Estimate a skinny fat's body fat, story inside

[Ifart2]

I have been on an off lifting for a couple year now. Jumping from program to program, spinning my wheels. I am finally starting to get a grip on dieting, calorie and macro tracking. Have what I think is a solid strength training program (5/3/1). The problem I am having is my body fat % now. Looking for your estimates and advice. The confusion comes from two methods of measurements. I have a fat percentage scale at home that is telling me one thing and had a Dexa scan done and it was telling a percentage that was way different. What do you guys think?

I am 5'8", 153 lbs

[codsterlaing95]

I have been on an off lifting for a couple year now. Jumping from program to program, spinning my wheels. I am finally starting to get a grip on dieting, calorie and macro tracking. Have what I think is a solid strength training program (5/3/1). The problem I am having is my body fat % now. Looking for your estimates and advice. The confusion comes from two methods of measurements. I have a fat percentage scale at home that is telling me one thing and had a Dexa scan done and it was telling a percentage that was way different. What do you guys think?

I am 5'8", 153 lbs

Looks to be about 16-18%. What number did the DEXA reveal?

[Ifart2]

Looks to be about 16-18%. What number did the DEXA reveal?

24%...couldn't believe my eyes

[Ifart2]

bump for the late night crew. Need your expert estimates guyz

[Adamsmith692]

20%

[JudgeHolden20]

20-21%

[amw9490]

20-21%

This.

[hankst]

24%...couldn't believe my eyes

Does not look too far off. People here vastly underestimate bodyfat.
"You can see abs = you're at 13%, bro" is thrown around everywhere, ugh.

But in the end, what does it matter? Diet until you're satisfied with your looks, and ignore bf% or the scale for now. People carry fat differently; my training partner is strong as an ox and easily 25% bodyfat, but his fat distribution is so even that you'd never guess, while I am pretty lean and still have a (what I perceive to be) fat ass.

Also:
- screw 5/3/1 for beginners (monthly progress = no bueno, you can make progress faster on programs tailored to beginners)
- if you want to look like a physique athlete, train like one, and not like a power lifter (for the one or two years of your career, anyway)
- diet down until lean; while you will look like a twig in clothes, you will have a better base for building muscle (being lean = better test, better p-ratio)

[Ifart2]

20%

20-21%

This.

Does not look too far off. People here vastly underestimate bodyfat.
"You can see abs = you're at 13%, bro" is thrown around everywhere, ugh.

But in the end, what does it matter? Diet until you're satisfied with your looks, and ignore bf% or the scale for now. People carry fat differently; my training partner is strong as an ox and easily 25% bodyfat, but his fat distribution is so even that you'd never guess, while I am pretty lean and still have a (what I perceive to be) fat ass.

Also:
- screw 5/3/1 for beginners (monthly progress = no bueno, you can make progress faster on programs tailored to beginners)
- if you want to look like a physique athlete, train like one, and not like a power lifter (for the one or two years of your career, anyway)
- diet down until lean; while you will look like a twig in clothes, you will have a better base for building muscle (being lean = better test, better p-ratio)

Thanks all for your inputs. I had vastly underestimated my body fat especially with my home fat% scale telling me I was at 13%. I have now adjusted my macros/calories to cut down to 10% by end of summer and plan to slow bulk from there. Yes, I am going to look skinny as fuk but thats okay.

Regarding the 5/3/1, it is working out for me for building strength. I have tried the other beginners programs like rippetoe, 5 by 5 and I just couldn't keep up with the required increments. I just don't have the genetics for it. If I feel I can make faster progress, I can adjust the increments to fit my needs.

[Sparta11]

I think anywhere from 20% - 22%...leaning slightly towards 22ish