to get a close to accurate reading.

Keep in mind, if you have two different trainers using two different sets of calipers two weeks apart, there is going to be a variance there. There also can be slight changes if you are pumped up from a hard workout, where exactly the trainer grabs the skin, the time of day, amount of water you drank or didn't drink, etc.

You're most likely somewhere between 16% and 19% body fat.

If you really want a balls-on accurate body fat measurement, you'll need to find a clinic or school with a water tank test (as mentioned).

Edited to add: It's called a Hydrostatic Body Fat Test.

Basically, they will weigh you, then submerge you in a tank of water, since fat floats, they weigh you under water and subtract the difference.

[eddied27]

http://www.bodpod.com/home

IMO....worth the money!! Cost me $60 and plan to do it every 3 months to track my weight/bf%

Canadian Testing Centers

Body Comp Weight Analysis Centre
Body Science Health & Sport
Brock University
Canadian Sport Centre
Edmonton Police Services
Hospital for Sick Children
Iovate Health Sciences Research International
Laval University
McMaster University
Medcan Clinic
Sports Science Institute
St. Michael?s Hospital
University of Alberta
University of Guelph
University of Regina
University of Saskatchewan
University of Western Ontario

[ironwill2008]

As above, BodPod is the way to go these days, if you really need to know the number.

[gmaki]

Yeah I found a BodPod close to my house offering a "before and after" (2 readings) for $50. Can't beat it. I had my "before" done and plan to do them about every 3 months for awhile.

my self done caliper readings were embarrassingly inaccurate.

[ScubaDave]

Just don't forget that hydrostatic testing is at best, 1.5-2% inaccurate. Best value for money IMO calipers, done by the same person on a regular basis.

[older2533]

One thing about the BodPod, at least for me, is that it simply comes up with a way bigger number than calipers, so if you care about the absolute number, not just the change, this matters.

I was tested last July and the BodPod said 26%. So I lost ten more pounds and lifted for 7 months and was retested. This time the BodPod said 21.6%, which still seemed high. So I asked the technician to do a caliper test. She swore she did it as carefully as she could and that she was trained and experienced for calipers. Further, she already had the BodPod number where she was the technician so I would assume she would want the two readings to agree so that she wouldn't look like she made a mistake with either the BodPod or the calipers. Anyway the calipers came to 15.3%. That is a huge, huge difference. She basically said this wasn't uncommon. In her experience, the BodPod always comes in with a significantly higher BF% than calipers.

[peter03]

I gave up on actual BF%. If my pants falls off my ass I am on the right path.

[TorontoBruce]

I gave up on actual BF%. If my pants falls off my ass I am on the right path.

I'm using clothing as my most important measurement. That and the mirror. The diff in the two BF measurements I got made me curious about how to get a true reading, tho.

Thanks for all the replies.

[-=FLEX=-]

I gave up on actual BF%.

I'm at about that point too.

I have one of those digital scales that measure it, and it fluctuates between 30 and 32% and has since I started training 8 weeks ago.

I have a good sized beer belly but it's been reduced considerably since I started training, and I don't have any significant fat anywhere else on my body, so I just don't get it.

I was looking at pics on the weekend of people with different body fat percentages and I don't look like the one for 30% bodyfat. Not even close.

-=FLEX=-

[themyth2009]

I'm at about that point too.

I have one of those digital scales that measure it, and it fluctuates between 30 and 32% and has since I started training 8 weeks ago.

I have a good sized beer belly but it's been reduced considerably since I started training, and I don't have any significant fat anywhere else on my body, so I just don't get it.

I was looking at pics on the weekend of people with different body fat percentages and I don't look like the one for 30% bodyfat. Not even close.

-=FLEX=-

For a digital scale if I dont use an athletic setting it gives a very high reading. I took it first thiing in the morning as well just for consistent measure. Mine was pretty close to calpier readings.

It really does not matter what the % is as long as the method used to measure is consistent.

I have to say most people way underestimate their BF% based upon my years at this site.

[-=FLEX=-]

I have to say most people way underestimate their BF% based upon my years at this site.

Do me a favor and check out my last progress pic in my profile and tell me what you think my bodyfat is realistically. It's just over 2 weeks old and I've lost a couple pounds since then, but I'm not uploading another progress pic for 2 more weeks.

Thanks.

-=FLEX=-

PS: I do have my scale set to the "Athletic" setting.

[themyth2009]

Do me a favor and check out my last progress pic in my profile and tell me what you think my bodyfat is realistically. It's just over 2 weeks old and I've lost a couple pounds since then, but I'm not uploading another progress pic for 2 more weeks.

Thanks.

-=FLEX=-

PS: I do have my scale set to the "Athletic" setting.

Be hard for me to judge since we have very different body types and I have never been over 14% since I have gotten mine tested on a regular basis. I would say over 20% for sure though. You do have lots of muscle mass which makes it even harder to judge. For me at least since I am scrawy by comparison.

[-=FLEX=-]

I would say over 20% for sure though. You do have lots of muscle mass which makes it even harder to judge. For me at least since I am scrawy by comparison.

I agree I'm over 20 for sure, but 32 is a tad hard for me to believe.

Thanks for taking the time to look and post back.

I'd rep ya for that but I gotta spread some around a bit before I can.

-=FLEX=-

[Rackatak]

I agree I'm over 20 for sure, but 32 is a tad hard for me to believe.

Thanks for taking the time to look and post back.

I'd rep ya for that but I gotta spread some around a bit before I can.

-=FLEX=-

Check my profile...my last progress picture is at 25.6% determined by dunking. My handheld consistently said 20.5%.

[bebeklein]

I agree I'm over 20 for sure, but 32 is a tad hard for me to believe.

Thanks for taking the time to look and post back.

I'd rep ya for that but I gotta spread some around a bit before I can.

-=FLEX=-

Leigh Peele did a good 30 minute video on visual estimates of BF %s which is worth checking out; http://www.blip.tv/file/1194412/

For the shorter version, check out her pictorial blurb http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-p...nd-percentages

[BBLou]

I use an inexpensive set of calipers using the 3 skinfold measurement. I measure once a week as soon as I get up in the morning so my measurement method is consistent...

[-=FLEX=-]

For the shorter version, check out her pictorial blurb http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-p...nd-percentages

I looked at that on the weekend, and that's what got me thinking. I know I have a belly, but I have a lot of muscle mass too. The pic of the dude with 30% bodyfat had a HUGE belly and almost no muscle mass.

-=FLEX=-

[waldopepper]

I know I'm in the minority here but I really like my Omron.

When I stand on my bathroom scales and it says 175lbs then an hour later I go to the Dr. office and use a sliding weight scale and it says 178lbs how do I know which one is right? I really can't know which one is right. And I think it's the same with the Omron vs calipers or BodPod. I don't know for sure that my Omron is calculating my BF percentage accurately but as long as the readings are headed in the right direction then I know I'm on the right path. I use mine after getting rid of all the waste that has built up overnight (trying not to be too graphic) and before I eat or drink anything. I stand in the exact same spot on a tile floor with my arms raised exactly parallel. The readings have always been as expected. If I didn't get much exercise the day before and/or I ate bad food, my BF will go up a couple tenths of a percent. Likewise, if I exercised vigourously and ate right it goes down a couple tenths of a percent. I never get any wild readings as long as I follow the exact same routine.

I also like it because it's extremely easy and fast to use.

Lastly, the technology seems decent. Omron says "Hydrodensitometry, or underwater weighing, has been the established method for accurate evaluation of body composition. Omron has used research information from several hundred people using the underwater method to develop the formula by which the Fat Loss Monitor works. The body fat mass and body fat percent is calculated by a formula that includes five factors: electric resistance, height, weight, age, and gender."

I really like using the Omron better than the scales because it gives me a better idea what's really going on inside me.

[gmaki]

I know I'm in the minority here but I really like my Omron.

When I stand on my bathroom scales and it says 175lbs then an hour later I go to the Dr. office and use a sliding weight scale and it says 178lbs how do I know which one is right? I really can't know which one is right.

Uhh... The Dr Scale is right.

[Frank87]

Both scales may be right, depending on what you did in between.

If you weigh ~175, fluctuations of weight from 3-5 lbs in a few hours is not uncommon.

Don't get so stuck on a number, unless you're competing. Focus on the progression and relative change over time.