Best Way to Measure Your Body Fat

With so many people becoming more health and fitness conscious, it points to the specific concern most people have, and that is their weight. Joining gyms and trying the latest fad diet seems to be an intricate part of today's society-living well and looking fit. We have truly become a society ruled by the scale and disciplined by the mirror. However, for those who are truly health and weight conscious, they know it really boils down to body fat.

So, how can we effectively and efficiently measure body fat? When determining the best way to measure body fat, you should keep in mind the accuracy of the method, the reliability of the method, the availability of the method, and the cost that may be attached to the method.

The most common way to measure body fat is by using the height/weight table. Unfortunately, as common as it is, it is also the least accurate way to measure body fat, because technically it does not really measure body fat. This calculating method has the person find their height on a chart, run their finger across the chart to find the supposed ideal weight for you. It fails to take into account the fact that you can be over that designated weight, and yet healthy and not over the body fat level.

Next, there is the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is another well known and utilized tool in the effort of reshaping the health of one's body. Again, however, this method also does not entirely measure body fat, but it is more closely associated with a person's body fat. This method uses a mathematical formula to calculate a person's body mass, and the formula is as follows: BMI= Body Mass in kilograms ÷ (height x height in meters). Then once you come up with the BMI number you compare it to the range on a Body Mass Index Classification chart. The problem with BMI is that it does not allow for muscular development.

The best way to measure body fat is through Hydrostatic Weighing, which is the most accurate way to measure true body fat. In this method your body composition is the only variable that can and will affect the results are calculated. So, before you do this type of procedure you should note that the amount of body fluid at the time of the test, your skin temperature, and who actually does the exam can influence the result negatively. Also, this method can be a bit expensive and even hard to find, though many upscale gyms now have invested in hydrostatic weight tanks or what is known as the "Bod Pod". The way this measurement works is through the Archimede's Principle. Your hydrostatic weight examiner with first calculate your body density, which is done by measuring how much water your body displaces when you first get into the tank. Your body density calculation is then entered into a formula that calculates body fat based on body density.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the access to a hydrostatic weight tank or the finances to pay for it. If this is the case, the economically best way to measure body fat is with Skin-fold Measurement. This method is accurate and reliable and easy to obtain. This method uses a body fat caliper, which can be purchased inexpensively. It utilizes subcutaneous fat, which is the fat found under the skin, to calculate a person's body fat. The body fat caliper registers a number that is then imputed into a formulary equation that will calculate the body density and body fat percentage. This method allows the person to monitor their own progress with ease as they pursue the road to healthy living.

It all comes down to our quest and desire to look good and feel healthy. Understanding weight, and body fat calculation will help you seek out that body you are looking for, and that healthy feeling that comes with it.