Measuring body fat percentage

bpetrosky
bpetrosky Posts: 3,911 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm not sure if this is the best board to ask this in, but here goes:

I'd like to add a periodic body fat check to my suite of measurements to monitor my progress. My scale does electronically estimate body fat, but I have no idea if it is even close.

Currently, I take circumference measurements with tape weekly (neck, chest, hips, waist), just started that a couple weeks ago.
Is there a good calculation that can use the tape measurements, or should I get some calipers? Is there a preferred method to use that I can do without someone else having to help out?

Replies

  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    You could get calipers for cheap.. I just do measurements. None of the above are 100% accurate but IMO much better than scale measurements. I have used the tape measure for years and I'm happy with that.
  • CockneyLady2014
    CockneyLady2014 Posts: 199 Member
    I have callipers but all the information I have been given body fat percentage measurement is one of the hardest to ascertain and it doesn't tend to be reliable.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,487 Member
    I use a caliper, tape measurements and the scale. When using the caliper you need to know your weight to do the calculations for the measurement tables so this is where the scale comes in. There are many calipers out there and depends on if you want to pay money for the electronic/digital.
  • MoiAussi93
    MoiAussi93 Posts: 1,948 Member
    edited May 2015
    I use my scale and various formulas using tape measurements. I have a spreadsheet that calculates body fat using a number of different formulas...I think they are all given in the link below. For me, the Navy formula is always within 1 or 2% of the body fat percentage my scale gives me. This is true now, and it was true when I weighed much more as well. Different formulas work better for some body types than others (for example, if a formula only uses waist measurement, and you carry the majority of your fat in the abdominal area, it might overestimate your body fat percentage). You can easily determine which is best for you. I track all of them, look at the average, and also track my scale %.

    http://strengthunbound.com/measure-body-fat-easily-accurately-home/
  • Arliah
    Arliah Posts: 266 Member
    I use my scale, and it seems to be fairly accurate (compared to the caliper, measuring and looking at pics of other members with comparable stats). Once I am at my goal weight and do some more lifting (more as to compared to what I am doing now already), I may pay a bit more attention to BF%. Overall, right now I am happy as long as the general trend is down :)
  • bpetrosky
    bpetrosky Posts: 3,911 Member
    MoiAussi93 wrote: »
    I use my scale and various formulas using tape measurements. I have a spreadsheet that calculates body fat using a number of different formulas...I think they are all given in the link below. For me, the Navy formula is always within 1 or 2% of the body fat percentage my scale gives me. This is true now, and it was true when I weighed much more as well. Different formulas work better for some body types than others (for example, if a formula only uses waist measurement, and you carry the majority of your fat in the abdominal area, it might overestimate your body fat percentage). You can easily determine which is best for you. I track all of them, look at the average, and also track my scale %.

    http://strengthunbound.com/measure-body-fat-easily-accurately-home/

    Thanks, a lot of good info and formulas in there. I might see if I can build a little app for myself to do the calcs.
  • MoiAussi93
    MoiAussi93 Posts: 1,948 Member
    bpetrosky wrote: »
    MoiAussi93 wrote: »
    I use my scale and various formulas using tape measurements. I have a spreadsheet that calculates body fat using a number of different formulas...I think they are all given in the link below. For me, the Navy formula is always within 1 or 2% of the body fat percentage my scale gives me. This is true now, and it was true when I weighed much more as well. Different formulas work better for some body types than others (for example, if a formula only uses waist measurement, and you carry the majority of your fat in the abdominal area, it might overestimate your body fat percentage). You can easily determine which is best for you. I track all of them, look at the average, and also track my scale %.

    http://strengthunbound.com/measure-body-fat-easily-accurately-home/

    Thanks, a lot of good info and formulas in there. I might see if I can build a little app for myself to do the calcs.

    You're welcome!
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