Body fat %?

Arexxx

So I used this calculator (Measurements, no calipers) http://www.linear-software.com/online.html

And got a body fat % of 24! WHAT? I know that's probably super high to a lot of people but... that is apparently 'athlete' or 'acceptable' range.
Just judging by how squishy I am, I thought my body fat would be double that. Unless the calculator is way off..

Whats yours, according to this calc?

SuperSexyDork

Yeah... with measurements it can be waaaaaay off. When I put in my measurements it reads that I'm 43% fat. When I put in my caliper measurements, I'm 31%

Arexxx

Where could I get a caliper?

Tilran

Pass on the caliper and make an appointment for something like a BodPod...even calipers can be waaaaay off. Bodpod is pricey (typically 80ish) but is very accurate and will tell you specific zones of body fat.

Then use calipers or measurements to track loss until you feel you have enough loss to do another BodPod session. (6+ months later)

samlankford

i'm at 13% when I measure using calipers, using the "online calculators" it puts me at 20%...

JustJennie1

The calculation used for the calipers is based on your age. I used to get my BF done at the place I used to workout and used it as a guideline. I watched them do the measurements and when they consulted their handy-dandy sheet the exact same readings put me at a lower BF % if I was in a younger age bracket.

jdennisj

I used a different calculator that I saw posted here under a different topic. It was relatively easy to use and only required a few measurements. The site is www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/. Both my wife and I used it. You may want to try that one and compare to your other result just as a comparison.

fishgutzy

There is no such thing as an accurate BFP calculator. My own scale varies greatly. It usually says I have a 135 to 140 pound weakling hiding inside me.
My doctors prefers that I use the reading a a reference point only and watch is get smaller.
In June of 2011 my scale read high 50's to low 60's. Now it is mid 40's. The number is going in the right direction. The absolute value is not important to me. I'll know when my BFP is getting low because I'll have to where more sweaters at home in the winter because I refuse to raise the temp above 68.

julesan902

you can buy calipers & tape measurer on ebay for like $3.00

SuperSexyDork

There is no such thing as an accurate BFP calculator. My own scale varies greatly. It usually says I have a 135 to 140 pound weakling hiding inside me.
My doctors prefers that I use the reading a a reference point only and watch is get smaller.
In June of 2011 my scale read high 50's to low 60's. Now it is mid 40's. The number is going in the right direction. The absolute value is not important to me. I'll know when my BFP is getting low because I'll have to where more sweaters at home in the winter because I refuse to raise the temp above 68.

You're right. Bodpod, DEXA scan, hydrostatic body composition analysis, calipers, etc are all guessing games. Just like counting calories, your BMR, TDEE, calorie burn, etc are all guessing games. It's just about getting as close to the bull's eye as possible and then getting those numbers to go progressively lower.

YoungDoc2B

13.36% according to that website. I highly, highly doubt it. lol

fishgutzy

When I can see the veins pop in my quads on a leg day, I'll know my fat is probably on the low side. :bigsmile:

Right now I'm glad I can see a couple in my arms for the first time in years.