body fat percentage calculator

Starlage
Starlage Posts: 1,709 Member
edited September 25 in Fitness and Exercise
Has anyone else tried the body fat percentage calculator at http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/home-body-fat-test-2774-143.html? I'm wondering how acurate it is. I was thinking maybe someone who KNOWS what theirs is could go to the site and compare? I don't have any of the home devices or belong to a gym or anything so I'm hoping these caluclators that go by measurements might be correct.

Backstory is I stepped on the scale today and gained a pound! I fully understand how many things can affect this little pound (like water retention and muscle gain) and that it may not be accurate but it's still discouraging. I've been working so hard for three weeks! Agh! I decided to try and get myself out of the scale game and focus more on other numbers like my measurements, body fat percentage and BMI. My number on the scale has always been deceiving so I need to stop relying on it! This calculator told me I'm at 25.7% body fat (normal's apparently 20-22%) so that made me feel better. My BMI is at 30.1- I hate that number, I don't feel it's accurate enough to assess health simply by height and weight and not taking any other measurements into consideration. I'm 5'3", currently 170lbs, wait measures 34.5 in, hips measure 43.5 in, while I'd like to get my measurements down some I don't think it's as bad as my BMI is trying to make it out to be :o) Anyways.... Just hoping to find an online body fat calculator that's accurate!

Replies

  • 00trayn
    00trayn Posts: 1,849 Member
    This calculator is trying to tell me I have 16.4% body fat, I wish! I use a handheld device at the gym and it gives me 28.2%.

    I found this to be more accurate, it gave me 27%

    http://fitness.bizcalcs.com/Calculator.asp?Calc=Body-Fat-Navy
  • dave4d
    dave4d Posts: 1,155 Member
    They aren't real accurate. I have found a few to be fairly close, but since you are going by body measurements, I've noticed variations in my measurements at times too. I can go anywhere from 40 to 35 inches on my waist measurement depending on how tight I pull the tape. I think for accuracy you are supposed to measure in a relaxed state, not getting it too tight. I've got an app on my phone that does it, and it is within about 5% of my calipers, and scale.
  • papastu
    papastu Posts: 737 Member
    without taking a proper test with a doctor or a qualified person I dont see how any online system can be correct every person is different
  • eamartin
    eamartin Posts: 216 Member
    Yeah, Im not so sure on how accurate that is because I am also 5'3 184lbs and it said my body fat was 25.3% and I also did my husbands who is 6' and 160lbs and his came up 8.5%... Hmm..
  • Gogo76
    Gogo76 Posts: 581
    Not really accurate for me! This calculator says I have 29.2% body fat and the gym handheld one tells me I have 24.2%
  • samantharae121205
    samantharae121205 Posts: 185
    This calculator is trying to tell me I have 16.4% body fat, I wish! I use a handheld device at the gym and it gives me 28.2%.

    I found this to be more accurate, it gave me 27%

    http://fitness.bizcalcs.com/Calculator.asp?Calc=Body-Fat-Navy

    i just checked this out. it was also pretty acurrate with mine. only off by 1. :)
  • Starlage
    Starlage Posts: 1,709 Member
    This calculator is trying to tell me I have 16.4% body fat, I wish! I use a handheld device at the gym and it gives me 28.2%.

    I found this to be more accurate, it gave me 27%

    http://fitness.bizcalcs.com/Calculator.asp?Calc=Body-Fat-Navy

    i just checked this out. it was also pretty acurrate with mine. only off by 1. :)

    I'll give that one a try, thanks guys! I'm going to just try and reduce my weigh-ins to once or twice a month and measure weekly. Focus more on continuing to overhaul my eating habits :o) I'll get there some day!
  • click
    click Posts: 36 Member
    The one you provided was very inaccurate. I went for a professional hand held one about two weeks ago and got 40%. This one is telling me 25.3%.

    The one Samantharae referred to I also tried, it said 41%, but I have actually lost a few pounds since my original 40% professionally done one, so I'd say it's a percent or two off.
  • beccala18
    beccala18 Posts: 293 Member
    Bump.
  • Starlage
    Starlage Posts: 1,709 Member
    The one you provided was very inaccurate. I went for a professional hand held one about two weeks ago and got 40%. This one is telling me 25.3%.

    The one Samantharae referred to I also tried, it said 41%, but I have actually lost a few pounds since my original 40% professionally done one, so I'd say it's a percent or two off.

    Thanks! Good to know that the one I was referred to was so inaccurate. I'll stick with the one samantharae suggested. Even if it's over a couple of percentages or so that's better than underestimating and giving me a false sense of happiness! I'd rather have the one that's over - will just encourage me to exercise more! (i hate exercising.... )
  • ArchyJill
    ArchyJill Posts: 548 Member
    bump
  • jrlenig
    jrlenig Posts: 364 Member
    This calculator is trying to tell me I have 16.4% body fat, I wish! I use a handheld device at the gym and it gives me 28.2%.

    I found this to be more accurate, it gave me 27%

    http://fitness.bizcalcs.com/Calculator.asp?Calc=Body-Fat-Navy
    and I found the 2nd one to be no where close to right, I have an extremely wide frame, my hips are 40 inches and my waist is 29, and it says I am at 32% obese...not so much Mr. Calculator...
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