BF% help

CarolAmanda
CarolAmanda Posts: 84 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
You know those things at the gym that you hold out in front of you to get bf%? Sorry - I can't think of the name.

4 weeks ago a trainer had me use one holding in straight out in front of me - reading was 28.8%. It was about 11am on a Saturday after yoga.

Today I did it again, and this trainer had me hold it straight out, half way out, and close. He said the average was 25% which is a more accurate reading. The straight out reading was 29%. Tonight's measurements were taken at 7pm after a group p90x workout.

How accurate should I assume these reading are?

Carol

Replies

  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    The margin of error for those are typically +/-4%. Unless you get a DEXA scan, body fat percentages are estimates.
  • rkr22401
    rkr22401 Posts: 216 Member
    Instructions specifically say to not use within 12 hrs of exercise. There are also recommendations for time after eating, drinking, and using restroom. You also should be consistent with these conditions from measurement to measurement. Even then it's just an estimate.
  • stacw1987
    stacw1987 Posts: 206 Member
    I use a tanita machine at work. I do it first thing in the morning. Strip down and before I eat or drink anything. Same time each week.

    :)
  • slinkycat1729
    slinkycat1729 Posts: 13 Member
    Hiya,I also have been wondering how accurate these are. Im 5ft 7", weight 9st 6, my BMI is 20, but my Body fat has been showing anywhere from 29% to 33%!! I do an average of 5 60 minute workouts a week and some sets of weighted squats. I struggle to understand how my body fat is so high, and was hoping it was because the machines dont work properly!
  • rkr22401
    rkr22401 Posts: 216 Member
    Buy some accumeasure plastic bodyfat calipers (they're like $10). Measurements lock in so you can take your own (requires a little practice to get consistent skinfold thickness, but not too bad). Google Jackson-Pollock 4 site calculator and input your skin thickness measurements.

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