30.1% or 23.2%?

xidia

The fat2fitradio BF% estimator has me at 30.1%
The bio-impendance machine at the gym has me at 23.2% BF
I have no access to skin calipers

Any ideas which might be right? I'm 5'4", BMI 24.4, some muscle tone from running & core work.

mrseelmerfudd

The fat2fitradio BF% estimator has me at 30.1%
The bio-impendance machine at the gym has me at 23.2% BF
I have no access to skin calipers

Any ideas which might be right? I'm 5'4", BMI 24.4, some muscle tone from running & care work.

i would take the machine at the gym as that would have been done in person. both are only estimates though so you could take somewhere in the middle if you want!

Firefox7275

Get your fat measured by calipers, by a medical grade machine that takes your hydration into consideration (lay on the floor, pads on your wrists and ankles) or at a push a stand on machine but at the end of the day when you have eaten and are well hydrated. On a basic stand on scale a female can 'gain' or 'lose' several percent in a day just from hydration. Any experienced personal trainer at the gym can do calipers, it's part of the qualification.

I have been measured on a medical grade machine, basic stand on and estimated from weight and measurements. There is six percent discrepancy but I know from looking at my body nekkid and my experience at work (lifestyle healthcare) the higher one is correct. 23% is nice and slim without being able to see a full six pack, 30% you will generally have quite large deposits in your problem areas.

omma_to_3

I wouldn't really believe either one. The online calculators all had very different estimates for me this summer - anywhere from 27% (I wish!) to 44%. Most of them had me over 40%. I then was tested in a Bod Pod (VERY accurate) at 39.2%. That seemed right to me.

I've never used the bioimpedence but have been told they are not accurate at all. If you're concerned about the level, get Bod Pod testing or a DEXA scan. If you're just trying to track your trend, pick one method and repeat at certain intervals to track your changes.

DrMAvDPhD

You may get more reasonable answers if you post a full body picture (you can chop out your face if that makes you uncomfortable). BMI tells you nothing about fat percentages.

LorinaLynn

Probably somewhere between the two, because if you were at 23%, I doubt you'd still want to lose another 20 pounds.

Here's some photos to compare... http://www.builtlean.com/2012/09/24/body-fat-percentage-men-women/

Hendrix7

Thats impossible for us to answer.

PetulantOne

Like someone else said, if you're just trying to see the progression, stick with one method. All the calculators, and even skin calipers are just guesstimates or subject to human error.

xidia

Probably somewhere between the two, because if you were at 23%, I doubt you'd still want to lose another 20 pounds.

Here's some photos to compare... http://www.builtlean.com/2012/09/24/body-fat-percentage-men-women/

Ah-ha. Yep, I'm definitely more 25-30% than 20-25%.

Everyone else, thank you. Since bioimpendance is so subject to hydration and I don't have access to calipers or a better machine, I'll stick with the fat2fit calculator to track trend, and not get too hung up on the number itself.

Thanks.

Awkward30

Calipers are only $5 on amazon... You can get access to them pretty easily IMO!

Firefox7275

Calipers are only $5 on amazon... You can get access to them pretty easily IMO!

You can't do calipers on yourself and there is a knack to it that needs training and practice. You have to hit specific spots and be standing in a specific way, pinch the right amount of flesh and so on.

skrakalaka

fat2fit radio calls me overweight no matter what I weigh. I lost a significant amt of fat and gained muscle and I only dropped 1%.