Body Fat Measurements - wasn't sure where to post

akadrea
akadrea Posts: 85 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So,
I've had my body fat measured with calipers over the last 7 months by a trainer at my gym, and according to his measurements, I've lost 7% body fat since last summer. The only thing is - I don't FEEL like I should at the number I'm given - according to his measurements, I'm down to 10.5% body fat and I don't look RIPPED or anything (yes, I lift weights, probably not as consistently as I should or progressively heavy) but, Dang! Shouldn't I be seeing some serious definition????

Replies

  • MyRummyHens
    MyRummyHens Posts: 141 Member
    Is that profile picture representative of how you are now?

    I'm really interested in what answers you get. Arm wise you and I are very similar, I am not far behind you on the tummy muscle front, and I *may* just have slightly more leg muscle visible. I think I'm at about 18%, give or take.
  • 212019156
    212019156 Posts: 341 Member
    I would question that reading looking at your profile pic. 10.5% is pretty damn low for a female. If you really want to know what your body fat percent is get a DEXA scan done. You have to ask if they have a total body scan mode and a body composition option installed, because they don't come standard with that.

    If you get a total body scan done it will break down you body composition into different areas of your body and it will be way more accurate than a caliper especially when you are lean.

    By the way I used to work at GE medical and worked extensively with these devices. When I would scan someone and get a reading of 10% they were ususally extremely lean looking and vascular. I would also typically see that someone who had a caliper reading of 10% was in reality more like 13 or 14%. Hologic makes a DEXA scanner as well but I am not familiar with their body comp capabilities.
  • LeanButNotMean44
    LeanButNotMean44 Posts: 852 Member
    I would question that reading looking at your profile pic. 10.5% is pretty damn low for a female. If you really want to know what your body fat percent is get a DEXA scan done. You have to ask if they have a total body scan mode and a body composition option installed, because they don't come standard with that.

    If you get a total body scan done it will break down you body composition into different areas of your body and it will be way more accurate than a caliper especially when you are lean.

    By the way I used to work at GE medical and worked extensively with these devices. When I would scan someone and get a reading of 10% they were ususally extremely lean looking and vascular. I would also typically see that someone who had a caliper reading of 10% was in reality more like 13 or 14%. Hologic makes a DEXA scanner as well but I am not familiar with their body comp capabilities.

    Agree with the above. I also came out at 10-10.5% using calipers, but when I was Dexa'd it was 15.65% (my body type is way different than yours though - I am a pear shape).
  • akadrea
    akadrea Posts: 85 Member
    Is that profile picture representative of how you are now?

    I'm really interested in what answers you get. Arm wise you and I are very similar, I am not far behind you on the tummy muscle front, and I *may* just have slightly more leg muscle visible. I think I'm at about 18%, give or take.

    Yes - maybe a little leaner now - yeah - 10.5% just doesn't sound right to me!

Categories