How do I work out my body fat percentage?

[justanormaldude]

I'm 6'3 and I'm 197ibs. Any idea how to work it out?

[Xfitchick]

Websites enough with methods. Or you step on a special scale in your gym (electric measurements), or you do skin fold measurements (3 point, 4 point, 7 point ,...)

[justanormaldude]

What's skin fold measurements?

[Xfitchick]

At certain places on your body, you have to measure the thickness of the fat layer. That goes into a formula or you use tables that tell you your fat percentage.

[justanormaldude]

How do I do a skin fold measurement?

[Xfitchick]

Look at the sites. Too difficult to explain here without the correct pictures.

[justanormaldude]

What's site best explains it?

[Xfitchick]

Depends on the method you choose. Just type fat measument by skinfolds and you will get to them and try different ones. That gives you a good range. An exact determination is only possible by the swimpool method or a full body MRI, which you don't want to pay.

[jesshkah]

Not from just your height and weight no. Body fat percentage has to be measured with a machine because it's literally looking at your body composition.

[justanormaldude]

Where can I go to use one of these machines?

[jesshkah]

Some gyms might have them though they're not always accurate. Honestly the most accurate ones are in medical facilities or hospitals. You can get a full scan done for like $50 which is kinda pricey but it's the most accurate one.

Seriously.. you can't go off just measurements though. Everyone's built differently and just because you're thick doesn't mean you're fat, etc.

[justanormaldude]

I live in the uk so do you think its still in medical facilities or hospitals?

[jesshkah]

Yep. Should be. Also read this: www.muscleforlife.com/.../

[Anonymous]

Does your body look like this?

cf.girlsaskguys.com/.../...2-9cec-1fc3457c2ad4.jpg

[justanormaldude]

no, I wish

[mjz00]

hi, if you give your neck, waist and hip measurements ill have a look for you xx

[justanormaldude]

Neck = 39.9cm
Waist = 91.5cm
Hip = 58.9 cm

Thanks

[mjz00]

hi 17.8% which falls in the 14 to 17 % range of fitness level, average range is 18 to 24, so well done you lol xx

[justanormaldude]

How did you work that out?

[mjz00]

ooo do i give away my secrets lol there are many online calculators, calculator. net has a vast range for you to look into, xx

[justanormaldude]

So do you think 17.8% is good, bad, alright could do better?

[mjz00]

i think you are in a very good place, average percentage for the age group you fall into is around 25% so you are in a minority, do you train? and why do question yourself out of interest? xx

[justanormaldude]

I go to the gym sometimes and that's why I question it I feel like that's kind of, well wrong so that's why questioning it

[mjz00]

what do you mean because only sometimes you attend the gym, like its not enough?

[justanormaldude]

yeah I think I should go much much more

[mjz00]

well that is your issue alone, however physically you are in a good way and still very young so you are keeping the right moves. if you have a reasonably active lifestyle outside of the gym and eat well there is no real need to be in the gym all the time. moderate activity everyday is enough for most people if not seeking weight loss, or if you are not seeking to be a body builder type? which personally i dont find attractive, tone yes a more natural look for me anyday xx

[justanormaldude]

I want a slim toned body with a six pack. That's the dream for me lol. Do you have any idea how far off I am?

[mjz00]

lol well not really as i haven't seen you personally, however you have very little body fat so i would assume your muscle tone is apparent, if not you need to work on this, whats your typical routine at the gym? and how often do you go? is there a pattern?

[justanormaldude]

there's not really a pattern I go whenever and I do 70% cardio and 30% weights and stuff

[mjz00]

im no expert but considering what you want to achieve and your body fat level i would do less cardio and more weights to build the tone you desire and the more muscle tone you have the more your body burns fat anyway therefore balancing out some reasons for cardio. someone also told me about varying your weights routine say, i go to the gym three times a week and used to do a full body workout for tone with weights, they told me to spend two times in a row just concentrating on one area i was looking to improve and then the next two times another area etc, so for you trash your abs first then maybe arms then legs, then an all over routine etc might be worth asking an instructor at your gym for advice xx

[justanormaldude]

how long do you think it will take me to get what i want?

[mjz00]

as you have low body fat i would think you would see muscle tone building up pretty quickly certainly within a couple of months with commitment.. xx