Best body fat measurement calculators

ourtruelovewillneverdie

I am looking for an online calculator to figure out body fat percentage by measurements that seems pretty accurate, for those that have used them. I have used the Army one, but I would like to try a few different.
I don't know how much body shape plays in to them either. I'm pear shaped and I have an 11 inch difference between my natural waist and hips. Also, how does loose skin play in to figuring out body fat percentages. At my heaviest (255) seven years ago and now I am 137 but I normally maintained between 130-135 after my second and third pregnancies. I have quite a bit of loose skin due to this and since I am aiming for 18-20% body fat ideally I want to know how this plays in to it.

Chrisparadise579

The best and most accurate is using body fat calipers. You can buy some online for less than $10. The Army Navy and Marines calculators can vary up to 10% so that not very consistent. Once you get the calipers use the Jackson Polluck 7 point skinfold test. Also lose skin will not really play a role in your measurements your skin is only a few mm thick and the equation accounts for that. Goodluck best of wishes

Cherimoose

Those calculators are just estimates. The most accurate tests are hydrostatic weighing, DEXA, and the Bod Pod. Local universities may offer them.

Personally i just use the mirror. How did you choose 18-20% body fat as a goal?

ourtruelovewillneverdie

Cherimoose wrote: »

Those calculators are just estimates. The most accurate tests are hydrostatic weighing, DEXA, and the Bod Pod. Local universities may offer them.

Personally i just use the mirror. How did you choose 18-20% body fat as a goal?

I would like to be leaner before recomp and have more visible ab definition. I doubt I will ever have a six pack due to loose skin but I would like more definition. So that's just the percentage I'm shooting for.

mykaylis

i use a scale that senses fat and water % by bioelectric impedance analysis. it's not perfect, and its accuracy will probably be slightly off - but it's a good measure of where you're at compared to where you are at/ will be. once your scale says you're close to the goal, THEN i'd go get measured properly using calipers or what cherimoose said (they can be expensive)

Cherimoose

ourtruelovewillneverdie wrote: »

I would like to be leaner before recomp and have more visible ab definition.

Yeah, since your goal is a visible one, i'd use the mirror. If you require an accurate number for some reason, and the scale isn't enough, go with one of the gold standards i listed. Everyone else is hit or miss.