Bummed out -bodyfat calculated at 13%

[hwood]

They used one of those handheld body fat measurement devices at a healthfair today. I thought I would be around <= 10%.

45 years old
180 lbs


I have been busting my ass on rowing machine\bike 4-5 times per week for 40-50 minutes, pluse hiking 6 days week with dog for 45-1 hour ,and weight training M\W\F. I guess there goes the mid-week glass of wine\beer.

Any advice?

 

[ericraven2003]

They used one of those handheld body fat measurement devices at a healthfair today. I thought I would be around <= 10%.

45 years old
180 lbs


I have been busting my ass on rowing machine\bike 4-5 times per week for 40-50 minutes, pluse hiking 6 days week with dog for 45-1 hour ,and weight training M\W\F. I guess there goes the mid-week glass of wine\beer.

Any advice?

Not many trainers are competent to do it correctly. When I managed trainers 10 years ago, of the 15 who worked for me, only 2 did it correctly. Just FYI. Water testing is the most accurate.

 

[bigguns078]

yeah.. fix ur diet..

 

[GoneForever]

That handheld device is a piece of shit. It cant distinguish between fat and water. I used it and it said I was 24% one time, then I got a skinfold test done which said 16% and then a hydro test which came to 15.5%. Now, granted, when on aas, you hold more water than normal, and those handhelds cant tell the diff. In fact, when I worked at la fitness the trainers liked using them b/c it read higher #'s and made clients more insecure about their bodyfat so they would sign up for packages. The bodyfat scales and handheld devices are vitrually worthless.

 

[Steve123]

Dude - I have the Tanita scale that you stand on - same concept as the hand held. Before my last show it said I was 16%. Now, I know I wasn't the leanest guy up there but 16% and you would get a standing ovation!

It has me at 22% right now and I have abs so I trust it for what it is - a total piece of shit

 

[cjjrwe]

Those types of devices state that they are not very accurate on athletic type bodies.

 

[xxsuprman22xx]

advice? get a real bf test done

 

[triathloncoach]

Hand held

I have an 8 pack and mine was calculated at 19%. Right. Just use the mirror, skip the body fat stuff unless you can go to a lab.

 

[Champ!]

Get a DEXA scan. They are by far the most accurate method for calculating bf and you get sooo much more data about your body.

Each facility is different but there are some that don't require a script from your primary care physician.

 

[EasyEJL]

a bodpod or water bath is cheaper than dexa and more likely available. I got a bodpod BF% done for $45.

http://www.bodpod.com/

a lot of colleges that do medical research have either those or the water based ones.

really a good trainer using calipers who does it all the time is pretty close.

 

[kid1dakota]

Dude - I have the Tanita scale that you stand on - same concept as the hand held. Before my last show it said I was 16%. Now, I know I wasn't the leanest guy up there but 16% and you would get a standing ovation!

It has me at 22% right now and I have abs so I trust it for what it is - a total piece of shit

I have one too,lol.the first time I was 26% lol.I got it for Christmas and don't want to hurt my mothers feelings.

 

[MiteyMite]

your sweating the small stuff, those handhelds are worthless.

 

[Mr8888]

haha I'm glad I read this thread I have the tanita also it says 21% and I want to toss the thing everytime I use it. I try to use the mirror the scale is a joke.

 

[Flexican]

whats your height? go by the mirror bro

 

[Alex A]

I have never had my bf checked before... Like many have said....go by the mirror.

 

[BigCracker]

I say let the mirror be your true measure of progress.

 

[Champ!]

a bodpod or water bath is cheaper than dexa and more likely available. I got a bodpod BF% done for $45.

http://www.bodpod.com/

a lot of colleges that do medical research have either those or the water based ones.

really a good trainer using calipers who does it all the time is pretty close.

It depends on where you go I think. I pay $75 for mine. Its by far the cheapest I've found. Some scans can up upwards of $200 which is insane. If he is in or near a large city, he should be able to find a decently priced facility that would do it.

 

[Champ!]

I have never had my bf checked before... Like many have said....go by the mirror.

You are the exception to the rule.

Us fattys need a better gauge.

 

[Alex A]

You are the exception to the rule.

Us fattys need a better gauge.

Thanks and you know... not meaning to sound cocky but your right.. If you have lots of fat to lose.. its a good idea to know where your at..

If you find out your true percentage... ( most of the the time you will be higher than you think) ... this could really motivate you.

For example.. I have posted my transfomation pics.... and in my fat pic.... One day i looked at that pic.. i showed it to a buddy.. and he said.." Your probably 25% percent) ... i was like Jeez!.... man... this motivated the shit out of me.

I went on a mission to change my ways.... i was so focused and i got crazy condition..

I never had my bf measured but..... people were telling me how low i was and that motivated the shit out of me more..

Lets face it... we like attention.. And for me to get those compliments... I have to work hard at it, stay focused.

 

[Champ!]

Here you go guys. This is the data you get with a Dexa scan. Its pretty thorough in that it analyzes lean and fat tissue also the region where on your body that carries the most fat.

**broken link removed**