How do you determine body fat percentage?

CaraMae1
CaraMae1 Posts: 7 Member
in Getting Started
What is the most accurate way to determine your body fat percentage. I have no clue where to begin. :)

Replies

  • SparrowGal2014
    SparrowGal2014 Posts: 33 Member
    Hey. The most accurate is hydrostatic weighing BUT that's usually used for research. You can get hand held machines or scales,too but not as accurate unless it touches your hands &feet. EASIEST-are websites that you can plug in your measurements-google BMI/BMR calculator. You'll just need a tape measure! GOOD LUCK!
  • CaraMae1
    CaraMae1 Posts: 7 Member
    Thank you, that's really helpful! I thought I was going to need a fancy scale or something.. :)
  • sheedy17
    sheedy17 Posts: 128
    if you have a gym membership, depending on the gym, they have a machine that can give you a print out ( one of the trainers allowed me to use their machine) thats how I got mine
  • RobPA1
    RobPA1 Posts: 48 Member
    Google 'Bod Pod" its a great method and only costs about $40 if there is one near you. Or, google army body fat test, which is a good estimate only using a tape measure and your height weight and age. Or, go to body building dot com, and they have pics in their forum of people and their percentages, so you can match up to one that's close to you. Or (my last or) you can buy calipers and do a pinch test.
  • jjplato
    jjplato Posts: 155 Member
    The Navy body fat estimation technique is supposed to be pretty accurate (not as accurate as hydrostatic weighing, though). For men, it uses three body measurements: height, neck circumference, and waist (around the belly button). For women, it adds a fourth measurement: hips.

    You can Google "Navy body fat calculator" and find a bunch of online calculators. The one I use is: http://www.thrivepersonalfitness.com/bodyfat-calculator/

    But really, since my height and neck circumference don't change day-to-day, I just use my waist measurement to judge whether I'm gaining fat or holding the line. One of these days I'll do the hydrostatic method and see how it compares to what the Navy method says.

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