how to figure out bf%???

[Bajwa_99]

hi, been a couple of months since I've been back here. I just wanted to ask, is there any way I can figure out my body fat percentage?? I asked my doctor yesterday but he says he doesn't have the equipment to check my bf%, and my gym doesn't have it either. Is there any other way to find out??

[Shikacaca]

I found this on building-muscle101.com:

For men:

1. Lean body weight = 94.42 + 1.082 (body weight) - 4.15 (waist in inches)

2. Body fat percentage = body weight - lean body weight x 100/body weight




For women:

1. Lean body weight = 8.987 + .732 (weight in kilograms) + 3.786 (wrist diameter in centimetres) + .434 (forearm circumference in centimetres)

2. Body fat percentage = body weight - lean body weight x 100/body weight

I am not sure if it works, but its a good website, so give it a try.
Let me know if it works out and is accurate enough.

[Bajwa_99]

it seems pretty accurate I checked my bf % on another website and it came out 23.7% this came out 25.4%. One more question, don't know if you know the answer or not, but how many pounds of fat is equal to 1% of body fat??

[Shikacaca]

That I do not know. couldnt find anything relevant on Google either

[SNPiccolo5]

Originally Posted by Bajwa_99

it seems pretty accurate I checked my bf % on another website and it came out 23.7% this came out 25.4%. One more question, don't know if you know the answer or not, but how many pounds of fat is equal to 1% of body fat??

It's different depending on your weight and current body fat %. A loss of 5 lbs of fat is not going to result in the same body fat % reduction for everyone, see?

-Tim

[ralex5]

I can't believe you doctor doesn't have the equipment, that's crazy. All you need is a body fat caliper. That sucks that your gym doesn't have it either. If you really want to know what your body fat is and you don't want to spend the $20 on the caliper, not that I blame you I don't have any either, then you could always go to another gym like Lifestyles or Bally's and just go into their pro shop where they sell all the supplements and stuff and ask them to measure it for you. I haven't had a problem yet and I don't belong to either one of those gyms. I just wouldn't tell them I wasn't a member if they didn't ask. Also, the problem with the mathematical formulas like you find online such as BMI and stuff is not very accurate for someone who works out. These formulas are based on averages and as we all know the average American is way out of shape and skewing these numbers for these formulas. Plus these formulas don't account for build such as ectomorph, mesomorph, or endomorph.

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by Bajwa_99

it seems pretty accurate I checked my bf % on another website and it came out 23.7% this came out 25.4%. One more question, don't know if you know the answer or not, but how many pounds of fat is equal to 1% of body fat??

That is easy. Since you didn't say, I will suppose you weigh 230 pounds with 24.6% bodyfat (average of the two values above). 230 x .246 = 56.58, this is how much of your bodywieght is fat pounds. 230 - 56.58 = 173.42 pounds of lean body mass (LBM). Lean mass includes all your bones, organs, water weight and lean muscle.

So if you are 230 pounds, 1% of bodyfat is 2.3 pounds.

[Willie5566]

Sorry to hijack here, but I have a similar question. I actually own a caliper and I do not think I use it correctly. I am interested in trying to purchase something else. I have seen weight scales that measure body fat as well for home use. Do these work? Any other suggestions?

How does everyone else feel about the formula listed above. I know ralex does not like them, but everyone else seemed to not have an issue with them. I too want to find an accurate way of measuring BF. Thanks for the help.

[minime]

get a professional to take your bodyfat for you using your calipers, or their own.

Scales are not accurate, and i havent used that formula as i dont know my wrist and forearm circumference. However, i suspect the formula also is not accurate.

what if somebody had tiny wrists, then started weight training and reduced their body fat? their wrist would probably remain the same? I don't know, iwouldnt trust the formula.

is there somebody at your gym who will do the test for you? (obviously i mean willie, not the original poster)

[gymgirl]

Originally Posted by minime

Scales are not accurate

hey, minime. do you find your scale is not accurate? i'm still looking into buying one but will save myself $60 if it's not worth it!

[minime]

gymgirl - i think it is good to track progress so long as u use it at same time consistently.

but for the actual number i doubt it - i really dont think i am 14% body fat.

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by minime

i doubt it - i really dont think i am 14% body fat.

I think you are 14% - I've seen your pics. Again it is more about consistancy.

[gymgirl]

Originally Posted by Lady C

I think you are 14% - I've seen your pics. Again it is more about consistancy.

i agree you've got to be 14% atleast! you are leaner then me and my trainer takes my bodyfat with calipers and with the thing you hold in your hand that sends waves through your body...both of those i get 14%.

thanks for the info on the scale. i am too lazy to go shopping for one...but it is on my list of things to buy.

[Todd]

There are very few fat % calculators that are of any accuracy...most will give a "general" reading, but really when it comes down to it, it's just a number...just like your age, what the scale says, etc. The important thing is to go by how you look in the mirror...that is how you gage your true progress.

[Maxgain]

Originally Posted by Todd

The important thing is to go by how you look in the mirror...that is how you gage your true progress.

Now theres inaccuarcy for me this can change by the hour