Sink or Float?

[Sophie]

"Body Fat Facts

1. Men and women have different fat levels (by 4 to 5%) because of the effects of the sex hormones. Both men and women have the capacity to float when the percentage of body fat exceeds 15%. The higher your body fat, the easier it is to float. (More than 90% of the nation are floaters.) Persons under 14% body fat are sinkers -- unless they are in extremely dense water such as the Great Salt Lake. Well-trained athletes are usually sinkers.

2. When women are less than 10% body fat, hormone production slows down and consequently the menstrual process becomes erratic or stops.

3. You cannot tell a person's fat percentage by appearance. Body fat needs to be measured. Looks are deceiving. It's even possible to be "normal weight" and look good, but be overfat. Very inactive people usually fall into this category. On the other hand, physically fit individuals can be overweight (by typical "chart" standards) and actually be underfat (lean). A pound of muscle "weighs" the same as a pound of fat, but the muscle is much denser and takes up 50% less space."

Learn more about fat control

So, do you sink or float?

[Lady C]

I have always been lean and a sinker.

BTW: I grew up in SLC. You can still sink in the Great Salt Lake. It stinks (no flow, no outlet) and tastes nasty.

[Sophie]

Originally Posted by Lady C

I have always been lean and a sinker.

BTW: I grew up in SLC. You can still sink in the Great Salt Lake. It stinks (no flow, no outlet) and tastes nasty.

Ew. Nothing worse than bad tasting water, espeically when you normally end up on the bottom of the pool anyway. I can't really smell all that well so the stink might not bother me, might not.

[minime]

hmm i dont know - last time i was in a pool i lie flat on my back and i floated..

seems like a much cheaper way than getting bodyfat tested - but how accurate is it? I mean, if I get in the pool and i sink, does that mean my body fat has dipped below 14% or does it vary from person to person?

[Sophie]

Originally Posted by minime

hmm i dont know - last time i was in a pool i lie flat on my back and i floated..

seems like a much cheaper way than getting bodyfat tested - but how accurate is it? I mean, if I get in the pool and i sink, does that mean my body fat has dipped below 14% or does it vary from person to person?

From what I've read, it's a scientific fact. I don't think it varies. I"ll do some more looking and see what i can find.

[F_Mac]

I sink like a stone..........always have.

Even when I was younger, before I even picked up a weight I always sank right to the bottom of the pool.

[Sophie]

Originally Posted by F-Mac

I sink like a stone..........always have.

Even when I was younger, before I even picked up a weight I always sank right to the bottom of the pool.

Did you ever freak people out by sitting at the bottom? I always enjoyed that.

[gcs118]

I'm sure in the pool if you take a deep breath you will also float. Perhaps this test is functional without variables like that?

[CF-OC_gal]

Although a lightweight, my natural flotation devices always keep me from sinking. Air in the lungs is a problem for accuracy in measuring bodyfat by submersion.

[F_Mac]

Originally Posted by gcs118

I'm sure in the pool if you take a deep breath you will also float. Perhaps this test is functional without variables like that?

Nope, i've tried this as well................although I do sink a little slower with my lungs full of air.

[gcs118]

Originally Posted by F-Mac

Nope, i've tried this as well................although I do sink a little slower with my lungs full of air.

lol good thing swimming and weight lifting are completely separate things.

[Sophie]

Originally Posted by gcs118

I'm sure in the pool if you take a deep breath you will also float. Perhaps this test is functional without variables like that?

The site said if you have less than 15% BF you can't get enough air in the lungs to float. It's very interesting. I wish I could find more references to it.

[gcs118]

Interesting...I'll probably be going to an indoor pool in the next couple weeks, I'll have to try this out.