Body Fat Percentage
ellioc2
Posts: 148 Member
How do you all figure out your body fat percentage? I know there’s the calipers that’s pretty low-cost, but I know you do need to be trained on them. I don’t really have access to any specific trainers or people who can assist me with that. All I have is an old fashioned scale, measuring tape and some mirrors but I think it would help me to know where my body fat is sitting at, especially since my main goal is to get leaner. Just curious how others are figuring it out!
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Ballpark estimates based on online comparison pictures to those who have been accurately tested. “ yeah I look like that”
About as accurate as any other device minus dexa or bodpod2 -
I don't really know mine, despite running bulk and cut cycles with the main aim of increasing muscle and/or lowering my bodyfat. I kind of compare to photos of people, I take measurements (make sure certain ones are going down, others are increasing or staying the same), I compare my own progress photos and at the end I get an idea how I'm doing based on how close I am to my physique goals.2
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I used 6 monthly BodPod tests but wasn't particularly impressed with them - got a reasonable trend during my main weight loss period but also got one reading that was obviously inaccurate. Poor value for money.
Also used a domestic 4 sensor BIA device which gave a reasonable trend but with the expected weird and wonderful individual readings along the way. Good value for money right up to the point they broke!
When I got close to goal and as the BIA scales had broken I just went by online comparison pictures (such as Builtlean). I replaced my bathroom scales / BIA device with a 2 sensor model and they were only good for a chuckle.
I sometimes use a commercial quality 4 sensor BIA device (Boditrax) at my gym and again it gives a reasonable trend, but it's just out of curiosity really, I don't have any ambition to be a certain percentage. Still gives some weird readings but mostly reasonable/believable if you are careful to use it under consistent conditions.
Calipers can be reasonable used by a trained person but you really need to have it done rather than do it on yourself or the number of measuring sites are limited and you can put tension in your skin/muscles by contorting yourself and get false readings.
Tape measure and progress pictures (be consistent with lighting and posture) would seem to be fine for your goal as it seems to be a look and not a number.0 -
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Hope this helps https://www.calculator.net/body-fat-calculator.html
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I used 6 monthly BodPod tests but wasn't particularly impressed with them - got a reasonable trend during my main weight loss period but also got one reading that was obviously inaccurate. Poor value for money.
Also used a domestic 4 sensor BIA device which gave a reasonable trend but with the expected weird and wonderful individual readings along the way. Good value for money right up to the point they broke!
When I got close to goal and as the BIA scales had broken I just went by online comparison pictures (such as Builtlean). I replaced my bathroom scales / BIA device with a 2 sensor model and they were only good for a chuckle.
I sometimes use a commercial quality 4 sensor BIA device (Boditrax) at my gym and again it gives a reasonable trend, but it's just out of curiosity really, I don't have any ambition to be a certain percentage. Still gives some weird readings but mostly reasonable/believable if you are careful to use it under consistent conditions.
Calipers can be reasonable used by a trained person but you really need to have it done rather than do it on yourself or the number of measuring sites are limited and you can put tension in your skin/muscles by contorting yourself and get false readings.
Tape measure and progress pictures (be consistent with lighting and posture) would seem to be fine for your goal as it seems to be a look and not a number.
I’d like to know how muscular I am. I always have been more muscular, in the higher percentile, but you might not know it looking at me because it’s covered in a layer of fat. But I’d feel better about being at a higher weight if I knew I had more muscle and that’s what’s contributing to it.
The best way to find out how much muscle you have is to lean out and see. It will be like opening a gift at Christmas. At least that is how I always look at it
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quiksylver296 wrote: »
Yup. Compared a bunch of different methods and photo comparison seemed to be the best bang for your buck. You can also post pics on here and experienced people can get you in the ballpark.0 -
I used 6 monthly BodPod tests but wasn't particularly impressed with them - got a reasonable trend during my main weight loss period but also got one reading that was obviously inaccurate. Poor value for money.
Also used a domestic 4 sensor BIA device which gave a reasonable trend but with the expected weird and wonderful individual readings along the way. Good value for money right up to the point they broke!
When I got close to goal and as the BIA scales had broken I just went by online comparison pictures (such as Builtlean). I replaced my bathroom scales / BIA device with a 2 sensor model and they were only good for a chuckle.
I sometimes use a commercial quality 4 sensor BIA device (Boditrax) at my gym and again it gives a reasonable trend, but it's just out of curiosity really, I don't have any ambition to be a certain percentage. Still gives some weird readings but mostly reasonable/believable if you are careful to use it under consistent conditions.
Calipers can be reasonable used by a trained person but you really need to have it done rather than do it on yourself or the number of measuring sites are limited and you can put tension in your skin/muscles by contorting yourself and get false readings.
Tape measure and progress pictures (be consistent with lighting and posture) would seem to be fine for your goal as it seems to be a look and not a number.
I’d like to know how muscular I am. I always have been more muscular, in the higher percentile, but you might not know it looking at me because it’s covered in a layer of fat. But I’d feel better about being at a higher weight if I knew I had more muscle and that’s what’s contributing to it.
You could always post a picture in a fitness forum and ask for honest opinions. Alternately, if you lift and think that you are strong and have a decent muscle base - but can't see it yet. You could look at sites like strength standards and compare your lifts to see where you stand. If you only rate beginner/novice you probably don't have as much of a base as you think. If you are solidly into high intermediate/advanced then it's probably there.3 -
I used 6 monthly BodPod tests but wasn't particularly impressed with them - got a reasonable trend during my main weight loss period but also got one reading that was obviously inaccurate. Poor value for money.
Also used a domestic 4 sensor BIA device which gave a reasonable trend but with the expected weird and wonderful individual readings along the way. Good value for money right up to the point they broke!
When I got close to goal and as the BIA scales had broken I just went by online comparison pictures (such as Builtlean). I replaced my bathroom scales / BIA device with a 2 sensor model and they were only good for a chuckle.
I sometimes use a commercial quality 4 sensor BIA device (Boditrax) at my gym and again it gives a reasonable trend, but it's just out of curiosity really, I don't have any ambition to be a certain percentage. Still gives some weird readings but mostly reasonable/believable if you are careful to use it under consistent conditions.
Calipers can be reasonable used by a trained person but you really need to have it done rather than do it on yourself or the number of measuring sites are limited and you can put tension in your skin/muscles by contorting yourself and get false readings.
Tape measure and progress pictures (be consistent with lighting and posture) would seem to be fine for your goal as it seems to be a look and not a number.
I’d like to know how muscular I am. I always have been more muscular, in the higher percentile, but you might not know it looking at me because it’s covered in a layer of fat. But I’d feel better about being at a higher weight if I knew I had more muscle and that’s what’s contributing to it.
Are dexa scans or hydrostatic testing available near you? (Probably the most accurate estimations but cost varies a lot.)
When I got to my original goal weight I realised I wasn't quite as muscular under my fat suit as I used to be, hope you have a better result.
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jseams1234 wrote: »
Right. Usually need to see the person in a bikini, or sports bra and bottoms to get a better idea. The mid-section typically holds a lot of fat and the shirt flowing away from the area makes it pretty much impossible to guess.5 -
My trainer does mine based on observation and caliper test...he does several points...7 or 9 or something like that.2
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cwolfman13 wrote: »My trainer does mine based on observation and caliper test...he does several points...7 or 9 or something like that.
Same.0 -
quiksylver296 wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »My trainer does mine based on observation and caliper test...he does several points...7 or 9 or something like that.
Same.
Right now he says I'm fluffy...about 6 Lbs up from my usual maintenance of 180...even at 180 I'm about 15%...trying to get down to 175 because we're building a pool and I'll be spending a lot more time with my shirt off.1 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »My trainer does mine based on observation and caliper test...he does several points...7 or 9 or something like that.
Same.
Right now he says I'm fluffy...about 6 Lbs up from my usual maintenance of 180...even at 180 I'm about 15%...trying to get down to 175 because we're building a pool and I'll be spending a lot more time with my shirt off.
I'm bulking and up to 23% and I'm about at my mental limit. :laugh: I had to try on three pairs of pants yesterday morning before I found a pair I could wear to work.3 -
Hope this helps https://www.calculator.net/body-fat-calculator.html
This is one that I've used--it looks similar--it's good for ball-parking, too, and is consistent with the weigh/take measurements regularly school of thought.0 -
I use a SmartScale to track mine. I personally feel tracking it myself is too tedious and prone to errors ! So I use the SmartScale by Actofit ! You can check it out here - https://amazon.in/stores/page/C489FE5F-2326-4014-926E-798630DBCADB?ingress=3&visitId=d12abd89-91d3-4453-955e-2842ead869091
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Great work on the changes you've made. I'd guesstimate 25-ish%.1
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There’s an app I use (Body Tracker) that gives step by step instructions for using calipers. It covers 6 or 7 different methods and does all the averaging for you. You still need someone to take the measurements for you, but they don’t need any formal training.1
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Here are some better pictures. I’d love to think it’s not just all fat 😭 my waist has been getting smaller (used to be 35 inches, us now 31 inches) but my hips have pretty much stayed the same and I’m pretty insecure about my arms and my “hip dips”.
Visually, I have you around 25-26%. You are making great progress. So, keep on the path. Bear in mind of you try to calculate muscle mass, that everything that is lean mass is not muscle. You have bone, organs, water etc. 4 inches of your waist is great. I wouldn't be so concerned about the hips. I've lost 5+ inches off my waist and only 1 or 2 off my hips. I am now at a healthy hip to waist ratio.
You are progressing nicely! Keep going!0 -
Are dexa scans or hydrostatic testing available near you? (Probably the most accurate estimations but cost varies a lot.)
^^ This! hydrostatic testing.
I've wondered this for a long time, how to find out my actual body fat %, as weight is only one facet of things... I found in my area a service called bodyfattest.com/..(I'm in Southern California). They have trucks in a smattering of states/cities. I've gone for 7 tests over the past 4 years, and just went there this morning, as they just happened to have an event near where I work..
No more guessing w/ something like this! My first test was 17.8% body fat, and my lowest was 9.2%.. As of this morning, I'm at 10.6%!
I believe some gyms might offer this as well.
(I'm not affiliated w/ the company or anything.. I'm just a pleased customer).
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