Mass-to-arm-size ratio, and measurements

[Ryan_carpediem]

Is it true that generally, to gain 1 inch on my arm size, I need to gain 5kg of mass?

When measuring the waist, do you do so at the widest part or just at the navel?
How about the thigh and chest and calf?
My arms are L34 R34.5cm
thighs 57cm
chest 94cm
waist 87cm
Calf 39cm
Am i considered skinny fat?

thanks

[bluestreak]

I don't know about the arm size but I use this site as a guide for measuring myself. IMO, the key thing is that you do is consistently each week so that you can track your relative changes over time.

Regarding your question about being skinny-fat, no idea as you didn't include your height. Not it would help much anyway. Get yourself a fat caliper. Mehdi has a link on Amazon, on the front page. Use that to figure out what your body fat percentage is and track that along with your weight and body measurements over time.

BTW, I only bother with neck, bicep, thigh, stomach and chest.

[stresscheese]

correct me if i'm wrong, but i beleive you measure your waist at the smallest point, which is usually pretty close to the navel.

[Ryan_carpediem]

I don't know about the arm size but I use this site as a guide for measuring myself. IMO, the key thing is that you do is consistently each week so that you can track your relative changes over time.

Regarding your question about being skinny-fat, no idea as you didn't include your height. Not it would help much anyway. Get yourself a fat caliper. Mehdi has a link on Amazon, on the front page. Use that to figure out what your body fat percentage is and track that along with your weight and body measurements over time.

BTW, I only bother with neck, bicep, thigh, stomach and chest.

LOL you're right it slipped my mind. I'm 1.75m, ~77kg

I'm thinking of getting a fat caliper but i heard tt's not much useful either as there's quite a wide margin of human error.

[fun meter]

So many variables.... genetics, diet, experience, training routine...

And, why are people bothered about arms (and chest). Why people think big biceps and chest without enough focus / talk on back/shoulders/legs is good, I do not know.

Eat, train, rest and adjust accordingly.

[rere]

So many variables.... genetics, diet, experience, training routine...

And, why are people bothered about arms (and chest). Why people think big biceps and chest without enough focus / talk on back/shoulders/legs is good, I do not know.

Eat, train, rest and adjust accordingly.

I agree its amazing how people train just to get a big chest and biceps, toatlly negating the legs, I used to be one of those people train that upper body like a bitch, no one could tell me nothing, until i went searching for something different, I got bored basically and I am glad I found something I could get my teeth into. Long live mehdi and thanks for stronglifts 5x5. Train those legs man, train train train, even my martial arts teacher told me the power possessed in the human body derives from the legs, the posterior chain.

[bluestreak]

LOL you're right it slipped my mind. I'm 1.75m, ~77kg

I'm thinking of getting a fat caliper but i heard tt's not much useful either as there's quite a wide margin of human error.

The accumeasure one is pretty good. It's reasonably accurate, easy to use - only requires one measurement - and cheap.

It's not absolutely accurate but that not the point. Relative changes are more important. For example: Last week I was 98.6 kg and 12.7% bf. Week prior I was 97.1 and 10.6%. The stats indicate I put on fat, which is true - I feel it. But I also know I'm stronger because I've been able to break through a plateau on my weights.

I keep stats on my body measurements, body weight & body fat, weights lifted over time and photos. It's fun being able to look back and how I've changed but, in the end, the only stats that really matter is how much I can lift. Increases in mass are a welcome side effect of my training.

As fun meter wrote, just eat, train and rest and your body will change. No need to get hung up if your "skinny fat" now because you might be completely different in a few months.

[hazmat]

LOL you're right it slipped my mind. I'm 1.75m, ~77kg

I'm thinking of getting a fat caliper but i heard tt's not much useful either as there's quite a wide margin of human error.

The accumeasure one is pretty good. It's reasonably accurate, easy to use - only requires one measurement - and cheap.

It's not absolutely accurate but that not the point. Relative changes are more important. For example: Last week I was 98.6 kg and 12.7% bf. Week prior I was 97.1 and 10.6%. The stats indicate I put on fat, which is true - I feel it. But I also know I'm stronger because I've been able to break through a plateau on my weights.

I keep stats on my body measurements, body weight & body fat, weights lifted over time and photos. It's fun being able to look back and how I've changed but, in the end, the only stats that really matter is how much I can lift. Increases in mass are a welcome side effect of my training.

As fun meter wrote, just eat, train and rest and your body will change. No need to get hung up if your "skinny fat" now because you might be completely different in a few months.

I kind of wish I'd done this. I can still recall what I was looking like before I got back into the gym and the day before I started SL5x5. I was "big" to an extent, but it was different. Then there's the difference between the day before I started SL5x5 and today. It's a HUGE difference. The definition is different, the size of shoulders/chest/legs/back are different. It's just...weird. I ran into a buddy over the weekend I hadn't seen in a while. First thing out of his mouth was "what the fuck happened to your fat ass??". Love that shit

[bluestreak]

First thing out of his mouth was "what the fuck happened to your fat ass??". Love that shit

I love it! That's great stuff.

I find the next best thing is keep track of what clothes do/don't fit you. A lot of my t-shirts, which often felt big and baggy, are now getting snug. Same thing with pants. I bet my suit doesn't fit me anymore. I consider that a "good problem"

[hazmat]

First thing out of his mouth was "what the fuck happened to your fat ass??". Love that shit

I love it! That's great stuff.

I find the next best thing is keep track of what clothes do/don't fit you. A lot of my t-shirts, which often felt big and baggy, are now getting snug. Same thing with pants. I bet my suit doesn't fit me anymore. I consider that a "good problem"

Ha..that's funny. My t-shirts went both ways. I have t's that I wear under my button-downs, and those I just wear. The under-shirts are a size smaller because I hate the bulk under a button-down. These are now snug in the right place. The other ones, they're all huge...lol..everywhere. I work out in them now, mostly.