How do you calculate your Body Fat %?

nspink

HI everyone,

Please share how you calculate your body fat percent% ???

I'm currently using the Omron monitor handheld, I'm not sure if the readings are accurate because I've lost some weight but my body fat went up 2%. I've tried some online calculators where you input your body measurements and the bodyfat % reading is really different from the Omron (5% less using measurements). I don't know being hypo has any effects on the readings using Omron.

So, how do you calculate your body fat %?

tecallahan

I think caliphers are the gold standard for measuring body fat -- most gyms will pinch your fat in a few strategic places and use the average of those places to come up with percentage. There's also a very sophisticated testing where you are immersed in water and there is a calculation about how much water you displace or something -- not sure where to get that -- usually bodybuilders do that.

DenverKos

I agree with tecallahan. Calipers are the way to go. Hydrostatic weighing is the most accurate, but far to expensive for the average person.
Your monitor is fine, too, to use to track change in %BF. Make sure that you do it at the same time of day, same time of month for us women, that you're hydrated, not after you've exercised, swam, or showered, or eaten a "bad" meal as all of these things can affect the reading.
As for how can it say your BF% has increased by 2%? Well, are you regularly lifting weights, or is your weight loss routine diet and cardio? if the latter, then it's very possible that your BF% has increased as your body may have lost some muscle mass with your diet. Just because you've lost weight doesn't mean that you've only lost fat. And really, 2% isn't that big of a difference on a unit that will fluctuate as much as 10%.

nspink

I guess its really hard to get a accurate reading. Thanks for the tips, I will try to take my reading in the morning and not during TOM. I'm just going to pay more attention to how my body actually looks and my measurements. Thanks guys!