Is this reasonably accurate for BF%?

jessthep1rate
jessthep1rate Posts: 47 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I just used this tool: http://www.fat2fittools.com/tools/bf/ to calculate my body fat; it asks for your weight, waist, hips, forearm, and wrist measurements. When I put these all in it gave me a BF% of 27.6%, which according to that website is well within 'normal' range. However, I feel like the results might have been skewed by the fact that I have really, really tiny wrists--as in, all bone, and I can't wear adult-sized bracelets or watches because they will be halfway up my forearm--and also pretty thin arms below the elbow. However, above the elbow my arms are flabby, and I have a large tummy, butt, and thighs. I am just worried that with these smaller measurements in the mix, it offset my waist and hip measurements too much to the point where the result is skewed much lower. Could that happen? Or is this a pretty accurate method, regardless? I am looking into maybe getting calipers and learning how to use them, but for now, I just wanted something to go off of.

Replies

  • MapleFlavouredMaiden
    MapleFlavouredMaiden Posts: 595 Member
    No. The only super accurate method is to get it done professionally. The next best thing is a high quality scale. Although even the scale wont be super accurate, it is useful to observe trends in your body fat and whether it is going consistently down (or up).

    I use the scale to measure mine and also some body fat calipers which are another good way if you know how to use them properly. My scale and calipers give me fairly identical readings so that's what I go by.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    no not really even calipers are not reliable.

    The only thing website calculations for BF% are good for is watching the progression.

    The most reliable way to get BF% is a dexa scan or have someone do a personal estimation based on a group of photos or in personn but they have to be very good at it...and know their stuff.
  • jessthep1rate
    jessthep1rate Posts: 47 Member
    No. The only super accurate method is to get it done professionally. The next best thing is a high quality scale. Although even the scale wont be super accurate, it is useful to observe trends in your body fat and whether it is going consistently down (or up).

    I use the scale to measure mine and also some body fat calipers which are another good way if you know how to use them properly. My scale and calipers give me fairly identical readings so that's what I go by.

    I have always wondered about the scales that say they can measure body fat percentage--how do they calculate it? It seems weird to me that a scale would be able to do it at all, with or without any accuracy.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    No. The only super accurate method is to get it done professionally. The next best thing is a high quality scale. Although even the scale wont be super accurate, it is useful to observe trends in your body fat and whether it is going consistently down (or up).

    I use the scale to measure mine and also some body fat calipers which are another good way if you know how to use them properly. My scale and calipers give me fairly identical readings so that's what I go by.

    I have always wondered about the scales that say they can measure body fat percentage--how do they calculate it? It seems weird to me that a scale would be able to do it at all, with or without any accuracy.

    No scales don't work either...I had one..it measured me at 33% bf...I am 25%...

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