Best way to measure body fat %?

[Keenbean]

What is the best way to measure my body fat? Thanks

[hulldatzet]

buy some body fat % at a sports/fitness store.

[holvoetn]

Calipers are the best way.

Other methods: tape measure, electronic thingy, scales with bf%, ...

[strong4rugby]

I wouldn't recommend the scales that supposedly give you bodyfat %. I've done my own bodyfat with calipers and have had it "professionally" measured at my gym (I'm within 1% of the pro so I do it myself now)....anyway, the scale we have tells me I'm between 25-27% bodyfat, but calipers tell a different story -- currently around 12.5%.

I suggest buying some calipers and then having someone show you how to take proper readings. Of course, my favorite method for tracking my bodyfat is the "mirror test". I don't really care what the calipers say (even though I do use them) -- if I'm not seeing the fatloss in the mirror then who cares? Just my opinion

[NotNowChief]

A decent electronic scale (may cost a few hundred dollars) is as good as calipers, which need expertise to use in the first place and then apply the right formula to figure BF% out.

I use a Tanita scale and I find it's results accurate, consistent and reflect what I see in the mirror. If I spend a few days boozing and eating junk I see the % go up, and vice versa. I don't know if its the best way but I know it works.

[shaun680]

I wouldn't recommend the scales that supposedly give you bodyfat %. I've done my own bodyfat with calipers and have had it "professionally" measured at my gym (I'm within 1% of the pro so I do it myself now)....anyway, the scale we have tells me I'm between 25-27% bodyfat, but calipers tell a different story -- currently around 12.5%.

Yeah I used the electronic one at the gym last year and it told me I had about 40% bodyfat. Nearly had a heart attack.

[ekoehler0311]

I prefer the circumferential method used by the Dept of Defense. Its posted below. For men it only requires 3 measure to use the formula. I'm sure this doesn't stack up to the accuracy of caliper methods (whose precision depends on getting the skin folds in the same place from week to week), but this can be a very precise tool to monitor change. Heck, for most people its pretty darn close to accurate as well.

There is a lot of jargon below, but it really is quite simple to use or our beloved govt would use it

The following formula is the DoD body fat equation mentioned in Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1308.3, "DoD Physical Fitness and Body Fat (BF) Programs Procedures"., dated 5 November 2002. Just insert the Soldiers' circumference and height (in inches).

WOMEN:

The equation for women is:

% body fat = [163.205 x log10 (waist + hip - neck)] - [97.684 x log10 (height)] - 78.387

CIRCUMFERENCE AND HEIGHT MEASUREMENTS MUST BE IN INCHES

Solve the equation using actual measurements: SAMPLE

Neck = 15.0"; waist = 42"; hip = 44"; height = 64"

% body fat = [163.205 x log10 (42 +44 - 15)] - 97.684 x log10 (64)] - 78.387

A. Solve [163.205 x (log10 (71))]. Take the Log10 (71) = 1.85 (when using a calculator be careful not to use LN (natural log), rather us the LOG key so you would enter 71 and press LOG)

B. Solve [97.684 x (Log10 (64))]. Take the Log10 (64) = 1.81 (when using a calculator be careful not to use LN (natural log), rather us the LOG key so you would enter 64 and press LOG)

C. Solve the equation:

% body fat = [163.205 x 1.85] - 97.684 x 1.81] - 78.387

= [301.93] - [176.81] - 78.387

= 47% (actual number is 46.73% however, round to the nearest whole % body fat)



MEN:

The equation for men is:

% body fat = [86.010 x Log10 (abdomen - neck)] - [ 70.041 x Log10 (height)] + 36.76

CIRCUMFERENCE AND HEIGHT MEASUREMENTS MUST BE IN INCHES

Solve the equation using actual measurements: SAMPLE

Neck = 16"; Waist = 49"; Height = 69"

% body fat = [86.010 x Log10 (49 - 16)] - [ 70.041 x Log10 (69)] + 36.76

A. Solve [86.010 x (Log10 (33))]. Take the Log10 (33) = 1.52 (when using a calculator be careful not to use LN (natural log), rather us the LOG key so you would enter 33 and press LOG)

B. Solve [70.041 x (Log10 (69))]. Take the Log10 (69) = 1.84 (when using a calculator be careful not to use LN (natural log), rather us the LOG key so you would enter 69 and press LOG)

C. Solve the equation:

% body fat = [86.010 x Log10 (49 - 16)] - [ 70.041 x Log10 (69)] + 36.76

= [130.74] - [128.88] + 36.76

= 39% (actual number is 38.62% however, round to the nearest whole % body fat)