Muscle Mass % ??

sbl1881
sbl1881 Posts: 213 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
So, I have a fancy scale that tracks weight, body fat %, water weight %, muscle mass %, bone density (I think). I know where I should be ideally for my weight and body fat, and it's nice to see when my weight fluctuates due to water, but I've never really paid attention to the muscle mass %. Is there an "ideal" range to be in? I'm 5'3, 139 and trying to get back in low-mid 120's. I do not want to lose muscle to lose weight, and do work out 4-5 times a week. My current muscle mass is showing at 35.8%. I know these things are 100% accurate, but just was curious to know what the experts out there thought.

Thanks!

Replies

  • kathrynjean_
    kathrynjean_ Posts: 428 Member
    edited March 2016
    Those kinds of scales are notoriously inaccurate. Some people say you can use them to see a trend, but even then my understanding is that it is skewed so much by water that it can vary dramatically.

    My advice would be to ignore the number completely and lift heavy while eating at a moderate deficit. That way you can preserve as much of your lean body mass as you can while losing weight :)

    ETA: You say that you're currently working out 4 days a week. Are you following any sort of a progressive heavy lifting program at the moment or focusing mainly on cardio?
  • sbl1881
    sbl1881 Posts: 213 Member
    Thanks. I am using it for trendy only.

    I mainly do cardio now. I just started the C25K program and am also in a group boxing class. I'd like to add in strength training at some point, but it will never be "heavy lifting". I'm just not interested in that.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,340 Member
    kathrynjean_ wrote: »
    Those kinds of scales are notoriously inaccurate. Some people say you can use them to see a trend, but even then my understanding is that it is skewed so much by water that it can vary dramatically.

    My advice would be to ignore the number completely and lift heavy while eating at a moderate deficit. That way you can preserve as much of your lean body mass as you can while losing weight :)

    ETA: You say that you're currently working out 4 days a week. Are you following any sort of a progressive heavy lifting program at the moment or focusing mainly on cardio?

    Notoriously inaccurate to say the least. Good article about the accuracy (or lack thereof) of BIA devices: http://weightology.net/weightologyweekly/index.php/free-content/free-content/volume-1-issue-4-the-pitfalls-of-body-fat-measurement-parts-3-and-4-bod-pod-and-bioelectrical-impedance-bia/the-pitfalls-of-bodyfat-measurement-part-4-bioelectrical-impedance-bia/
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