body fat test

[trainer]

where can u get it done? i think the calipers stink, i want a dunk tank, or the eggpod its called, i live in south florida.

[Hypertrophy]

You might want to try a local university, maybe a physiology department. I had mine done a while back at Syracuse University. I was pretty disappointed with the results at the time. You could see veins in my legs and arms, and definitely had a six pack.

They said I was 12% bodyfat and I was shocked. I figured I was under 5% I made them redo it and the results were the same. I really would like to see a 6-8% bodyfat level in real life. The skin must look like plastic wrap.

[abc123]

You might want to try a local university, maybe a physiology department. I had mine done a while back at Syracuse University. I was pretty disappointed with the results at the time. You could see veins in my legs and arms, and definitely had a six pack.

They said I was 12% bodyfat and I was shocked. I figured I was under 5% I made them redo it and the results were the same. I really would like to see a 6-8% bodyfat level in real life. The skin must look like plastic wrap.

I had the same experience recently in South Florida at Florida Atlantic University, in Davie.  I'm very lean, with veins in my abs, quads, etc.  The hydrostatic weighing method said that I was 21% and then 20% bf.  I'm definitely below 10 %, probably closer to 5% than 10%.

You can get bad readings if you have a hard time getting all of the air out of your lungs before they dunk you.  I know of pros that tested above 20% and below 0% using underwater weighing.  It's not as accurate as it's made out to be.

[Hypertrophy]

I had the same experience recently in South Florida at Florida Atlantic University, in Davie.  I'm very lean, with veins in my abs, quads, etc.  The hydrostatic weighing method said that I was 21% and then 20% bf.  I'm definitely below 10 %, probably closer to 5% than 10%.

You can get bad readings if you have a hard time getting all of the air out of your lungs before they dunk you.  I know of pros that tested above 20% and below 0% using underwater weighing.  It's not as accurate as it's made out to be.

That's a relief, lol. I remember the technician telling me to breathe out as much as humanly possible, but man that is harder than you think when you are about to be submerged! The natural tendency is to do the opposite when going under.

I guess the visual test is probably the best way to go. If you look fat, you are fat .

[El Diablo Blanco]

You should let go of numbers.  10%, 20%, who really cares.  What does the mirror tell you?  People get way to caught up with the scale and such.

[JasonH]

You might want to try a local university, maybe a physiology department. I had mine done a while back at Syracuse University. I was pretty disappointed with the results at the time. You could see veins in my legs and arms, and definitely had a six pack.

They said I was 12% bodyfat and I was shocked. I figured I was under 5% I made them redo it and the results were the same. I really would like to see a 6-8% bodyfat level in real life. The skin must look like plastic wrap.

A mate of mine had that done and he came out as 15% and he's one of the most vascular people I know - six pack and all - he probably held his breath in the tank!

[MCWAY]

where can u get it done? i think the calipers stink, i want a dunk tank, or the eggpod its called, i live in south florida.

You can use the measuring tape (circumference) method that the military uses to get a good estimate of your bodyfat. It's cheap and simple. From what I've read, it compared favorably with (and the calculation is based on) results done with the hydrostatic testing method.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/a/bodyfat.htm

Here's the chart (for men 5'5" - 5'9^1/2" tall):

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/blbodyfatmale2.htm

Here's another for men 5'10" - 6'3" tall.

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/blbodyfatmale3.htm

[JasonH]

You can use the measuring tape (circumference) method that the military uses to get a good estimate of your bodyfat. It's cheap and simple. From what I've read, it compared favorably with (and the calculation is based on) results done with the hydrostatic testing method.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/a/bodyfat.htm

Here's the chart (for men 5'5" - 5'9^1/2" tall):

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/blbodyfatmale2.htm

Here's another for men 5'10" - 6'3" tall.

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/blbodyfatmale3.htm

That's a good test - I just tried it on myself and I'm 17% bodyfat which is roughly what I estimated I was a few weeks back.