Body Fat % - What is it, and how to measure it!

[kittenesque]

Not the best photos, but the best I could do at the moment~ )

[ThatGalZoey]

Finally. Something that actually presents body fat analysis in a way that can be easily understood by a complete beginner. The first time I tried to stody body fat, things got way too complicated. I like the analogies that you used here. I know it's already too long or too late, but really, thanks for this.

[Emma-Leigh]

No worries.

[hellokatie1618]

This is cool. I don't really care what my body fat percentage is as long as I think I look good. But this is great for people who need to know or who are curious.

[liftette]

Sorry I just have this photo.

[Emma-Leigh]

Sorry I just have this photo.

Anything between 15% and 45%

Seriously though - showing half an off centre abs shot is like showing us one line in a novel and asking us to comment on the story line.
If you want a semi-accurate guess we need Full body shots. Back / front / side.

[liftette]

Anything between 15% and 45%

Seriously though - showing half an off centre abs shot is like showing us one line in a novel and asking us to comment on the story line.
If you want a semi-accurate guess we need Full body shots. Back / front / side.

LOL, sorry, here are three

[hfegan]

Fantastic post Emma.

I just wanted to add on that women have a tendency to underestimate their bodyfat percentage. I had a DEXA scan done a few years ago and at that time, I was fairly lean, with visible abdominal muscle, lats and rear deltoids. I estimated my body fat at approx 17-18% and was quite upset when my DEXA results showed 23%. My abdominal region was only 16% but my chunky lower body brought the average down...

I had a bodpod reading done 2 months ago and had the same results. From a handheld reader, I was at 14% BF and the bodpod results showed 23%! Bloomington, IL can get these readings done at the ISU Physiology Lab for about $45.

[Agnieszka1981]

Great post. Thanks. I am still little bit confused. I have diffrent readings of BF on different devices.... While measured by instructor in the gym with electronic caliper, reading showed above 13% BF. On my scale at home - 21%, on hand held device - 26%!!!! I don't believe 13% is anywhre near accurate result, as I am not athletic build... I have bought the same calipers that they have in the gym, so I am going to learn to take measurements correctly and will compare with other readings... anyone can suggest how to measure BF accurately? Thanks you

[Emma-Leigh]

Great post. Thanks. I am still little bit confused. I have diffrent readings of BF on different devices.... While measured by instructor in the gym with electronic caliper, reading showed above 13% BF. On my scale at home - 21%, on hand held device - 26%!!!! I don't believe 13% is anywhre near accurate result, as I am not athletic build... I have bought the same calipers that they have in the gym, so I am going to learn to take measurements correctly and will compare with other readings... anyone can suggest how to measure BF accurately? Thanks you

DEXA scan = the most accurate measurement that is readily available.

[JosephJackman]

I have done the Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA) - with electrode points on the soles of my feet and my hand so I assume its measuring whole body fat.
The results came out that I have 13% fat!
I am around 5ft 3 in tall and 125lb in weight...
and 13% fat content certainly doesn't sound right to me...

We must consult to the right nutritionist.Who guides you for the balanced diet and healthy eating habits.

[amiaow]

Hi everyone,

I'd like a body fat estimate if you could please. I've been lifting weights and doing Jamie Eason's LiveFit Trainer for five weeks and am really happy with the changes I've seen so far. However, my scale tells me that I am between 25.3 and 26.8% BF depending on its mood

I was a volunteer for an ISAK anthropometry course yesterday and was measured by the instructor/assessor. My results for that came out at 18.8% (Yuhasz method) which is obviously very different to the scale. I put the skinfold measurements into some different online calculators and get around 21-22%. Next step is to go for a DEXA scan, but for now an estimate will do...

I am 29 years, 181cm tall and I weigh 75kg.

Thank you!

[Sanchica27]

I just ordered the body fat scale from eat smart on amazon, it comes on Tuesday. I know it most likely will not be accurate but I have a lot to lose so I plan on using it to keep track of my progress

[CLeslie88]

Great thread. I'm booked in for my dexa scan in December. Can't wait to get the results as I have no idea what my body fat % is.

[sayuri1]

BMI helps a lot!!

[Sneza]

I just ordered the body fat scale from eat smart on amazon, it comes on Tuesday. I know it most likely will not be accurate but I have a lot to lose so I plan on using it to keep track of my progress

I ordered mine yesterday as well

love this post

[veeeryyy]

I,
Today i went to see a trainer at my gym so he can take my body fat % with caliper. He took those measurements:
Cheek, chin, upper back, lower back, pects, biceps, triceps, quads,hamstring, calf and knee. Is is too much measurements? You said if was supposed to be max 7..
Another question.. When he took it he wanted my muscles to be relaxed. My last trainer wanted me to flex my muscles when he was taking my measurments... Which one is right? My BF was at 19%.. And im pretty sure it was a mistake cause i train everyday 1-3 hours , eat clean and i never been that lean...!
What do you think?

[rutka]

I,
Today i went to see a trainer at my gym so he can take my body fat % with caliper. He took those measurements:
Cheek, chin, upper back, lower back, pects, biceps, triceps, quads,hamstring, calf and knee. Is is too much measurements? You said if was supposed to be max 7..
Another question.. When he took it he wanted my muscles to be relaxed. My last trainer wanted me to flex my muscles when he was taking my measurments... Which one is right? My BF was at 19%.. And im pretty sure it was a mistake cause i train everyday 1-3 hours , eat clean and i never been that lean...!
What do you think?

no, its not too much-more measurement, more accurate is %. I wouldnt flex muscle when take measurements and try to take them the same time, lets say every week, saturday morning or whichever is best for you.
I use Parillo method, simply enter measurements and will get results here w ww.linear-software.com/online

[Zoriana]

Ladies,
I just had my DEXA scan couple weeks ago. I am 31 y.o., 60 kg, 173 cm.
The measured BF is 25.7% (OMG!!!)

[GymJunkieTasha]

I can't seem to get my body fat fat measured in the area I live...So please could you help me to get an estimate of my body fat percentage? I would be really thankful if you can do that

I'm 24 years old, 5'3" and weight 120lbs

[lola32]

Great Post!

I had my measurements done last week and in 12 weeks i had gone from 28.4 BF to 29.3 BF and weight has gone from 61.6 to 63.4. I was quite shattered to know that i had jumped up in my BF as i know i had been eating correctly and training hard. In saying that I'ma curvy and have a above average size DD-E bust and it'll be hard to get the BF down.

The other problem was my PT had used scales to measure my BF as well as a measure tape- i had always wondered how accurate it was.

It has discouraged me a bit but after reading this i know that i shouldn't freak out as much. Thanks

[megdaig]

Great Post!

I had my measurements done last week and in 12 weeks i had gone from 28.4 BF to 29.3 BF and weight has gone from 61.6 to 63.4. I was quite shattered to know that i had jumped up in my BF as i know i had been eating correctly and training hard. In saying that I'ma curvy and have a above average size DD-E bust and it'll be hard to get the BF down.

The other problem was my PT had used scales to measure my BF as well as a measure tape- i had always wondered how accurate it was.

It has discouraged me a bit but after reading this i know that i shouldn't freak out as much. Thanks

Tape is likely the least accurate of all the methods so don't be discouraged. If the tape was even just a few centimeters off from the last time they measured that'll make quite a difference in the circumference and calculation.

True if you have "larger ladies" that you might not be able to get the BF% down low if you maintain your fat there and they stay, but that's the most desirable storage location How you look will be determined by how your body distributes the body fat. The ladies could stay or they could go.

[lola32]

Tape is likely the least accurate of all the methods so don't be discouraged. If the tape was even just a few centimeters off from the last time they measured that'll make quite a difference in the circumference and calculation.

True if you have "larger ladies" that you might not be able to get the BF% down low if you maintain your fat there and they stay, but that's the most desirable storage location How you look will be determined by how your body distributes the body fat. The ladies could stay or they could go.

So far the "ladies"have decided to grow an extra 2cm's I just hope they dont continue in this pattern as I don't want them to get bigger. It seems the only place that wants to shrink is my glutes. So it looks like more squats to make that part grow.

[megdaig]

So far the "ladies"have decided to grow an extra 2cm's I just hope they dont continue in this pattern as I don't want them to get bigger. It seems the only place that wants to shrink is my glutes. So it looks like more squats to make that part grow.

Yeah more squats! It's good that your glutes are leaning out...that's my stubborn spot.

[melanielittle]

Thanks this is very helpful! where does one go to get these types of tests? The gym?

[ilysfm]

A really insightful post, I would love to get an appraisal as to my own % just so I know where I am and what I should be aiming for.

[discdoggie]

A really insightful post, I would love to get an appraisal as to my own % just so I know where I am and what I should be aiming for.

There is nothing that these numbers can tell you that the mirror and pictures can't. Seriously. It's just a number. Look in the mirror or at pics of yourselF. Want less fat? Eat less.

[monikar]

Hi guys!

I am new here and was really curious if anyone would be able to estimate my body fat percentage from the photo in the link below?

My height is 5'1
Weight in a photo on a left side: 145lbs
Weight in a photo on a right side: 116lbs

These are my old photos, after achieving my goal I got back to 132lbs (26% body fat according to foot and hand electrodes).

For 10 weeks now I am exercising and eating healthy, hoping to get in shape and be able to keep it this time.

Just wondering how far I went last time.

Thank you

[Middlewt]

Getting BodPod done, hopefully this week! Can't wait and at the same time dreading it! LOL

[cbd88]

wish I could afford a bod pod test