How do you measure your body fat%???

babyblue · 17-Mar-04, 04:09 PM

Hi!! How do you people measure your body fat%?? I have Tanita's Ultimate body fat monitor(?) & it read I got only 13% body fat... is that possible?? How accurate are these body fat scales sold @ retail stores..?
The thing is, I've been on very moderate diet for the last 4-5months & lost 7lbs. so I expected my body fat to be a bit of lower side.. but didn't expect it to be so low.. besides I still have flabby thighs & hips .. so I still want to lose inches on my legs but if this reading is true, I'd better stop dieting before I start missing my period .. anyone, can you please tell me how accurate these scales are?? also, if you use another way to measure your body fat%, please let me know. Thanks so much!!

JGRIFF · 17-Mar-04, 04:13 PM

those scales arent very accurate, its possible to be 13% body fat, and if you've only been able to lose 7 pounds in 4-5 months I'm guessing you are fairly lean to begin with. what are you stats?

babyblue · 17-Mar-04, 04:32 PM

I'm 5'3, weigh 103lbs. (was 110lbs) Mainly I wanted to build more muscle
since I had very ''flabby'' look.. so I did one of those strength exercise videos
2-3times a week but never went to gym or anything .. could it be a just error on the scale??

jogym · 17-Mar-04, 04:43 PM

I would get another measurement done by say calipers and see what that reads. I was measured once by scales and then by calipers and there was a difference of about 5%.

atherjen · 17-Mar-04, 07:54 PM

those scales are VERY off!!! I stepped on one recently and it said I was 21%, which I am wayyyyyy less than that!
it all depends on hydration levels in your body, etc.
those tanitas are junk.
Id highly reccomend getting tested via calipers by an experienced person for a more accurate reading.

babyblue · 18-Mar-04, 12:56 PM

Thank you people for the info!!
Caliper sounds like just what I need!! (I shouldn't be able to pinch sooo much of fat on my thighs if I'm really at 13% body fat)
Since I don't have a membership at the gym, I'll try the caliper at home & see how it works.. (I went ahead & ordered the caliper thru web)

**cursor** · 18-Mar-04, 01:00 PM

Have you seen this thread?
http://www.discussfitness.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19553