Tag Archives: body fat percentage

body fat percentage

Body Fat Percentage v’s Weighing Scales

Many people on weight control plans rely on the bathroom scale to measure their progress. Critics of the bathroom scale note that it’s important to track your body composition, including body fat percentage, rather than just your weight.

 
Skinfold calipers have been available for years to measure body fat. A measuring device is used to “pinch” the skin and tissues at different places on the body, estimating body fat percentage. Results of this test can vary widely and depend on the quality of the calipers and the skill and experience of the person performing the test.

 
The BMI numbers are way too general to be really exact- these numbers were developed using data from enormous numbers of people. They don’t tell you anything about your own body composition, how much of your weight is fat, and how much is muscles and how much is tissue.

 
There are quite a few groups of people for whom BMI is not as accurate at all –- short women and muscular people, to name two. BMI also varies according to some ethnic groups. For people who are interested in changing their body composition and not just their weight, knowing body fat percentage is an improvement over BMI. For example, if you are exercising to build muscle (a good goal), knowing your body fat percentage is a good idea. Also, when losing weight, you want to preserve as much lean body mass as possible.

 

If you would like to know more about body fat percentage or if you would like to book in for a free consultation, give us a call now in confidence on 853 4091 or email info@theedgegym.ie for further details.