Best tool, gadget, scales to measure % body fat

grl82

Hello all,

As I don't have much weight to lose and am trying to lose a few kilos before I move to toning up and weights I am getting more interested in my % body fat rather than my overall weight.

What is the most accurate way to measure % body fat - fancy scales? calipers etc.

Many thanks

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Jenny_Aguayo

macphd12345 wrote: »

Hello all,

As I don't have much weight to lose and am trying to lose a few kilos before I move to toning up and weights I am getting more interested in my % body fat rather than my overall weight.

What is the most accurate way to measure % body fat - fancy scales? calipers etc.

Many thanks

Its kinda obvious a weighing machine.

grl82

Won't a weighing machine just give me my weight?

CdnRower

The best calipers are the Slim Guide brand. Use the 7 measurement formula for greatest accuracy.

grl82

Thanks for the post CdnRower! Much appreciated

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Jenny_Aguayo

AlondraJim wrote: »

macphd12345 wrote: »

Won't a weighing machine just give me my weight?

not if you buy the cool new ones

Of course I got the new cool one

Francl27

Those weighing machines are not accurate.

The only accurate way is an expensive test where they put you in water... the rest is pretty much guesswork. Calipers are nice and all but when you start having loose skin like me, I don't think it's very accurate either.

grl82

Thank you FrancI27. I may have a look around to see if there is such a test place near me. I would like to do it once now and maybe again in a year to see any change

TeaBea

macphd12345 wrote: »

Hello all,

As I don't have much weight to lose and am trying to lose a few kilos before I move to toning up and weights I am getting more interested in my % body fat rather than my overall weight.

What is the most accurate way to measure % body fat - fancy scales? calipers etc.

Many thanks

Weight training is also good when trying to lose weight. This helps you retain more lean muscle. You can lose a higher percentage of fat to muscle if you strength train now.

philwrightfitness

Dexa body scan about £80 pounds in uk , Google it many universities provide the service, the only really accurate measurement of body fat , it isn't cheap but if you do it twice a year not much more than investing in the best scales which don't even come close otherwise calipers and a mirror!

jacksonpt

There is no best, at least not that you can do yourself/at home. Go by measurements and what you see in the mirror. Even "professional" methods can be highly variable.

Body fat % is just another estimate, just another number, and just another things to mess with your head.

dopeysmelly

There are photo galleries online which you can use to compare yourself to. I use that and the military body fat estimator (although I think that's over-estimating for me a bit). Neither are really ideal, but I'm not looking for accuracy, just a range.

FunkyTobias

jacksonpt wrote: »

There is no best, at least not that you can do yourself/at home. Go by measurements and what you see in the mirror. Even "professional" methods can be highly variable.

Body fat % is just another estimate, just another number, and just another things to mess with your head.

This is the correct answer.

jakichan

I've got the Withings scale that does body fat, but it's highly inaccurate and very much impacted by your level of hydration. I tried it out the morning of my most recent dunk test and it wasn't even close.

Joannah700

I did a hydrostatic test and RMR test recently - cost about $120, individually it would have been $65.

The hydrostatic test is the one where they weigh you in a bathing suit, then you go into a tub of body temperature water and blow out all your air to find out what your lean body mass is and what isn't.

I wanted the information because while I have a healthy BMI, according to online calculators (including military) with my measurements my fat percentage ranged between 25-30%, and before I decided to go forward with pursuing a low BMI - I wanted to make sure it was what my body really needed. I'm glad I did because the hydrostatic test had me at 21% body fat.

Foamroller

Try on old "skinny" clothes. you won't get the % number, but it's dead cheap:P

Agree with comparing with pics if definition is important to you.

geojeepgirl

How about bod pod test?

Kalikel

I don't remember what it is called, but they dunk you in a tub of water and somehow this gives the best possible reading. That is literally everything I remember about it. I never had it done.

philwrightfitness

Just for completeness déxa is more accurate than hydrostatic or bod pod testing,

BusyRaeNOTBusty

jacksonpt wrote: »

There is no best, at least not that you can do yourself/at home. Go by measurements and what you see in the mirror. Even "professional" methods can be highly variable.

Body fat % is just another estimate, just another number, and just another things to mess with your head.

Agreed.

grl82

I have found a local hospital who will do the bodpod for £50. I might give it a go and see what the results are.

geojeepgirl

Im doing bod pod next week, just see what the results are at this stage of weightloss, then going back in about 6 months.

grl82

Hi geojeepgirl,

Let me know how it goes. I would be interested to hear your thoughts about it.

geojeepgirl

@macphd12345 according to bodpod.. my BMR is lower than what some of the online calculators came back with so Im potentially eating more and have a smaller deficit than what I thought I was at. The test literally took only a minute, took me longer to get undressed and dressed..lol This one told me my fat free mass vs my fat mass. I think when all is said an done.. Im changing my goal weight by about 10 lbs based on what my fat free mass number ended up being. I thought it was worth it and will do it again in about 6 months.

BlackTimber

A mirror/camera. I understand the need for a number in the end it is just a number. Don't wait to start working out - get going!