% body fat

Verne · 14-09-2007, 06:18 PM

The missus isnt one of the sporting fraternity so I was pleasantly surprised that she bought me one of those cheapo hand held body fat % calculators. Enter your height, weight and age, stick your fingers across the electrodes and hey presto. I was also surprised at the value returned, 28.8%. Now I dont pretend to be in your league boys, but I never considered myself overweight nor skinny either. 5ft 11", 14st, 50 yrs of age. So...has anybody got a simple method of calculating body fat without the need for calipers measuring to the nearest nano metre and sampling 27 locations on the body so I can see if this thing is anywhere near accurate?

Verne

bulldozer · 14-09-2007, 06:29 PM

There is no accurate way mate, except being weighed under water in a tank.

Calipers are not accurate either, they are just a guide.

That machine you have is only good for a paper weight im afraid mate.

**Tall** · 14-09-2007, 06:56 PM

People can guess based on a photo, but even that can hide fat.

Par example - Some people store fat around the hips and thighs and yet can have a flat stomach with abs showing. Some people can purely store fat in the stomach area and yet be almost paper thin every where else.

There are a few indicators of low body fat: Abs showing, visible separation of the anterior and medial delts, lack of love handles, visible defined calves, separation between of the biceps brachii etc

**Bodyworks** · 14-09-2007, 08:49 PM

no, no. it's easy. everyone's around 12% aren't they ? i'd say, if you can see one ab when flexing as hard as possible and standing in the correct light (or if you can't actually visably SEE an ab, but can visualise where one is) then you gotta be around 12%, right ?

**Tall** · 14-09-2007, 08:59 PM

12% is the bodybuilders version of us normal peoples 18%...

If you can't see your abs your about 18%...

Bodybuilders do the same thing but they work on the basis that they have bigger lats so they are 12% when they can visualise their abs...

splinter · 19-09-2007, 02:37 PM

what if you can see 4 abs but have fat covering the other 2?

12%

i mean im 6.1 at 76kg with a 32waste

**Tall** · 19-09-2007, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splinter

what if you can see 4 abs but have fat covering the other 2?

12%

i mean im 6.1 at 76kg with a 32waste

All speculation without a photo.

And even with a photo its still just speculation...

Ali M · 19-09-2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallHeavyAndSkinny

All speculation without a photo.

And even with a photo its still just speculation...

and u love your photo's of naked men dont you Sir..

**Tall** · 19-09-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ali M

and u love your photo's of naked men dont you Sir..

You know my heart beats only for you Mr Mehrban...

Ali M · 19-09-2007, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallHeavyAndSkinny

Mehrban...

LOL! you done some digging around Sir, pmsl

14-09-2007, 06:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Verne Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Manchester Posts: 144 Rep Power:	% body fat The missus isnt one of the sporting fraternity so I was pleasantly surprised that she bought me one of those cheapo hand held body fat % calculators. Enter your height, weight and age, stick your fingers across the electrodes and hey presto. I was also surprised at the value returned, 28.8%. Now I dont pretend to be in your league boys, but I never considered myself overweight nor skinny either. 5ft 11", 14st, 50 yrs of age. So...has anybody got a simple method of calculating body fat without the need for calipers measuring to the nearest nano metre and sampling 27 locations on the body so I can see if this thing is anywhere near accurate? Verne

14-09-2007, 06:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
bulldozer Making Progress Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 501 Rep Power:	Re: % body fat There is no accurate way mate, except being weighed under water in a tank. Calipers are not accurate either, they are just a guide. That machine you have is only good for a paper weight im afraid mate. ______________________ Opinions are like as*holes.......Everybody has one

14-09-2007, 06:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tall Moderator Musclechat Icon Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bulgaria. Posts: 2,995 Rep Power:	Re: % body fat People can guess based on a photo, but even that can hide fat. Par example - Some people store fat around the hips and thighs and yet can have a flat stomach with abs showing. Some people can purely store fat in the stomach area and yet be almost paper thin every where else. There are a few indicators of low body fat: Abs showing, visible separation of the anterior and medial delts, lack of love handles, visible defined calves, separation between of the biceps brachii etc

14-09-2007, 08:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bodyworks Moderator Musclechat Icon Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: west yorkshire Posts: 1,203 Rep Power:	Re: % body fat no, no. it's easy. everyone's around 12% aren't they ? i'd say, if you can see one ab when flexing as hard as possible and standing in the correct light (or if you can't actually visably SEE an ab, but can visualise where one is) then you gotta be around 12%, right ? ______________________ LADIES TRAINING DVD AVAILABLE FROM www.rachael-grice.co.uk www.extremenutrion.co.uk Bodyworks is a stockist of Crystal Light & Sugar Free Tang. send PM for details.

14-09-2007, 08:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tall Moderator Musclechat Icon Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bulgaria. Posts: 2,995 Rep Power:	Re: % body fat 12% is the bodybuilders version of us normal peoples 18%... If you can't see your abs your about 18%... Bodybuilders do the same thing but they work on the basis that they have bigger lats so they are 12% when they can visualise their abs...

19-09-2007, 02:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
splinter Illuminati Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London Posts: 1,351 Rep Power:	Re: % body fat what if you can see 4 abs but have fat covering the other 2? 12% i mean im 6.1 at 76kg with a 32waste

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