BF% and Muscle Imbalances

[DrWahoo]

I had bf test and I found out that while my pecs had 10% my upper and lower back had average of 35%. I read on bodybuilding.com that if you have an imbalance between back and chest you should cut out pressing moves for 8 weeks. Should I do this or maybe lift heavier for my back and lift lighter w/ higher reps for my chest ?

I also have the same imbalance with my bis and tris. My bis have 9% while my tris have %17. Heavier for tris and lighter for bis ?

[ebon00]

I'm pretty sure that the imbalance that bodybuilding.com talked about was strength imbalance, not bodyfat imbalance. You will lose bodyfat at a very distinct rate, in a pattern. For some this means that there will be a very annoying little roll of fat on the stomach long after the legs are ripped. Just lift, eat well, do your carido, and drink a lot of water. Now, if you get a strength imbalance, then we can talk.

[Lady C]

I agree with you Ebon.

How do you know that the pecs are 10% and the back is 35%? What kind of device tells you specific areas of BF. Bodyfat is just that, an ESTIMATE of overall fat on the WHOLE body.

I would continue to lift heavy. The slacking muscles will catch up eventually.

[DrWahoo]

Well a trainer did a 9 skin fold test and had to add up the different skin fold bf%.
I guess I should max out on my bodyparts to see if their is a strength imbalance. Just to be sure a row would be the opposite of bench press, and a press down would be the opposite of a curl.

[Lady C]

Skin fold is measuring (in mm) the thickness of the fat layer. This is added up to give an OVERALL bodyfat estimate. I don't see how they can estimate specific areas from that. Here is an example of a 7 point test Keep in mind these are estimates and can be off by ± 2%.

Keep working hard - it will pay off.

PS: those are opposite movements

[DrWahoo]

Okay maybe I misunderstood then. The numbers given were probably mm not %. Thanks alot Lady C.