[Closed] Body Fat Measurement - US Naval Method?

Must be wrong 😉 I'm 6ft 4 and still 24 stone and apparently im in the acceptable range!

Just put my details in to Navy website and fig comes out lower than on my scales by 2%.

Both systems based on some sort of algorithm, but at least the scales include some form of measurement before the calculation - nither is perfect.

As with all these things, trend is more important than which number you hit, so if by measuring with whichever method, the trend is going in the direction you want, then it's right.

16% according to this. Tanita scales say 23%. Skinfold says 19%. I think I like this method !

lucien - I would argue that a tape measure gives you some form of measurement.

Try standing on your bodyfat scales with a cast iron weight and see what happens to your bodyfat %...

12,6%, happy but could do better.
I'm not sure if any method is going to be accurate, so, like flap_jack, just pick the result that makes you happy.
[img] http://www.smileys4me.com/getsmiley.php?show=2143 [/img]

8% using this method. Scales say 5.9%.

5'11'' and 62kg.

Flaperon - do your scales have an 'athlete' mode?

Don - can you see your abs? It's about progress though isn't it... and finding my racing weight 🙂

From other tests I would have said I was 7% +/- 2% as no test is that accurate.

That Navy link has me at 7.4% so it seems to be reasonably accurate.

Though an inch either way on the waist and hip account for a shift of 2% so it is very reliant on taking the measurements in the correct place.

Don - can you see your abs? It's about progress though isn't it... and finding my racing weight

TSY - yes, in athlete mode as otherwise they reckons I'm 30% body fat...

HAHA... from your measurements I'm guessing that would be impossible.

I think I need to try some with an athlete mode.

Results:
body fat = 11.5%
US units metric units other units
sex male
height 5feet 4inches
neck 0feet 15inches
waist 0feet 30inches
hip 0feet 35inches

TSY - the book says to use it if resting heart rate below 60 and more than 5 hours of "vigorous exercise" a week.

lucien - I would argue that a tape measure gives you some form of measurement.

Try standing on your bodyfat scales with a cast iron weight and see what happens to your bodyfat %...

TSY - As long as you did this every time, and the trend was going in the direction you wanted, it would be a reliable form of measurement.

FWIW my Tanita scales on athlete mode have my body fat at 9.6% in the morning and <8% in the evenings, depending on hydration and how much I have ridden that day

My Mum thinks I look ill = racing weight

Last time I had this measured I was borderline malnourished using caliper/skinfold and borderline obese using height and weight. Must be about right then 😉

'race weight' ? WTF ?

Are there races for different weight classes now ?

Get off the scales and on the bike and aim for maximum SPEED.

flap_jack - you forget that you already posted your flabby stats above or something?

13% but I am a fatty at the moment, haven't been riding anywhere near enough and have been eating mountains of filth whilst working silly hours. It'll be back to normal in the new year 🙁

Indeedy.

I have recently done a Personal Trainer course so I know the 'measurements' at the moment. 'Measurements' in quotes because all these methods are approximations. I prefer the 'if you can see your abs and the split in your biceps then you're under 10%' approximation. Because that gives me an answer I like even better.

When I train for bike racing I won't get on the scales, I closely monitor the power meter on the turbo or on the bike. And do geeky graphs etc (which probably don't help either).

I suppose the important point is that if you think your monitoring will do some good, by placebo effect it probably will. And for that reason it may be worth doing. I'd just rather do the stuff that I think monitors the results that may be transferable to the goal (more speed = winning races).

I've also found I'm fastest running when thinnest, but fast cycling seems (in my case) to need a couple of extra fat kilos...

flap_jack, placebo effect... 😆

Try reading the book, eh? You might learn something... like about power to weight ratios...

Maybe I'm more aerodynamic with those fat kilos 🙂 Power to weight ain't everything - although if you think it is, then by placebo effect you'll do better...

If I bump this will Solo see it and tell me whether I'm allowed milk after exercise on the iDiet?

I've also found I'm fastest running when thinnest, but fast cycling seems (in my case) to need a couple of extra fat kilos...

Yet two posts up you're making out knowing your weight is a waste of time.

Make your mind up. 😕

phil.w - specifically they're fat kilos too.

iDave - Member
My Mum thinks I look ill = racing weight

ha ha.... and starts bringing cakes round 😆

specifically they're fat kilos too

🙂 I missed that.

Have you finished the book yet. What did you think?

I've not finished it yet, but I'm finding it a good read so far. Haven't really got into the key sections...

It's sort of confirming my theory that for an ideal endurance build I need to lose a bit of lean body weight, or become a cross country skier. 😀

My Mum thinks I look ill = racing weight

+1 getting grief of mother and 2 grannies here.

Result - Athlete 13%

179cm and 76kg/12st - compared to 15stone this time last year.

In other fitness news, I ran 6.1 miles last night with no hurting tendons and completely relaxed and comfortable the whole time. I still don't look ripped though so I suppose I'm a failure.

Well done Molly... what pace?

Also, can you answer my milk question?

Well the 4HB version of iDave's diet tells you to GOMAD to put weight on, i.e. a litre of milk, 4 times a day, and be super careful about what else you eat to avoid putting fat on at the same time. The implication being that you'll put on muscle so fast a bit of added fat will be easier to get rid of at a later date than to try and put on the same lean muscle slowly.

I drank shedloads of milk while I was off the bike with a knee injury for 2 years at uni, that combined with swimming sessions twice a day meant I was pretty muscly, but also had a bit of a belly, but wasnt planning it as a diet so ate lots of harribo and pasta as well.

In other fitness news, I ran 6.1 miles last night with no hurting tendons and completely relaxed and comfortable the whole time. I still don't look ripped though so I suppose I'm a failure.

Congrats, that's almost a 10k nailed.

Oh, and apart from sprinters, most runners don't really look ripped.

Jamie - did you watch the world cross country racing yesterday... even the women were ripped... well lean as hell!

TSY - Can't say I did. As always, I am always ready to be corrected.

I know what you mean about the sprinters BTW, just looking at some of the distance runners... they're not far off skeletal...

[img] [/img]

The few races I have done, just 1/2 marathons and the like, you see this guys who look like they should be admitted into hospital as they look so emaciated......then they blast past you as if you were not there*

*as most people do to me.

Your not exactly slow though Jamie.

Perhaps you just need to get 'the look'?

I'm firmly mid pack, TSY.

The thing is, I could get 'the look' if I it wasn't for one thing.

I. LOVE. FOOD.

Mostly cakes/chocolate and chips.

...I am going to restart weight training next year, so maybe that will help.

Me too.

The good lady wants to iDiet and want me to do it too. She's not allowing my hybird version that I've been doing so all the Xmas chocolates sat on the desk opposite me are staying there until Friday.

What is the Hybrid Version™?

DEXA

do you have one LabMonkey?

Ha, it's my own version Jamie... it'll cost you..

Or you could just allow Dairy and Fruit and cheat every 3 - 4 days?

phil.w +1