Mirror, mirror, on the wall: who is the skinniest of them all ?

ericGold15

This post summarizes my experiences trying to know my body fat weight. I started with a good quality, highly recommended scale that reported ~ 11%. I knew that was not right, and I am fortunate to live near Lenny Kravitz’s exercise laboratory so I had the body composition testing today.

Hydrostatic calc: 21%
Calipers: 13%
Arm impedance: 19%

The techs were a little … let us say surprised … at the discrepancy between the calipers and the other tests. I don’t think poor technique is the answer. We all agreed that trends are way to go LOL.

Without a doubt build is playing a part here: I accumulate fat in my abdomen mostly and then my lower trunk, and I am left with skinny legs and no butt. Since the caliper test was based on a 3 point measurement of near the armpit, near the umbilicus and mid thigh, I am reasonably confident that it underestimated my true fat because my specific build does not place fat in 2/3 of the measured spots.

Tentative conclusions:
1. Hydrostatic is the ‘gold standard,’ and I have little reason not to mostly believe it.
2. ‘Apple’ builds can make do with a good arm impedance study
3. Normal builds might get reasonable results from a scale
4. Calipers probably work well if you pick a multi-point method than includes your fat dispositions areas.

Lastly,
I find it amusing that when I looked at these stereotypical photos of different fat content people, I was able to identify my results with as much confidence as the test battery. I mentioned this to the techs who confirmed that studies find the same.

emily_fox

I like that body fat composition picture. I am an apple shape, so it's good to know that the arm impedance test is the way to go (assuming the hydrostatic is expensive).

ncboiler89

emily_fox wrote: »

I like that body fat composition picture. I am an apple shape, so it's good to know that the arm impedance test is the way to go.

I am the far lower right corner. Unfortunately I am a dude.

SLLRunner

ncboiler89 wrote: »

emily_fox wrote: »

I like that body fat composition picture. I am an apple shape, so it's good to know that the arm impedance test is the way to go.

I am the far lower right corner. Unfortunately I am a dude.

I almost spit my soda with this reply!

ericGold15

emily_fox wrote: »

I like that body fat composition picture. I am an apple shape, so it's good to know that the arm impedance test is the way to go (assuming the hydrostatic is expensive).

There is a 4th method available in many places called a 'bod pod.' With some caveats it is close to the hydrostatic test in accuracy, usually cheaper, and simpler.

IIRC I googled 'fitness testing <your city>' to find local places in general,
while this link locates local bod pods.

robspot

Pictorially I would say I'm just above 30% and my Withing scale says 31.7% so that'll do for me

zyxst

ncboiler89 wrote: »

emily_fox wrote: »

I like that body fat composition picture. I am an apple shape, so it's good to know that the arm impedance test is the way to go.

I am the far lower right corner. Unfortunately I am a dude.

You rock that bikini though.

jemhh

I am stuck on the "Lenny Kravitz's exercise laboratory" part of the OP.

msf74

ncboiler89 wrote: »

emily_fox wrote: »

I like that body fat composition picture. I am an apple shape, so it's good to know that the arm impedance test is the way to go.

I am the far lower right corner. Unfortunately I am a dude.

I laughed so much at this comment I may have snorted...

robspot

Different Kravitz I hope

http://www.drlenkravitz.com/

Although hopefully he still plays music