Travel Health and Fitness - Body fat percentage

Most people look at weight, but IMO, another often overlooked part is percent body fat. So does anyone have any reliable way to do it?

I have/use a Withings scale (www.withings.com). If you stand on it in bare feet, after it gives your weight, it will also provide your body fat % and BMI (I think I had to enter my height at some point). There are others that are similar, Tanita comes to mind (and they partner with Garmin). I like the online charting with Withings, and also have their iPhone app where I could refer to past measurements.

Body fat does vary quite a bit, I've found, mostly based on how much water I've had for the day. But if you measure it consistently at about the same time of day, under similar conditions, you'll start to notice trends.

When going in my gym once a year or so ago, one of the trainers was trying to hawk supplements or something, and as part of that they were doing body fat tests. They had calipers...I think they did a bicep, my neck, possibly another measurement. Then they also had some electronic machine to compare the two.

Occasionally, ASU will do in-water body fat tests. I have no idea how accurate those are. Someone once told me that the most accurate body fat test is one that can only be done on a corpse.

Before I got too excited about working out and fitness (5-6 years ago), my body fat % was 22% or higher. Now it generally is in the 10-12% range, which seems ok for me.

From what I've read, the in-water body fat tests are some of the more reliable ones.

I bought a fancy scale that was supposed to tell me body fat & a bunch of other stuff. I could never figure out how to program it, so I just use it for the weight part.

Cheers.

From what I've read, the in-water body fat tests are some of the more reliable ones.

I bought a fancy scale that was supposed to tell me body fat & a bunch of other stuff. I could never figure out how to program it, so I just use it for the weight part.

Cheers.

Being weighed in the water is the most accurate way.

Skin-fold calipers can be pretty accurate if a trained person is doing the testing.

Scales one can buy that claim to calculate body fat % usually use height and weight to make a general guess.

The in water submersion tests are the most accurate. Followed by the caliper method. The least accurate method is the scale/handheld device. For people who are very athletic they scales can be way off. A coworker of mine who is fit as a fiddle and runs at lunch every day was told he had 30% at his last health screening (our employer incentivizes these). Another runner in his running group was given the number 60%!

So unless you are using the water or caliper methods is it probably best to ignore the body fat percentage numbers and look at BMI instead. For the vast majority of people BMI and true body fat percentage numbers will lead to about the same conclusion.

So unless you are using the water or caliper methods is it probably best to ignore the body fat percentage numbers and look at BMI instead. For the vast majority of people BMI and true body fat percentage numbers will lead to about the same conclusion.

My scale was within 2% of the caliper method. There should be an 'athlete' setting on the scale--if not, get one where there is.

The scale somehow sends a pulse through your body. If you stand on it with anything but bare feet, it will not record a body fat reading.

I'Ve had BodPod testing done (zero gravity that mimics the underwater) and was pretty impressed by the analysis. I've got access to one through one of my club memberships - it's not cheap but I think it's pretty accurate!

I have/use a Withings scale (www.withings.com). If you stand on it in bare feet, after it gives your weight, it will also provide your body fat % and BMI (I think I had to enter my height at some point). There are others that are similar, Tanita comes to mind (and they partner with Garmin). I like the online charting with Withings, and also have their iPhone app where I could refer to past measurements.

Body fat does vary quite a bit, I've found, mostly based on how much water I've had for the day. But if you measure it consistently at about the same time of day, under similar conditions, you'll start to notice trends.

When going in my gym once a year or so ago, one of the trainers was trying to hawk supplements or something, and as part of that they were doing body fat tests. They had calipers...I think they did a bicep, my neck, possibly another measurement. Then they also had some electronic machine to compare the two.

Occasionally, ASU will do in-water body fat tests. I have no idea how accurate those are. Someone once told me that the most accurate body fat test is one that can only be done on a corpse.

Before I got too excited about working out and fitness (5-6 years ago), my body fat % was 22% or higher. Now it generally is in the 10-12% range, which seems ok for me.

Another vote for the Withings scale. I actually have two, and they both link to the same account, one at home and one in another country at my apartment. Love the iPhone app as well.

. For people who are very athletic they scales can be way off.

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So unless you are using the water or caliper methods is it probably best to ignore the body fat percentage numbers and look at BMI instead.


For those who are very athletic BMI can be way off. Think muscular people.

For those who are very athletic BMI can be way off. Think muscular people.

An, "athlete," setting on the scale should take care of that issue.

An, "athlete," setting on the scale should take care of that issue.

Does it change the BMI number?

"athlete" isn't very descriptive....I'm betting a body builder and a marathoner would both say "athlete" but their BMI is going to be VERY different (BMI is height/weight based).

Does it change the BMI number?

"athlete" isn't very descriptive....I'm betting a body builder and a marathoner would both say "athlete" but their BMI is going to be VERY different (BMI is height/weight based).

I've been told by nurses that the more important indicator is body fat percentage, and that BMI is used to quickly get a good number that will show whether body fat percentage needs to be improved or if it is ok. Getting height and weight and plugging it in a calculator is easier than getting a rough estimate of body fat %.

I've been told by nurses that the more important indicator is body fat percentage, and that BMI is used to quickly get a good number that will show whether body fat percentage needs to be improved or if it is ok. Getting height and weight and plugging it in a calculator is easier than getting a rough estimate of body fat %.

I agree body fat is a much better indicator.

I also agree that height/weight in a calculator is easier but easier and inaccurate isn't so good in my book.

I have issues with my BMI... When I am training a lot (cycling) my BMI actually tends to go up even though I am shedding fat (big legs)... If I want to loose weight diet is the only way to do it... Thanks for the info, I will look into those scales/techniques...