Body fat........

[marilyn]

I don't really check my body fat, but before I started training I was curious and did check it once.

It was between 22-23%, which the chart stated good for women..

Last week I checked it, just to see what it would be now 6 months later with diet and consistent training....regular training, I dont really kill myself at the gym.

I was surprised, and amazed that it was 14.6%!!!

My weight didnt drastically change, which again totally shocked me.

Curious....Do you all check this regulary? and what was the biggest loss/adjustment?

 

[kid1dakota]

I do have calipers and check every couple months.Just reinforces the mirror to confirm I'm heading in the right direction.I hardly ever step on a scale anymore lol.Just sometimes walking out of the grocery store as there is a big one in the entrance.

 

[Galloping Gazelle]

I don't really check my body fat, but before I started training I was curious and did check it once.

It was between 22-23%, which the chart stated good for women..

Last week I checked it, just to see what it would be now 6 months later with diet and consistent training....regular training, I dont really kill myself at the gym.

I was surprised, and amazed that it was 14.6%!!!

My weight didnt drastically change, which again totally shocked me.

Curious....Do you all check this regulary? and what was the biggest loss/adjustment?

I check it regularly, since I work in a gym and have access to calipers. I like stying around 17-18 in the off season (so I can eat a little more fun stuff!)
The changes were most likely due to an increase in your muscle mass, even though you didn't drop much weight you probably lost a few dress sizes : )
When are you competing again? Best of luck in the future!
P-

 

[marilyn]

kid1dakota

I do have calipers and check every couple months.Just reinforces the mirror to confirm I'm heading in the right direction.I hardly ever step on a scale anymore lol.Just sometimes walking out of the grocery store as there is a big one in the entrance.

I weigh myself about once a week....Aeliop has to do that each time he goes to Publix...he cannot go in with out stepping on that thing,lol.

 

[marilyn]

hey Galloping Gazelle

I check it regularly, since I work in a gym and have access to calipers. I like stying around 17-18 in the off season (so I can eat a little more fun stuff!)
The changes were most likely due to an increase in your muscle mass, even though you didn't drop much weight you probably lost a few dress sizes : )
When are you competing again? Best of luck in the future!
P-

that's a good range off season..I will stay close to that....

yes, I lost dress size and all my suits/work pants hang off, lol.

I will do the Mid-Florida in two weeks....is a local show here that I have attended many times, so it should alot of fun with many familiar faces..thanks!

 

[doug1]

i step on a scale about once a month and havent done bf test in over a year.

 

[mo chuisle]

Although I know that numbers don't count when I'm standing on stage, I like to know what my body comp and weight are all the time (except sometimes in the off-season, when I really DON'T want to know! LOL). Knowing what the numbers are when I look a certain way is interesting to me, so I track them. When I'm in contest prep, I get my bf done bout every 5-6 weeks, and I weigh myself every day. The same person does my bf with calipers and I use the same scale at the gym so even if the numbers aren't exactly accurate, at least I've got a consistent baseline to work with.

I don't let the numbers affect my training, though; I use the mirror for that, because that's what the judges will see. They don't care about bf or weight; they just care about how we look on stage.

 

[Stewie Griffon]

I don't really check my body fat, but before I started training I was curious and did check it once.

It was between 22-23%, which the chart stated good for women..

Last week I checked it, just to see what it would be now 6 months later with diet and consistent training....regular training, I dont really kill myself at the gym.

I was surprised, and amazed that it was 14.6%!!!

My weight didnt drastically change, which again totally shocked me.

Curious....Do you all check this regulary? and what was the biggest loss/adjustment?

wow 14.6 thats impressive. i am around 12% and i am a guy!

i dont regularly get mined checked, as i dont have a lot of faith in the accuracy of skin-fold calipers. i know there are other methods, but its not important enough for me to do the hydro-static thing. the calipers give me a good idea, plus what i look like in the mirror is always a good way to see if my efforts are working

 

[gtj220]

The gym in which I work has a skin fold caliper program so the caliper measurements go right in the computer. We do a 7 point test we put me at 6.8%. But I really question the accuracy of skin fold test because, for example, the test doesn't pinch on the butt which is where I carry a lot of body fat and I am much leaner in some places that were tested. I was guessing I was really closer to 10% so it just depends on where your fat is and where you pinch.

 

[marilyn]

The gym in which I work has a skin fold caliper program so the caliper measurements go right in the computer. We do a 7 point test we put me at 6.8%. But I really question the accuracy of skin fold test because, for example, the test doesn't pinch on the butt which is where I carry a lot of body fat and I am much leaner in some places that were tested. I was guessing I was really closer to 10% so it just depends on where your fat is and where you pinch.

what do you think about the machines at Gyms? like Lifestyles for example
not the fat pinching contraptions...the big equipment that you sit, and put your arm through it, then you stand on the metal plates for weight...

 

[BigMatt]

Bodyfat is the most important thing to Look and regulary check to be sure to be in a optimal range.

It has a great impact on Health, hormonal system, insulin sensitivity.

IT IS the most important part of being in Health.


Any mens who is over 10% should make their primary goal to get down below or 10%.

Never get above 10% bodyfat.

A Regulary each 3 months 9 Point Caliper Test is a sure way to determine your body fat level.

 

[EasyEJL]

what do you think about the machines at Gyms? like Lifestyles for example
not the fat pinching contraptions...the big equipment that you sit, and put your arm through it, then you stand on the metal plates for weight...

no, those are horribly inaccurate as they largely base it on electrical impedance. The only worthwhile ones are the bodpod, water bath or DEXA machines, and those are generally expensive to get done - $30-100 depending on the place. Colleges have em sometimes.

I will do the Mid-Florida in two weeks....is a local show here that I have attended many times, so it should alot of fun with many familiar faces..thanks!

Where is that show at? I'm in Tampa, would be fun to go

 

[Lenny]

Bodyfat is the most important thing to Look and regulary check to be sure to be in a optimal range.

It has a great impact on Health, hormonal system, insulin sensitivity.

IT IS the most important part of being in Health.


Any mens who is over 10% should make their primary goal to get down below or 10%.

Never get above 10% bodyfat.

A Regulary each 3 months 9 Point Caliper Test is a sure way to determine your body fat level.

I think it is a great tool to measure progression and body composition. Not the only tool, but the best suited for fit people. Being under 10% is expected by people like us (males), but the average being under 20% is accomplishment. We are not normal when it comes to being fit, we expect the under 10% as a male and under the 20% for females, but I would not say that 10-17% for males is bad when compared to the norm. But, again I am not making excuses just knowing that many out there work hard to get under 15%, we just take it another level and know how to get there quicker!

Again, not disagreeing with you because I am a big believer in maintaining a lean bodyfat and using the mirror as tools, but being healthy is not all about that number either, the insides can give us a whole different reading.

 

[EasyEJL]

but I would not say that 10-17% for males is bad when compared to the norm. But, again I am not making excuses just knowing that many out there work hard to get under 15%, we just take it another level and know how to get there quicker!

I'm 41 and hovering around 15% living in florida, and it usually depresses me when I go to the beach or pool as although I feel like a huge fat blob i'm still leaner than more than half the 18 year olds including women.

 

[cslim]

To be honest, I never check it!
I just look at the mirror and the scale and try to do that as little as possible (the scale).

it screws with my head more than anything!

best of luck to you in the next competition!

 

[JETHRO TULL]

Yeah, bodyweight doesn't mean much.

I think people get a false sense of security from bodyfat measurement. I have personally seen guys with a little fat roll around their waist tell me they are 8% bodyfat. "Josie just measured me and I am 8%." I think "Duh, you are obviously NOT 8% bodyfat and wouldn't know it if it bit you in the ass."

The machines: I've seen high school wrestlers get on those. I knew this kid name Jonas who was always ripped...veins in the abs ....everything. He got on one of those scales and it said he was 11% [When he was obviously leaner than that.] Then another one of my students who is obviously fatter and softer without any vascularity got on the same scale and it said he was 6%. The kid was beaming cause he was "leaner" than Jonas.

The wrestling coach was right there and had personally ordered the scales, so I didn't say anything and waited to see what his comments would be.....

He had no clue and looked like an imbecile in my eyes. I later explained to Jonas how inaccurate those machines are....

The mirror and honesty will tell you the truth every time.

 

[Armageddon]

I think people get a false sense of security from bodyfat measurement. I have personally seen guys with a little fat roll around their waist tell me they are 8% bodyfat. "Josie just measured me and I am 8%." I think "Duh, you are obviously NOT 8% bodyfat and wouldn't know it if it bit you in the ass."

The machines: I've seen high school wrestlers get on those. I knew this kid name Jonas who was always ripped...veins in the abs ....everything. He got on one of those scales and it said he was 11% [When he was obviously leaner than that.] Then another one of my students who is obviously fatter and softer without any vascularity got on the same scale and it said he was 6%. The kid was beaming cause he was "leaner" than Jonas.

The wrestling coach was right there and had personally ordered the scales, so I didn't say anything and waited to see what his comments would be.....

He had no clue and looked like an imbecile in my eyes. I later explained to Jonas how inaccurate those machines are....

The mirror and honesty will tell you the truth every time.

Solid words. A good way to judge it that I've learned for myself. Under 10% you should see your abs fairly well, over that and ya look like me now.

 

[skulbone]

Mirror and camera. Also post pics if your not sure. Ppl are harsh judges though.