body fat % machines

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So I finally decided to get my body fat % taken.

I am a 35 yo gal who is 5'7" and weighs 147 pounds, but I wear a size 6 or 8 pants, so although I am heavy I am not fat. I work out for 1-1 1/2 hr every day.

So the personal trainer has me stand on the scale/body-fat measuring thing.

It comes back that I am 36.7% fat and need to lose 29 pounds.

Now I haven't seen 118 pounds since I was 13 and unless I lose a limb I will not be losing 30 pounds.

I then had a pinch test which came up at 24%, which didn't sound too bad to me.

But really, how accurate are any of these tests?
(I'm a little doubtful after my experience)
 
The skinfold test is way more accurate. I don't think those machines that read electrical impedence are all that accurate at all.
 
they are not at all accurate it varies by about 20% (thats the highest ive heard) depending how much you drank that day, if you had coffee, your blood sugar, so many things make it vary that its not even worth it. the calipers (skin fold test) are much more accurate

now i just need to get my hands on some.
 
aevans410 said:
The skinfold test is way more accurate. I don't think those machines that read electrical impedence are all that accurate at all.
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Yes, the body-fat scales are garbage.
Just a note - everyone's caliper measuring method is different. Next time you get your BF% tested, be sure it's by the same person so you will get consistent numbers.
 
Yes those scales such. They can be so frustrating for a lot of people. 24% sounds much better!

I agree that you should try to have the same person do the tests each time. Different people can squeeze different amount and and the results won't make sense.

Sarah
 
there is really only one perfect way is that water displacement test, forget the real name saw it on "biggest loser" (the show that kinda of inspired me to get going on working out) they weigh you then put you in a tub of water and measure the amout of water displaced aka your volume, then do some craazy math and find your body mass. not easy to do cause you get all wet and not many places have them.
 
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