Body Fat % HELP~

koootenay
koootenay Posts: 126 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So today I went to my gym and got my body fat tested. It was a scale I stood on that sent electrodes or something of that sort to scan my body of fat. It came up with: 201lbs body weight, 56.8% body fat and 33% water. OMG.... That scale can't be right.. I measured myself to guess my body fat and It came to 46.6% and also, just this morning bought a handheld body fat scanner and it came up with 38.8%. I'm getting very different readings from each source. Could it be I really am 56.8%???

Please help, can you judge these pictures and tell me what percentage would be most accurate? I tried my best to find the most recent ones that showed my full body.

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Replies

  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    It's harder to estimate without knowing your height, but it is likely the 56,8% is too high. The 46.6% is likely the closest, unless you are 5'8" or taller.

    Keep in mind that the fact that the 46.6% is likely the closest does not mean that method is the most accurate. Given the method you describe, it is likely to be just a coincidence. I don't know that any of the methods you describe are all that accurate.
  • koootenay
    koootenay Posts: 126 Member
    Thanks for the reply, I am 5'2. I realize that these methods aren't all that accurate but I can't afford something like a dexa scan or Hydrostatic Weighing. Maybe I should think about saving for a dexa scan? Not sure if I can get that in my area though.

    Thank you for your input : )
  • SJ46
    SJ46 Posts: 407 Member
    I don't know the accuracy but maybe try this: http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/mbf/
  • triggsta
    triggsta Posts: 140
    If you are on the shorter side, 50+% could be pretty close. Unfortunately, the most accurate way to measure BF is going to be a body scan (bodpods are good but can sometimes give outrageous numbers) or hydrostatic water weighing (this is probably the most preferable and money-saving while also the most accurate).

    Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Judge your progress in other terms like how you feel and progress pictures. Weight fluctuates, body fat scales guesstimate too much, and in the end it's just going to piss you off. It took me a long time to realize that.

    little story: I'm taking creatine right now, which basically absorbs water into the muscles. So of course I'm gaining water weight. And at first I was dismayed that my scale kept going UP instead of down, especially when my body fat was following its steps. But I've come to embrace this weight gain. For me personally, it means I'm gaining muscle and still probably losing fat even though my stupid scales are unwilling to realize that and measure accurately. So take scales with a grain of salt.
  • hap2010
    hap2010 Posts: 101 Member
    You can't really tell bady fat % by looking at pictures. I was at 130 pounds and I still had a body fat % of 32%. It is called fat skinny. I have worked hard to get rid of the fat that is stored throughout my body. I use a scale but I also understand that it is not totally accurate. I think the only really accurate way is to do the dunk tank measurement. Might cost you but it will give you an accurate reading.
  • conorpatmanCHANGED
    conorpatmanCHANGED Posts: 253 Member
    If you are on the shorter side, 50+% could be pretty close. Unfortunately, the most accurate way to measure BF is going to be a body scan (bodpods are good but can sometimes give outrageous numbers) or hydrostatic water weighing (this is probably the most preferable and money-saving while also the most accurate).

    Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Judge your progress in other terms like how you feel and progress pictures. Weight fluctuates, body fat scales guesstimate too much, and in the end it's just going to piss you off. It took me a long time to realize that.

    this

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