Body-Fat Ratio Measurements

[murphyslabrat]

I just signed up with Gold's Gym, and in the "fitness profiling" session, the lady used a hand-held device to measure the ratio of body-fat. Now, I know that I'm carrying some extra, but it said that I had just over 20% body-fat. I was pretty dismayed at that, as I figured I was just on the outside of being in excellent condition. So, right now I'm asking for your help in facilitating denial:

How accurate are those things?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I just signed up with Gold's Gym, and in the "fitness profiling" session, the lady used a hand-held device to measure the ratio of body-fat. Now, I know that I'm carrying some extra, but it said that I had just over 20% body-fat. I was pretty dismayed at that, as I figured I was just on the outside of being in excellent condition. So, right now I'm asking for your help in facilitating denial:

How accurate are those things?

In the hands of the right person, calipers are pretty accurate. However, if the person isn't well-trained, then the results are gonna be crap. For women, 20% body fat is pretty normal. For men, it's a bit on the higher side. How much do you weigh and how tall are you? Have you been training lately? It's pretty easy to get your body fat % up there if you've been inactive. Also, what exactly made you think that you were "on the outside of being in excellent condition?"

 

[murphyslabrat]

In the hands of the right person, calipers are pretty accurate.

Not calipers, it looked like a video-game controller. She put in my weight, height, then I had to hold it by the handles, she pressed a button, and I waited for a couple seconds.

How much do you weigh and how tall are you? Have you been training lately? It's pretty easy to get your body fat % up there if you've been inactive.

I'm ~215 at 5'9". Short answer to the second question is "yes, I have been training", and I can give the long answer if it helps.

Also, what exactly made you think that you were "on the outside of being in excellent condition?"

Well, I can run five miles at about 5 or 6 mph, and I just did a 6 minute mile for the first time in my life. Also, I did a lot of bicycle riding, even competing in a local league for two years.

All that's kinda why I was surprised and appalled that this machine dared accuse me of such a crime.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Not calipers, it looked like a video-game controller. She put in my weight, height, then I had to hold it by the handles, she pressed a button, and I waited for a couple seconds.

I'm ~215 at 5'9". Short answer to the second question is "yes, I have been training", and I can give the long answer if it helps.
Well, I can run five miles at about 5 or 6 mph, and I just did a 6 minute mile for the first time in my life. Also, I did a lot of bicycle riding, even competing in a local league for two years.

All that's kinda why I was surprised and appalled that this machine dared accuse me of such a crime.

Ah, she gave you an electrical impedance tool. Those hand-held ones aren't typically THAT accurate. However, if you're 215 at 5'9", I don't think it'd be a far-fetched value. Performance and body fat composition don't necessarily have a correlation. You'd be more likely to decrease your body fat through lifting than endurance-related events. I'm 153 at 5'8" and around 10-11% body fat. 65 pounds heavier at that body fat % and you'd look like a bodybuilder. If you don't like how you look, then you can decrease your body fat %. If you don't care, then keep on striving to be better. Body fat % is just a number - especially if you're active.

 

[murphyslabrat]

Body fat % is just a number - especially if you're active.

But, but, but, it's a number that ascribes arbitrary value to you.

You'd be more likely to decrease your body fat through lifting than endurance-related events

Really? I've been thinking the other way around. Lifting really burns that much fat?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

But, but, but, it's a number that ascribes arbitrary value to you.
Really? I've been thinking the other way around. Lifting really burns that much fat?

It only matters if you want it to matter. When I've trained hard, I've waivered from 10% to 14%. I had the highest numbers when I also had a relatively high body fat % for my body.

Both lifting and endurance exercise burn calories. Lifting puts a stress on the body to retain lean body mass. If you're in a caloric deficit then, the first thing to go will be fat. When it comes to endurance exercise, the body has no real preference. It will utilize muscle and fat as energy. When I've switched from lifting to more aerobic stuff, my body fat % has gone up every time. I attribute that to loss of lean muscle mass mainly.

 

[Bobalude]

and I just did a 6 minute mile for the first time in my life.

Considering I don't think most people can run a 6 minute mile, I would say you must be in great cardio shape.