A couple of days ago I was measured in Body Fat %, and I got 8.9%. I know I am skinny, and I am trying really hard to gain muscle through workout and diet. I just thought I would be more of a 15% around. Is it allright??, cause I was thinking that my abs would be more obvious in a BF% like that...

Hey man.

I think you are about right with 15%. Anywhere between 15%-18% would be my guesstimate. Body Fat percentages can be a bit difficult to pin point exactly, especially if you were measured with callipers and they weren't used properly.

Jordan

well, the awkward thing is that I visited a nutrinionist and the measured me with a machine by getting attavhed by 4 cables (2 on my hand and 2 on my foot). and the fat percentage 8.9 %. So why would I get such a result?

Evangelos,

Those machines are notoriously inaccurate. They use electrical impedence based on the phenomenon that electricity moves slower thru fat versus muscle tissue. So many things affect this test like time of day, food intake, water levels, etc. First off, all body fat tests need to be done first thing in the morning before you have any food and drink and you have emptied your bladder and bowels. Second, if using skin fold calipers, it needs to be done by the same person on the exact same skin positions at the exact same time of day to be accurate.

The most accurate body fat tests are DEXA scans (like and MRI) and water submerssion tests. I agree with Jordan that you are more likely 15-18% body fat. At 8.9%, you would be near Scott's level of muscular definition and vascularity :-)

John

I wass thinking to buy a skin fold calliper to measure my percentage. You think it is a waste of money and it is not accurate?

I believe it is accurate, having in mind the whole information I 've taken over forums, but I found impossible to measure myself by my own. I would suggest you visit a nutritionist and ask him/her to measure you with the calliper. Keep in mind that I tried once and the result seems to be faulse, according to my post, but I didn't get measured by calliper. Personally, I think I will give it another shot!

I believe it is accurate, having in mind the whole information I 've taken over forums, but I found impossible to measure myself by my own. I would suggest you visit a nutritionist and ask him/her to measure you with the calliper. Keep in mind that I tried once and the result seems to be faulse, according to my post, but I didn't get measured by calliper. Personally, I think I will give it another shot!

The best caliper is the SlimGuide one. Use the J-P 7 measurement formula and you'll be within 1-2% of a DEXA scan.

The slim guide callipers are available on Amazon both in the UK and US. They include instructions on the correct way to measure body fat. May have to invest in some myself.

If you truly want an accurate bf testing then I'd suggest doing the tests John stated above. The handheld electrical and caliper tests aren't 100% I suggest using those numbers as a way to track progress but even then somedays you may see the numbers and say... huh?

You have some great information in this forum, so take that and use it :)

You will always struggle to get a way to measure your percentage absolutely perfectly without MRIs or water submersions like John mentioned. If you aren't worried about exact numbers, just judge by how you look in the mirror (e.g whether you have great definition across the entire body, as well as vascularity and not many 'wobbly' bits).

Jordan

John,

Up to you but based on your pics I think you are lower than9% bodyfat. I would say more like 7% or so.

John

Really?! I thought i was about 9.5-10% and was thinking to start some cutting in some months from now..

ok guys, thank you all very much!

We used to have that exact machine at my old gym. I remember always having to stick pads on my clients and having them remove their shoes/socks was always a treat! haha

Calipers are accurate if done correctly.

All in all... you just need a good guestimate to figure out your meal plan if that is your main goal with knowing your bodyfat %.

I personally don't care what mine is.. I look in the mirror to judge my progress.

Thoughts?

I see, so you would say I am around what BF%?