BodPod came out low?

kavanaghev

Hey y'all. I just had my composition tested with the BodPod and it told me I am 16% body fat. I called bull**** because I don't think my % is that low, but the tester said she would guess the same or maybe up to 18% just by looking at me. Using the handheld measure things from the gym, I was 32% in November and 24% at the end of January. I have been working out regularly, running and doing strength stuff at home, eating 1800-2500 calories per day depending on workout and frankly what I feel like eating, as I haven't been seriously trying to lose since the middle of February.

Can you really get down to 16% BF without actively trying to get there? I think it is way more reasonable that I am about 20-22% but the trainer didn't think the bodpod was off by that much and repeated the test with the same results. The main reason this bothers me is because I have a seriously warped idea of what my body looks like if the test was accurate and I want to just be healthy and hopefully pregnant soon.

I don't have pics (although I can try to put some up) but I am 5'5", 138lbs, (BodPod said 115.7lbs Fat Free Mass) I do have some very mild ab definition, but clearly not like so many pictures of women I see online with the same BF%.

For what it's worth, I have had two previous trainers say I look fatter than I am so maybe I just carry it poorly?

auddii

Here is a good post about different BF% estimation methods.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/830595-body-fat-estimation-methods

The bod pod can have errors, although I don't know how high they can be.

In the same group, Sara and Patrick will estimate body fat from pictures if you post them in the thread. The first post in the thread explains the type of photos they need.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/826435-bodyfat-estimation-thread