We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

How do you measure body fat at home?

FitnessFan1981
FitnessFan1981 Posts: 2 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm curious how people measure and track their body fat percentage. I have the Omron HBF-306C Hand Held Body Fat Analyzer. It's okay but seems to vary a lot. Do you have an at home way to measure body fat that you find to be accurate and not to difficult or time consuming?

Replies

  • SwindonJogger
    SwindonJogger Posts: 325 Member
    i use bodyfat calipers. Not as quick to get a measurement as scales but you get a more accurate result. The electronic scales vary too much based on hydration levels i have found.
  • CindyFooWho
    CindyFooWho Posts: 179 Member
    Mirror

    :smile:
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    tape measure and mirror..

    those hand held things are massively inaccurate...
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    edited October 2016
    Bodyfat calipers (like $15 ones) and the assistance of my wife.
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    I have an Omron scale with 4 connectors - 2 hands, 2 feet. This is what I use most often.

    I also have calipers. I use this less often because it is less convenient.

    When I get to my goal weight, which will probably be before the end of this year, I plan to get a BodPod test.

    The Omron scale is always much higher than calipers... obviously unrealistically high. But it is mostly consistent.
  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,997 Member
    There's no way to accurately measure BF at home. Everything is just a guess. Calipers or bio-resistance device, take your pick. It will be inaccurate by at least 5-10%, most likely on the high side.

    You can gauge your progress w/a tape measure, just looking in the mirror, taking pics and trying on old/smaller clothes BUT the only ways to truly measure BF is to get DEXA scanned or weighed hydrostatically.
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    tape measure and mirror..

    This. As well as taking photos. I don't go for an exact number but progress. As long as I am heading in the right direction I'm happy
This discussion has been closed.

Categories