Body fat percentage: which to trust?

jess6741
jess6741 Posts: 107 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have a scale that measures body fat percentage and have plugged my measurements into a couple of calculators and they say about the same thing within +/- 1% (21%). But going by the visual chart I look a lot higher (closer to 30%).

I'm trying to determine how steep of a deficit to go by TDEE -10 or 20%. If I'm closer to 30% I think I'd go with the 20% but if it's closer to 21% then I probably don't need quite that big of a deficit. Which do you think would be more accurate?

Replies

  • doneatfour
    doneatfour Posts: 120 Member
    Which visual chart? If that is you in your profile picture, I doubt you are 30%. Yes scales and girth calculators are estimates and are prone to inaccuracies, but they are way better than guessing off someone else's picture.
  • proudmommy1003
    proudmommy1003 Posts: 329 Member
    I think I know which chart you are referring to. According to your picture and the chart you look like 25 % to me.
    I gpt measured at the gym and I'm 28% and according to my scale I'm 21% so scales are way inacurate.
  • jess6741
    jess6741 Posts: 107 Member
    Thanks for the replies. I figured the scales would be pretty inaccurate but it is also hard to tell from looking at pictures. I don't know what the name of the chart was but I saw it on a couple of threads on this site and on some other sites as well. 25% is a lot better than what I thought it would be and I believe that is in the healthy range so I probably will go with the 15% deficit instead of the 20%.
  • amiaow
    amiaow Posts: 35 Member
    I would trust any of it except for a DEXA scan, which can be had fairly cheaply these days. Calipers are the next best option IMO but depends on the skill of the operator. The scales and any kind of tape measure methods are terrible.
  • Energizer06
    Energizer06 Posts: 311 Member
    If that's your profile pic...your right around the 20-22% mark...Go with TDEE-10-15% and lift heavy if you can....You'd be surprised at your results in 8-12 weeks.
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    Yeah, you don't look 30% unless you are hiding some MASSIVE thighs and butt that we can't see.
    I had mine tested with a 4 point ultrasound and it was 29.6, so when I look at your picture and I compare it to myself....I'm pretty sure you are not even close to 30%

    ^amiaow is right though, if there is somewhere around you that you can get a DEXA scan (or even hydrostatic weighing) done you would have a more accurate number to go by and then you could use that number to get a rough margin of error on your scale.
  • carissar7
    carissar7 Posts: 183 Member
    The handheld device at my gym I was told was pretty accurate, especially compared to my scale at home that read a whopping 34% compared to a more believable 23% at the gym.
  • jess6741
    jess6741 Posts: 107 Member
    It's crazy how different all of the readings can be. I am moving to a new city this week and have joined a gym there so I hope to start lifting soon:) I hope I can also get my BF% checked there too.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    If that's your profile pic...your right around the 20-22% mark...Go with TDEE-10-15% and lift heavy if you can....You'd be surprised at your results in 8-12 weeks.

    ^^This! Ain't no way you are 30%. Could you possible have a distorted view of your body? (No snark in that. Some people have trouble seeing themselves accurately)
  • jess6741
    jess6741 Posts: 107 Member
    If that's your profile pic...your right around the 20-22% mark...Go with TDEE-10-15% and lift heavy if you can....You'd be surprised at your results in 8-12 weeks.

    ^^This! Ain't no way you are 30%. Could you possible have a distorted view of your body? (No snark in that. Some people have trouble seeing themselves accurately)

    I thought I was probably closer to the 22-25% range but my friend told me no way. And that I was much higher than that. So it made me doubt the scales/calculators. I'm pretty wide and don't have a lot of muscle so I can see why I would be closer to 30%.
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    The handheld device at my gym I was told was pretty accurate, especially compared to my scale at home that read a whopping 34% compared to a more believable 23% at the gym.
    Those handheld ones can be pretty far off. I used one and it said I was only 10.8% body fat. Lol I wish but I know that's not true. Last time I used calipers I was around 16%. I've lost a few more pounds since then and I'm starting to have more visible muscle definition on my abs so I'm inclined to think that the 16% estimate was fairly accurate. Find someone that knows how to use calipers properly and have them do it for you.
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    The handheld device at my gym I was told was pretty accurate, especially compared to my scale at home that read a whopping 34% compared to a more believable 23% at the gym.

    They are in fact not very accurate.

    Dexa, Hydrostatic, Bod Pod then callipers are the best way to an accurate BF measurement.

    OP-There is no way unless you have some Nikki Manaj booty/bottoms going on that you are 30%.
  • kitigonkukoo
    kitigonkukoo Posts: 218 Member
    I would trust any of it except for a DEXA scan, which can be had fairly cheaply these days. Calipers are the next best option IMO but depends on the skill of the operator. The scales and any kind of tape measure methods are terrible.

    a DEXA scan is for bone mineral density...?
  • Jo5ie
    Jo5ie Posts: 33 Member
    If that's your profile pic...your right around the 20-22% mark...Go with TDEE-10-15% and lift heavy if you can....You'd be surprised at your results in 8-12 weeks.

    ^^This! Ain't no way you are 30%. Could you possible have a distorted view of your body? (No snark in that. Some people have trouble seeing themselves accurately)

    I thought I was probably closer to the 22-25% range but my friend told me no way. And that I was much higher than that. So it made me doubt the scales/calculators. I'm pretty wide and don't have a lot of muscle so I can see why I would be closer to 30%.

    I think you should get a new friend....
  • Maribel_1986
    Maribel_1986 Posts: 457 Member
    If that's your profile pic...your right around the 20-22% mark...Go with TDEE-10-15% and lift heavy if you can....You'd be surprised at your results in 8-12 weeks.

    ^^This! Ain't no way you are 30%. Could you possible have a distorted view of your body? (No snark in that. Some people have trouble seeing themselves accurately)

    I thought I was probably closer to the 22-25% range but my friend told me no way. And that I was much higher than that. So it made me doubt the scales/calculators. I'm pretty wide and don't have a lot of muscle so I can see why I would be closer to 30%.

    Hmmm... I think your friend needs glasses because you are no way near 30% BF... You look great!
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    I would trust any of it except for a DEXA scan, which can be had fairly cheaply these days. Calipers are the next best option IMO but depends on the skill of the operator. The scales and any kind of tape measure methods are terrible.

    a DEXA scan is for bone mineral density...?

    Yes. It ALSO gives an accurate measurement of muscle mass.
  • drefaw
    drefaw Posts: 739
    Handheld units are about worse than the measurement methods. Get dipped, then you know it is correct.

    And I agree with about everyone here. 22-25% max. And get a new friend, one that is not jealous of hotness .....
  • carissar7
    carissar7 Posts: 183 Member
    The handheld device at my gym I was told was pretty accurate, especially compared to my scale at home that read a whopping 34% compared to a more believable 23% at the gym.

    They are in fact not very accurate.

    Dexa, Hydrostatic, Bod Pod then callipers are the best way to an accurate BF measurement.

    OP-There is no way unless you have some Nikki Manaj booty/bottoms going on that you are 30%.


    I know they are not very accurate. I was just saying that compared to the one I have at home, 23% for me is a much more believable reading. And the OP.
  • jess6741
    jess6741 Posts: 107 Member
    Thank you everyone for the feedback! I feel much more at ease getting feedback that suggests I am well within the healthy range. Now I feel better about eating at a 10% deficit instead of 20%.

    I don't think my friend is jealous. I've been chubby since we became friends in 4th grade. She probably just isn't used to me being on the slim side.
  • stickyvicky86
    stickyvicky86 Posts: 13
    I use callipers and do a 4 site pinch test add up the score and look it up make sure you do it 3 times and you will find out your average that is the best way to do the BF test and its spot on.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    1) Those scales are awful. I would bet money that I could visually peg most people much closer than those particular scales. They are THAT bad.

    2) Unless you're hiding some serious junk in the trunk you're not 30%. Based on the limited amount I can see I'd put you somewhere in the low to mid 20s. Your estimate of 22-25% is likely very reasonable.
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    The handheld device at my gym I was told was pretty accurate, especially compared to my scale at home that read a whopping 34% compared to a more believable 23% at the gym.

    They are in fact not very accurate.

    Dexa, Hydrostatic, Bod Pod then callipers are the best way to an accurate BF measurement.

    OP-There is no way unless you have some Nikki Manaj booty/bottoms going on that you are 30%.


    I know they are not very accurate. I was just saying that compared to the one I have at home, 23% for me is a much more believable reading. And the OP.

    Understand, Just going off of what you wrote saying they were. :)

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