Body Fat % question

quiksandy

Has anybody ever actually done one of those hydrostatic (dunk tank) body fat tests? Did you think the results were accurate? I have a scale (EatSmart Precision GetFit Digital Body Fat Scale) that measures body fat but I'm not totally confident in it's accuracy. On one setting it will say I'm 16 % and on another it will say I'm 12%. I just don't know what the real number is. Any advice?

Hendrix7

Any advice?

All the methods are somewhat inaccurate and for this reason I would advise not to try and track progress based on body fat% readings

Go by clothes fit, measurements, scale, mirror etc

Good article on this subject

http://weightology.net/weightologyweekly/?page_id=283

vinnieti

Accurate body fat measurements are'nt easy to come by. It's my understanding the dunk tank is much more accurate than a scale. If you're a member of a gym, many gyms have personal trainers or staff that can use calipers to measure your body fat percentage.

michellekicks

12% is really, REALLY low for a woman. If you really want to know, find a clinic that does DEXA scanning. In my area it costs about $100.

quiksandy

12% is really, REALLY low for a woman. If you really want to know, find a clinic that does DEXA scanning. In my area it costs about $100.

Yeah, I figured as much. That's why I tend to think it's the higher number. I don't know, for some reason I'd rather track BF % than weight because I figure weight can fluctuate for a woman based on water gain at certain times of the month. But I do agree that measurements and the way clothes fit are important ways to track too.

The truth is, I want to drop my BF % down so that my ab muscles might make an appearance. They barely are right now. It's more of a 4 pack rather than a 6 pack.

Hendrix7

I don't know, for some reason I'd rather track BF % than weight because I figure weight can fluctuate for a woman based on water gain at certain times of the month.

Those scales can give you mutiliple different readings in he same day depending on how hydrated you are.

quiksandy

Those scales can give you mutiliple different readings in he same day depending on how hydrated you are.

True...that's why I try to stick to the scales instructional guideline of measuring in the evening at the same time every day. I'm more likely to be hydrated then rather than in the morning. Still, I have the suspicion that my scale's BF readings are very ball-park and inaccurate.

fitQueenbeast

I don't know, for some reason I'd rather track BF % than weight because I figure weight can fluctuate for a woman based on water gain at certain times of the month.

Those scales can give you mutiliple different readings in he same day depending on how hydrated you are.

TRUE! My scale said 35.2 one day and the next 40. WTH?! I did an extensive online calculation using height, weight, age, waist, hips, wrist, and forearm....it said 26.38%. Matter of fact, several websites gave me pretty much the same reading, using different calculations. Now, I simply don't know WHAT the heck my actual percentage is. I'm thinking about doing the bodpod testing in December, after I finish P90x.

Unfortunately, I use the numbers to track my progress on beachbody.com, the maker of Insanity and P90x. That's the ONLY reason why I keep an eye on it. But shoot, if it's not accurate, then I just don't even know anymore.

This is all VERY frustrating, to say the least.

Erica

medennison123

I just go off the mirror. I did buy calipers off amazon but it was not 100% accurate.

Hendrix7

IMO body fat % is basically irrelevant, it's just a number which would confirm what you already see in the mirror anyway.

You could go and get a proper dexa scan which would be relitively accurate but I don't see how his really helps you in your training anyway. I already know if I need to get leaner or not by looking at myself, I don't need a number to tell me that. It's not something I would recommend people spend any time or money on.

quiksandy

IMO body fat % is basically irrelevant, it's just a number which would confirm what you already see in the mirror anyway.

You could go and get a proper dexa scan which would be relitively accurate but I don't see how his really helps you in your training anyway. I already know if I need to get leaner or not by looking at myself, I don't need a number to tell me that. It's not something I would recommend people spend any time or money on.

I guess for me, I've had 2 children and 2 c-sections and I often question (in the ab area) what is skin and what is fat. If I knew that fat was in the way of my ab muscles that would help me. So seeing the BF % change is meaningful to me.