US Navy Body Fat Calculator

[GinnyLou]

Originally Posted by missjane

Hey Ginger, what did you think about your reading? I've been told that most people are shocked with their BF% when it's done by this method and that it's higher than they thought it would be, but that this way is the most accurate (other than the underwater method).

That pretty much sums it up, LOL! Honestly, I was mortified at my number and there was no disputing it. I used it as motivation, though and then my trainer suggested going every 3 months for updates. He said that was good amount of time to see changes and it was often enough to use as a motivational tool. So far, it's working.

[orangechic]

My number was insanely low! Its been about a year since I had it measure by calibers and at that time I was around 17%, the Navy one had me at 9.4%- is that even possible?

[Valancy]

Can I sneak in here and ask a really dumb question?

According to the Home Body Fat test, I have 29% body fat. And according to the about.com site, that puts me in a healthy range.

Now, if we look at my BMI, I'm sitting right on the borderline of obese and overweight.

I know neither is a 100% certain method...and I'm guessing that on this site BMI is really not measurement taken seriously...but I'm surprised I guess at how different my two results are.

Question...is BMI a measurement worth considering, or no?

[MuscleMom23]

Well if you did a BMI on some bodybuilders, they would be morbidly obese.

[rixatrix]

Originally Posted by Valancy

Question...is BMI a measurement worth considering, or no?

BMI is an estimate of body fat percentage based on population averages. So if you know your own approximate body fat level, you don't need to rely on BMI. It's criticized for this very reason - BMI isn't an accurate indicator of body composition for anyone who falls outside the average - i.e., someone who's very large and muscular, like a ripped male bodybuilder, or someone who's thin but incredibly unfit and carrying a lot of fat.

[Bytsi]

is BMI a measurement worth considering, or no?

BMI is simply a ratio of height to weight. Body composition isn't taken into account at all. So for the average American (ugh!!!), it's an easy guideline to look at. But as Kelly pointed out, people with lots of muscle often fall into the obese cateogory if you base it only on BMI. My BMI says I'm pretty dang fat - and while I'm not "thin" and have some fat to lose, it's not as bad as my BMI would say.

[DirtyMartini]

Hm, I'd been avoiding this thread because I didn't want to know what it said about me (what I don't know can't hurt me right?)... that about.com calculator puts me at 36.9% body fat...

The spreadsheet we use at home (which we got from some bodybuilding site I think - I can't remember) has me at 26% body fat... which, for someone who's 145lbs and 5'6", and who lifts weights and has visible muscle, sounds about right.

I'm not really sure I'm ready to believe I'm nearly 37% bodyfat...

[Karen P]

I measured my body fat using this method. It was a lot less than I thougt it would be, but I'm not sure I'm getting an accurate count.

[Morondava]

Do any of you have a scale that does body fat measurements? How do you like it? Is it expensive to get one? I know that they're inaccurate, but I'd just like a ballpark figure and something that will let me chart progress better. The scales weird and I didn't have success with the calipers.

[RedWifey]

Hi Morondava...I have merged your thread with a recent discussion of body fat measurement methods. Hope this helps!

[Morondava]

Thanks, I actually think that this is the thread that got me thinking about buying a scale....

So I just came back from my local bed bath and beyond, where I tried out several tanita scales. I found them confusing and expensive. Lot's of programming necessary. Also, I'm on the broke side right now, so I'm not enthusiastic about shelling out 100 bucks for a new scale. At the same time, I'd like to get something relatively reliable. And by reliable, I mean I'd like th machine to tell me I'm dropping body fat if I'm dropping it. I realize the number won't be 100% accurate, but it would be nice if it were in a decent range.

Any recommendations?

[missjane]

None of the bio-impedence methods are accurate at all. Calipers are probably more accurate, but that depends on the skill and accuracy of the person taking the measurement. The Bod Pod or underwater is supposed to be the most accurate.

[RedWifey]

Or you can just use the mirror and your clothes/belt to measure and manage.

[missjane]

Originally Posted by RedWifey

Or you can just use the mirror and your clothes/belt to measure and manage.

That's what I do! I'm going to do the bod pod, but until then, I don't trust anything else.

[allenkt]

Originally Posted by maggieandmommy

How did you guys find out where to find the Bod Pod? I'd like to give that a try!

Here is a link to help you find one in your area (hopefully, I just filled out the info so we'll see....)

Life Measurement, Inc. BOD POD

[Valancy]

Or you can just use the mirror and your clothes/belt to measure and manage.

I'm trying to follow this excellent advice, but you know...after years of being a slave the scale....it's really tough to get over it.

But I'm trying!

[elisabethd]

I bought one of those little Omron things, it only cost about $25 on Amazon. When I got my body comp done by a nutritionist, it was very close to the official reading she gave me. Just a little high. It's a useful tool for trends, and it's also a fun toy to play with. If I only had the scale, I would be suicidal by now since I weigh 1/2 pound more than when I started. However, since I have my little mOron, I know that my bodyfat is dropping at a delightful pace. My waist measurement confirms it, and so does the mirror.
According to my BMI, I am overweight. According to my BF levels, I am in pretty dang good condition for a 45 year old woman. Since I started seriously lifting weights 18 months ago, I have gone from 45% bodyfat to about 28% today. However, my weight has only changed by 20 lbs. I weigh a whopping 164 lbs, for 5'4" that's a heck of a lot! Thank goodness for body fat calculations. Screw BMI calculations!

[Bytsi]

Originally Posted by elisabethd

According to my BMI, I am overweight. According to my BF levels, I am in pretty dang good condition for a 45 year old woman. Since I started seriously lifting weights 18 months ago, I have gone from 45% bodyfat to about 28% today. However, my weight has only changed by 20 lbs. I weigh a whopping 164 lbs, for 5'4" that's a heck of a lot! Thank goodness for body fat calculations. Screw BMI calculations!

That's great - and a big DITTO for what you said! I'm overweight by BMI, and while I am not thin, at 25-26% bodyfat, I'm not in awful shape for a 40-year-old mom. Most people would guess I weigh a lot less than the scale says I do... (but I still want that number to get lower )