Bod Fat Calculations Confusing

Last night at the YMCA I had a body fat compostion done and it came up 48.8% fat which I thought was very high. Today, I've done a search on line for body fat calculators and you wouldn't believe how widely the calculations vary. I've listed some below. Does anyone know the "right" way to calculate body fat percentage without going somewhere to have a water displacement test? Web site 1: (based on height/weight only) 32.8% body fat Web site 2: (based on waist size/weight only) 9.2% Web site 3 (YMCA): (based on waist size/height only) 23.62% Web site 4 (based on height, abdominal, thigh, calf measurements and sedentary activity) 29.2% Web site 5 (US Navy Circumference method) (based on height, hip, waist and neck measurements) 26% Web site 6 (based on height, abdomen and hip measurements) 30.19% Now you know why I'm confused. Please help. Julie

Julie, I also have a hard time with these. Was your test done with calipers? If it was, then my guess would be that the excess skin we have is added to the fat thereby increasing the appearance of more body fat. I did buy one of the scales that do the bioimpedence method last night and it said that I'm about 30% body fat. I wasn't very happy with that number, but it also states right in the booklet that it's not so accurate for athletes or people with a lot of muscle mass, which category I think I fall into. I think that even though 30% is a little high, it's close enough to normal or healthy that it's not worth the energy to fret over. These things also have a 3-6% error in them, which is a lot. Today I decided I wasn't going to worry about it anymore since my BMI is so close to normal that it really doesn't matter. My activity level will determine where the scale ends up, and if it stays right where it's at, I've still had a successful journey. You have also had a successful journey, so I don't think we need to worry about this anymore. We are much smaller than we were when we started out and wearing what most people would consider about average/normal/small clothing sizes. At this point, I'm more concerned with fitness than with what the scale says. If I were you, Julie, what I would worry about is what you want to get out of your exercise program. If you are faithful to any program, you will see results. They may not be noticed on the scale, but you will notice the progression of how much more/faster/heavier you can do this week than last, and I think that's what it's all about. What do you think? Linn

I think you're probably right; it's just interesting to see how differently everyone calculates. You've been good inspiration for me and you'll be glad to know that I've been to the gym twice in the past 4 days (I know..I know, but you've got to start somewhere). I'm doing 20 minutes on an elliptical trainer followed by a 30 minute work out on a couple of the Nautilus machines. My goal this year is to keep it up. I don't see any marathons on the horizon, but it's alot better than doing nothing. Thanks for the encouragment. Julie

Boy, Julie. I don't know! When they try at the health club, they tell me they can't measure it any more...not through my loose skin cuz there's no fat in there! Gotta find a different machine or whatever I guess. Cheers, Rusty

Julia, I got a new digital scale for Christmas that is supposed to calculate percentage of fat. So after reading your post yesterday, I thought I'd try to figure out how to get it to tell me my fat percentage (I now wish I hadn't - 39%). It all seems so confusing! Congratulations on your working out routine. Those elliptical machines are a great work out! I have been trying to work out at least 4 times a week, 30 minues or 500 calories burned, which ever comes first. Surely if I keep it up, the fat percentage will lower.

I'm sure your work outs will be very effective. If I can get to 30 minutes on the elliptical machine, I'll be tickled pink! Julie

Don't even have a clue as to which is the best way to calculate. I know my doctor did body fat % before surgery with a special machine with electrodes that were put on different parts of my body. Haven't had it done since. I'm judging more by BMI than anything else. Mary