Accurate measures of % body fat.

bjt · 14-04-2004, 09:11 PM

Hi there,

Does anyone know of any truely accurate % body fat measurements.

I know there are scales which claim to measure your body fat - that is once you've told it what your height and 'body type' is... But this is quite unsatisfactory. It's often an arbitary classification deciding whether you're slim or medium ( or medium/heavy) build. The %'s they give are statistical, they're not really measuring *your* body fat percentage.

There must be a way of *accurately* measuring % body fat.

Can anyone shed some light on this please?

cheers

bjt

vinger · 15-04-2004, 10:56 AM

Special calipers are used to measure folds of skin around specific spots on the body.

This is not a precise method; but it is relatively accurate if a training professional conducts the test.

Unfortunately, there is a variety of formulas that can be used to estimate body fat and quite often it is performed slightly different by each person.

I think the most accurate way is to be weighed in water, how you go about this i have no idea. :?

Anonymous · 15-04-2004, 05:52 PM

i think u can get this done at good private health farms,

dont no how much it costs,but it is the most affective.

the scales are definately out.

i came in at 32% bodyfat and i was cutting

bjt · 15-04-2004, 07:19 PM

When i think about it. If you had a set of scales under a tank of water, and then you got into the water, the scales would go up by exactly what you weigh.

So i'm guessing that the point of the tank is to discover your body volume.
But i don't know how to relate body density to % body fat. There must be a formula that helps you do this. I'll have a squint on the net and let you know.

cheers guys :-)

bjt

mark · 16-04-2004, 11:24 AM

Yeah my scales weight me at 22% bf and I am definately less than that. My mrs is fit and she trains 4 times a week, hardly any fat on her and they measure her at 30 something!!!!

garethxxx · 18-04-2004, 08:22 PM

Well I guess we all have problems with body fat.

The problem is they tend to measure body water, rather than fat. The best way to measure would be through the calipers, but even then you may only carry more fat in one part of the body than others, like myself, around the waist.

The best one is done at the gym and it very effective, it measure the fat but also cholestorol levels and blood pressure, thats the only way of being completely sure of the result.

Sometimes a visit to the docs is needed if you are uncertain for a full check up but it is worth it if you want to monitor creatine level, blood pressure and your heart rate.

I remember when I did my first BF test, 38.7%. Shocking now Im down to just over 16% want to lose a bit more and then I will be really happy!!

Nick500 · 26-07-2006, 05:12 PM

bump from a long time ago, still relevant...

14-04-2004, 09:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
bjt Under Construction Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: London Posts: 10 Rep Power:	Accurate measures of % body fat. Hi there, Does anyone know of any truely accurate % body fat measurements. I know there are scales which claim to measure your body fat - that is once you've told it what your height and 'body type' is... But this is quite unsatisfactory. It's often an arbitary classification deciding whether you're slim or medium ( or medium/heavy) build. The %'s they give are statistical, they're not really measuring your body fat percentage. There must be a way of accurately measuring % body fat. Can anyone shed some light on this please? cheers bjt

15-04-2004, 07:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
bjt Under Construction Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: London Posts: 10 Rep Power:	Cheers Guys When i think about it. If you had a set of scales under a tank of water, and then you got into the water, the scales would go up by exactly what you weigh. So i'm guessing that the point of the tank is to discover your body volume. But i don't know how to relate body density to % body fat. There must be a formula that helps you do this. I'll have a squint on the net and let you know. cheers guys :-) bjt

18-04-2004, 08:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
garethxxx Making Progress Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 190 Rep Power:	Well I guess we all have problems with body fat. The problem is they tend to measure body water, rather than fat. The best way to measure would be through the calipers, but even then you may only carry more fat in one part of the body than others, like myself, around the waist. The best one is done at the gym and it very effective, it measure the fat but also cholestorol levels and blood pressure, thats the only way of being completely sure of the result. Sometimes a visit to the docs is needed if you are uncertain for a full check up but it is worth it if you want to monitor creatine level, blood pressure and your heart rate. I remember when I did my first BF test, 38.7%. Shocking now Im down to just over 16% want to lose a bit more and then I will be really happy!! ______________________ "Living life at 18stone 10lbs is painful. Losing weight is a challenge. Feeling better about yourself after losing 6 stone...now thats worth it" Gareth Lock 01/01/04

26-07-2006, 05:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
Nick500 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bristol Posts: 3,232 Rep Power:	bump from a long time ago, still relevant... ______________________ - Obsession is what lazy people call dedication -

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15-04-2004, 10:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
vinger Making Progress Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: manchester Posts: 348 Rep Power:	Special calipers are used to measure folds of skin around specific spots on the body. This is not a precise method; but it is relatively accurate if a training professional conducts the test. Unfortunately, there is a variety of formulas that can be used to estimate body fat and quite often it is performed slightly different by each person. I think the most accurate way is to be weighed in water, how you go about this i have no idea. :?

15-04-2004, 05:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
Anonymous Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 0 Rep Power:	i think u can get this done at good private health farms, dont no how much it costs,but it is the most affective. the scales are definately out. i came in at 32% bodyfat and i was cutting

16-04-2004, 11:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
mark Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: England Posts: 365 Rep Power:	Yeah my scales weight me at 22% bf and I am definately less than that. My mrs is fit and she trains 4 times a week, hardly any fat on her and they measure her at 30 something!!!!