how do i know how much body fat I have?

coco3382458

Do I have to go to my DR to find out or is something I can do at home? do I need a special tool for this? I have never had this measured and I am curious to know

Lammerchops

There are several commonly used methods...

1. Body fat composition scale purchased for $50.
Cons: INACCURATE.
Pros: the number won't be right, but some ppl use it for trend purposes (ie, the number is wrong, but if that wrong number keeps going down, then you might be able to use it as proof that you're losing fat. Or it's a piece of crap that is not to be trusted under any circumstance)

2. Caliper test - you can buy them and do it on yourself.
Cons: Not accurate if you suck at using them. Fairly accurate if you know how to use them, always test the same spots, test consistently and record the trends, etc.
Pros: Calipers are cheap!

3. DEXA scan
Cons: Not readily available, costs $100+
Pros: quite accurate

4. Hydrostatic aka "dunk test"
Cons: Not readily available, expensive
Pros: Most accurate method

leahartmann

I use the fat2fitradio.com calculater. It might not be completely accurate, but it´s the one i prefer. You would need a measure tape.http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bf/

Cese27

Callipers win for me every time

elvensnow

Most accurate is calipers, usually done by a doc. But if you want to estimate, as long as you have your measurements you can use the military's body fat calculator located here http://www.calculator.net/army-body-fat-calculator.html

55in13

This article:

http://www.builtlean.com/2010/08/03/ideal-body-fat-percentage-chart/

has links to some pretty good calculators and down toward the bottom has an interesting feature - a small gallery of people at different percentages. It is pretty easy to use that to get a pretty good estimate of roughly where you are now.

Morgaath

Something like Accu-Measure Body Fat Caliper. You can get them for under $10 online.
Easy to use as shown here:
http://www.muscleandstrength.com/tools/how-to-measure-bodyfat-using-calipers.html

tomcornhole

This article:

http://www.builtlean.com/2010/08/03/ideal-body-fat-percentage-chart/

has links to some pretty good calculators and down toward the bottom has an interesting feature - a small gallery of people at different percentages. It is pretty easy to use that to get a pretty good estimate of roughly where you are now.

^^^^This. The mirror is as accurate as anything I have found. As long as you are honest.

55in13

This article:

http://www.builtlean.com/2010/08/03/ideal-body-fat-percentage-chart/

has links to some pretty good calculators and down toward the bottom has an interesting feature - a small gallery of people at different percentages. It is pretty easy to use that to get a pretty good estimate of roughly where you are now.

^^^^This. The mirror is as accurate as anything I have found. As long as you are honest.

I did also get a check done with electronics (they claim to be using a higher end one; it is through arms/chest) at the Y and it came in about the same as my guesstimate from looking at the pictures. I will be more concerned about the accuracy of it when I have lost more fat and am deciding whether or not to be satisfied. A rough estimate works for me now.

broscientist

If you are on a budget, the 2 choices are:

Accu-Measure calipers: About $10-$15. Calipers are very good if you are already at a decently low bf%. You will get a more consistent measurement the leaner you are. If you are on the higher bf% side, over 20% male; over 25% female, it is a lot harder to get a consistent accurate measurement.

Tape Measurement: $2. Not as accurate as the Calipers if you are already lean. IMO, It is however, more accurate if you have a higher bf% (IMO). There are numerous site that will estimate by measuring your waist line. Some sites also ask for a neck measurement.


Edit: Just as a side note, using the above methods will only ESTIMATE bf%. Your real measurement will be off +/- 2% or so. Just like water retention affects your weight, the same thing applies to your caliper / waist measurement.

jwdieter

Can get bodpod or hydro for reasonable prices ($40-75) in some places.

Edit: hahaha I just did the military BF calculator and it came up with 7%. /facepalm