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    What's my body fat% (with pics)?

    Posts: 69 Member
    edited March 2 in Fitness and Exercise
    Hi Folks,

    I'm curious what my BF% is, and I don't have callipers. My scale says I'm 25% BF, and I know scales are not that accurate. My best friend came over and it said she was 12% BF, which didn't seem accurate, so now I'm curious. Also, what is a healthy/optimal body fat %? I've got a little padding, and don't think I'm overweight.

    For context, I'm:

    5'4"
    125 pounds
    Lift weights 3x/week

    281a4930-cfc6-4c25-82e0-05e7c2444364_zpscfb8e08d.png

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    Replies

    • Posts: 5
      The only way I see doing this by picture is by comparing to another picture.


      http://www.nutristrength.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/body-fat-percentage-men-women.png
    • Posts: 251 Member
      I certainly don't think it's 25%, but I don't know. What I do know is that you look amazing! Killer back!!
    • Posts: 552 Member
      If you were 12% BF you'd be a LOT more muscular than what you are. I'd say 20% maybe?
    • Posts: 495 Member
      I don't think you're 25%, I'd say around 20%?
    • Posts: 1,945 Member
      I was thinking 20%. Which is top of 'athletic' range and bottom of 'normal'. Bikini competitor!

      Perfect! Best of both worlds.

      Congratulations x
    • Posts: 343 Member
      As a female @12% BF you'd be dangerously low! Her body would not be functioning the way a normal female's would (i.e. lose the ability to menstruate) . I agree that around 20% is a good estimate and you look great!
    • Posts: 15,151 Member
      I'd say who cares cuz you look fantastic!!!
    • Posts: 5,481 Member
      If you were 12% BF you'd be a LOT more muscular than what you are. I'd say 20% maybe?

      She didn't say she was 12% she said her friend thinks she (her friend) is 12%.
    • Posts: 1,623 Member
      I'd say somewhere in the 23-25% range...
    • Posts: 734 Member
      I'd say somewhere in the 23-25% range...

      ditto
    • Posts: 59 Member
      My guess is 20%

      I don't have a scale but there is a website where you can enter your height, weight and waist size and it came up with 24% for me? I am actually same height as you, half an inch taller and 2 pounds heavier than you, but you have a lot more muscle than me!

      And you are perfect I listen to a health radio station and they say it's really not healthy for women to be less than 20% in their child bearing years! You look fit and still a woman!!! Keep it up!
    • Posts: 249 Member
      try this website: http://www.fat2fittools.com/tools/mbf/

      personally, you look like less than 20%, more like around 18 or 17?
    • Posts: 353 Member
      Im bigger than you and im 22.8% Id say your 17% - 18%
    • Posts: 69 Member
      Thanks everyone,
      Looks like the median is 20%, which I will take happily :)
    • Posts: 69 Member
      The only way I see doing this by picture is by comparing to another picture.


      http://www.nutristrength.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/body-fat-percentage-men-women.png

      This was really helpful, looks like 20-25% to me based on these photos :)
    • Posts: 69 Member
      As a female @12% BF you'd be dangerously low! Her body would not be functioning the way a normal female's would (i.e. lose the ability to menstruate) . I agree that around 20% is a good estimate and you look great!

      Thanks. And that's what got me curious. My friend is 135 lbs, 5'6" and lovely, slim but not low BF. She is curvy and just perfect.

      Also, thanks on the compliment. Two kids later and I've got the body I never had in my early 20's (thank you MFP) :)
    • Posts: 486 Member
      You are NOT 25%. I just got my body fat tested - the kind where you get submerged in a tank of water - which is supposed to be very accurate - and I am 25%. According to the calculations, I have about 13 pounds to lose to get to where I want to be which is 20% (I am 5'10", 166 lbs, 34 y/o female). I can tell you for sure that I have more "padding" than you, so you are definitely less than 25%. I would say just by your pictures alone, you are closer to 18-20 range, which is totally healthy, and not over-weight.
    • Posts: 69 Member
      You are NOT 25%. I just got my body fat tested - the kind where you get submerged in a tank of water - which is supposed to be very accurate - and I am 25%. According to the calculations, I have about 13 pounds to lose to get to where I want to be which is 20% (I am 5'10", 166 lbs, 34 y/o female). I can tell you for sure that I have more "padding" than you, so you are definitely less than 25%. I would say just by your pictures alone, you are closer to 18-20 range, which is totally healthy, and not over-weight.

      Hey thanks- that is about as accurate as you can get, measurement wise. And we are the same age :)
    • Posts: 587 Member
      I agree with 20%. You look amazing. You are muscular but still smooth- if that makes any sense, lol. This is the lowest I would want to go in BF as a woman, if I could ever get there. But that's just my personal preference.
    • Posts: 4,252 Member
      I vote 20% as well!
    • Posts: 1,241 Member
      Looking at picture range I second the 18-20 opinion.
      Your friend - 12% - very muscular - thin layer of skin on flesh?
      Is she competing?
    • Posts: 66 Member
      You look fantastic, regardless of your numbers!
    • Posts: 833 Member
      I'd say who cares cuz you look fantastic!!!

      Ditto
    • Posts: 3 Member
      The only way I see doing this by picture is by comparing to another picture.


      http://www.nutristrength.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/body-fat-percentage-men-women.png


      Very helpful post, Thank you.
    This discussion has been closed.

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