Measuring BF%
sardelsa
Posts: 9,812 Member
Hi all
I’d love to get some of your experienced opinions. I started bulking in October and I am about 5lbs up. I never had my BF% measured at the start (probably should have but ah well) and I was thinking of picking up some callipers to check my progress at home. Would this be completely pointless and add more worry or is it a good idea to keep track of how I am gaining? Or are they more beneficial when I cut perhaps? Right now I use the scale, measurements and the mirror to gauge progress.
Thanks !
I’d love to get some of your experienced opinions. I started bulking in October and I am about 5lbs up. I never had my BF% measured at the start (probably should have but ah well) and I was thinking of picking up some callipers to check my progress at home. Would this be completely pointless and add more worry or is it a good idea to keep track of how I am gaining? Or are they more beneficial when I cut perhaps? Right now I use the scale, measurements and the mirror to gauge progress.
Thanks !
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Replies
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I do bodpod scans, but honestly, any kind of online calculator, scale, calipers, etc. as long as you maintain a consistent method. I wouldn't trust the actual percentages, per se, but you can look at trends. For instance, you can input your prebulk numbers and current numbers into an online calculator and get in idea of how you're doing.0
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A while back I found this site, and I think it's one of the better online calculators out there. It helps to be as precise as you can in taking measurements.0
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ForecasterJason wrote: »A while back I found this site, and I think it's one of the better online calculators out there. It helps to be as precise as you can in taking measurements.
OMG...I'm an "active older woman." That makes me sad.
ETA: I just did it and got 22.5%...considering I started off this bulk 6 lbs ago with 16%, I'm pretty sure that's not accurate LOL0 -
by active older woman- you mean kick *kitten*??0
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Yeah, it can't possibly be accurate, at least not for women. I'd love to be in the 14-17% range (depending on whether I'm an inactive or active older woman), but there's no way.0 -
Ya I don't get it.. the online calc is giving me a bogus # too, on the low end. It must be my massive 14" calves messing up the calculations..
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I do bodpod scans, but honestly, any kind of online calculator, scale, calipers, etc. as long as you maintain a consistent method. I wouldn't trust the actual percentages, per se, but you can look at trends. For instance, you can input your prebulk numbers and current numbers into an online calculator and get in idea of how you're doing.
Agree with all of this.
I found a website with some of the more "accepted" BF calculations awhile back. I set up a spreadsheet with all my numbers and the calculations. All I do know is put in my current numbers, and I can see how they change. I also get bodpod scans every few months so I know the true number, but I like watching the trend between scans.
ETA: it helps if I include the link to the calculations, right?
http://strengthunbound.com/measure-body-fat-easily-accurately-home/
ETA2: from that ^^ link, I take an average of the DOD, Modified YMCA, Covert Bailey, and Penrose. It is within 1% of my bodpod scan that way.0 -
I recommend getting an Accu measure caliper and check the suprailliac. I think they are accurate, but even if not as long as you measure the site the same you can gage progress which is really what matters on both a bulk and a cut.0
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I do bodpod scans, but honestly, any kind of online calculator, scale, calipers, etc. as long as you maintain a consistent method. I wouldn't trust the actual percentages, per se, but you can look at trends. For instance, you can input your prebulk numbers and current numbers into an online calculator and get in idea of how you're doing.
Agree with all of this.
I found a website with some of the more "accepted" BF calculations awhile back. I set up a spreadsheet with all my numbers and the calculations. All I do know is put in my current numbers, and I can see how they change. I also get bodpod scans every few months so I know the true number, but I like watching the trend between scans.
ETA: it helps if I include the link to the calculations, right?
http://strengthunbound.com/measure-body-fat-easily-accurately-home/
ETA2: from that ^^ link, I take an average of the DOD, Modified YMCA, Covert Bailey, and Penrose. It is within 1% of my bodpod scan that way.
YMCA formula gave me around 17%, which is probably fairly accurate right now.0 -
I do bodpod scans, but honestly, any kind of online calculator, scale, calipers, etc. as long as you maintain a consistent method. I wouldn't trust the actual percentages, per se, but you can look at trends. For instance, you can input your prebulk numbers and current numbers into an online calculator and get in idea of how you're doing.
Agree with all of this.
I found a website with some of the more "accepted" BF calculations awhile back. I set up a spreadsheet with all my numbers and the calculations. All I do know is put in my current numbers, and I can see how they change. I also get bodpod scans every few months so I know the true number, but I like watching the trend between scans.
ETA: it helps if I include the link to the calculations, right?
http://strengthunbound.com/measure-body-fat-easily-accurately-home/
ETA2: from that ^^ link, I take an average of the DOD, Modified YMCA, Covert Bailey, and Penrose. It is within 1% of my bodpod scan that way.
So.. Hmmm. Interesting.0 -
What about this calculator? I would imagine these calculators are probably more accurate for those that are close to average body fat values. I will say, however, I've seen a couple other calculators that use a neck measurement. One of those puts me as low as 5%, lol.0
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ForecasterJason wrote: »What about this calculator? I would imagine these calculators are probably more accurate for those that are close to average body fat values. I will say, however, I've seen a couple other calculators that use a neck measurement. One of those puts me as low as 5%, lol.
Your body fat percentage is 24.5%.
Nope, not for me. I find it odd when they don't ask for height relative to weight...0 -
because that's not relevant.
at all.
<rolls eyes>0 -
lulz- indeed.
- I'm voting that ll 160 pounds of me is muscle- no fat.
Win win.
It doesn't know- so I'm just going to tell it.0 -
Good point! I'm also gonna be whatever the hell body fat I want to be because I feel like you. You're a friggin genius, Jo!0
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I do what I can.
I see these posts about "what body type" are you or whatever... I'm like
body type? hmmmmmmhmmmm
checks self.
FRICKING AWESOME!
that's what my body type is.
So yeah- all muscle- fricking awesome. I'm rolling with it.0 -
You are fabulous
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I do what I can.
I see these posts about "what body type" are you or whatever... I'm like
body type? hmmmmmmhmmmm
checks self.
FRICKING AWESOME!
that's what my body type is.
So yeah- all muscle- fricking awesome. I'm rolling with it.
Perfect answer right here. Thanks Jo, you are freakin awesomesauce
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You want to take measurements from multiple places. My coach uses calipers to measure but takes measurements all over the place and puts them into his computer...if he just took the measurement from my mid-section as most commercially available calipers tell you to do, my BF% would indicate higher than it truly is...because I carry a little around my mid section, but you can barely find anything but skin to pinch anywhere else...and you can bounce a quarter off my *kitten*.
If possible, I would also find someone who knows what they're doing to take and record measurements for you...then you can't cheat.0 -
The tape measure would be your best bet for now and then you can keep track. At some point you'll want to know your exact body fat and I think a DXA scan can give you the best results.0
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You are fabulous
that's what this body says - so YES!
It IS a good answer.Perfect answer right here. Thanks Jo, you are freakin awesomesauce
I just wish I could convey that message more.
There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with thinking you are fu*king hot.
If more women thought that about themselves- we'd have a lot less media body type imagines. sheesh.
!!!go forth- be fabulous!!!!0 -
Apparently I'm also an active older woman
On the bright side, it thinks I'm 24% bf =D wish I could kid myself that it's right but I call BS
Edit: I might be close to 30% but I am also f***ing hot
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ForecasterJason wrote: »What about this calculator? I would imagine these calculators are probably more accurate for those that are close to average body fat values. I will say, however, I've seen a couple other calculators that use a neck measurement. One of those puts me as low as 5%, lol.
Your body fat percentage is 24.5%.
Nope, not for me. I find it odd when they don't ask for height relative to weight...
This one better?
http://www.fat2fittools.com/tools/mbf/0 -
I get 13.24%, 22.3%, and 21% using the three sites above. Should I just take an average?0
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arditarose wrote: »oh lord. 14" calves would be amazing.
14" calves would let me fit in all the beautiful boots!
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This discussion has been closed.
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