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How To Calculate Body Fat Percentage At Home Reddit

Written by Bobby Mar 07, 2023 ยท 3 min read
How To Calculate Body Fat Percentage At Home Reddit

If you re looking to track your fitness progress one of the most important metrics to measure is your body fat percentage Knowing your body fat percentage can help you monitor changes in your body composition and set realistic goals for weight loss or muscle gain While there are many ways to measure body fat percentage one of the easiest and most convenient methods is to do it at home using a few simple measurements .

If you're looking to track your fitness progress, one of the most important metrics to measure is your body fat percentage. Knowing your body fat percentage can help you monitor changes in your body composition and set realistic goals for weight loss or muscle gain. While there are many ways to measure body fat percentage, one of the easiest and most convenient methods is to do it at home using a few simple measurements.

Table of Contents

Step by Step Guide

Here are the steps to calculate your body fat percentage at home:

  1. Weigh yourself on a digital scale and record your weight in pounds.
  2. Measure your height in inches and record the number.
  3. Measure the circumference of your waist at your belly button and record the number in inches.
  4. Measure the circumference of your neck at the base and record the number in inches.
  5. For women, also measure the circumference of your hips at the widest point and record the number in inches.
  6. Use the following formulas to calculate your body fat percentage:
    • For men: 495 / (1.0324 - 0.19077(log(waist - neck)) + 0.15456(log(height))) - 450
    • For women: 495 / (1.29579 - 0.35004(log(waist + hip - neck)) + 0.22100(log(height))) - 450
  7. The result is your estimated body fat percentage.

Tips to Get Accurate Results

Here are some tips to help you get the most accurate results:

  • Measure yourself in the morning before eating or drinking anything.
  • Use a flexible tape measure to ensure accurate circumference measurements.
  • Measure your waist at your belly button, not your natural waistline.
  • For women, measure your hips at the widest point.
  • Ensure that your measurements are consistent each time you calculate your body fat percentage.

Solution for Inaccurate Results

If you're not getting accurate results, there are a few things you can try:

  • Ensure that you're following the correct formulas for your gender.
  • Make sure your measurements are accurate and consistent each time.
  • Try taking your measurements at a different time of day or on a different day to see if the results are consistent.
  • Consider using a different method, such as skinfold calipers or a bioelectrical impedance scale, to measure your body fat percentage.

FAQs

How accurate is this method?

While this method is not as accurate as professional methods such as hydrostatic weighing or DEXA scans, it can still provide a good estimate of your body fat percentage.

Is this method suitable for everyone?

This method may not be suitable for individuals who are very overweight or underweight, as the formulas were developed based on individuals within a certain range of body fat percentages.

How often should I measure my body fat percentage?

It's recommended to measure your body fat percentage every 4-6 weeks to track your progress and adjust your fitness goals as needed.

Pros and Cons of Calculating Body Fat Percentage at Home Reddit

Pros:

  • Easy and convenient to do at home with just a few measurements.
  • Can provide a good estimate of your body fat percentage.
  • Allows you to track your progress and set realistic fitness goals.

Cons:

  • May not be as accurate as professional methods.
  • May not be suitable for individuals who are very overweight or underweight.
  • Results may vary depending on the time of day or day of the week that you take measurements.

Overall, calculating your body fat percentage at home using the formulas above can be a useful tool for tracking your fitness progress and setting realistic goals. While it may not be as accurate as professional methods, it can still provide a good estimate of your body fat percentage and help you make informed decisions about your health and fitness.