Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Body Fat %

Guys,

What is a good body fat percentage. I took some test at the health club, it was a hand held thing, and I came in at 27%. The guy was like for your age and height that is OK. Research on the wonderful web gives mixed reviews. I then filled out some online thing with waist size (40 and shrinking) and weight (272) and that said I was 17%.

Now there is a bit of a difference. I am in shape, so not as worried about stuff now, but my goal is to get under 20, and maybe someday under 10. For now as long as I can run competetive miles and big hard, I am happy.

Any words of advice or cause for concern? I never thought of BF% until I read a post here about fit clyde's.:o

Thanks

Mike

Using the below table as a guide:

General Body Fat Percentage Categories from American Council on Exercise

Classification of body fat % for Men
Essential Fat 2-4%
Athletes 6-13%
Fitness 14-17%
Acceptable 18-25%
Obese 25% plus

You have to ask yourself with a 40 inch waist at 272 pounds which category do you more likely fall into. Body fat is a difficult thing to measure accurately. It would be my guess that the test at the health club is "closer" to accurate than the online calculator.

between 111% and 126% :D

i've heard 18% is a good goal for relatively healthy men. i've also heard the electronic measure devices aren't very accurate. i have one at home, that i can use several times in a few minutes and the result range from 29% to 37%. so i just use it as a ballpark figure

A skinfold caliper is the most accurate test that you can get outside of going to a clinic that does an immersion/displacement test. I've used those dual-handle electronic BF% meters before and ended up with some results that were 10% off from the results that I get wtih a caliper measurement.
In lieu of buying a caliper, you can do a tape measure multi-point measurement and get fairly close. This site does pretty well by taking age, weight, waist, hips, forearm, and wrist into account.
http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/home-body-fat-test-2774-143.html
It's typically within 3% of what I get for a caliper measurement.

27% is a little high no matter what your height is. The American Dietetic Association lists 15-18% as the healthy range. I try and keep myself between 18 and 23%, and I've never had a doctor tell me that I was unhealthy after checking my BP, HR, and cholesterol levels. It's considered an "overweight" BF% by most standards, but as long as my other stats are OK, then I'm not worried. Take those into consideration when being concerned with BF%. You might be healthier than the 8% BF person in front of you at the grocery, because their cholesterol and resting pulse are through the roof.

A skinfold caliper is the most accurate test that you can get outside of going to a clinic that does an immersion/displacement test. I've used those dual-handle electronic BF% meters before and ended up with some results that were 10% off from the results that I get wtih a caliper measurement.
In lieu of buying a caliper, you can do a tape measure multi-point measurement and get fairly close. This site does pretty well by taking age, weight, waist, hips, forearm, and wrist into account.
http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/home-body-fat-test-2774-143.html
It's typically within 3% of what I get for a caliper measurement.

27% is a little high no matter what your height is. The American Dietetic Association lists 15-18% as the healthy range. I try and keep myself between 18 and 23%, and I've never had a doctor tell me that I was unhealthy after checking my BP, HR, and cholesterol levels. It's considered an "overweight" BF% by most standards, but as long as my other stats are OK, then I'm not worried. Take those into consideration when being concerned with BF%. You might be healthier than the 8% BF person in front of you at the grocery, because their cholesterol and resting pulse are through the roof.
How would the Skinfold Caliper Test be affected by somebody loosing a MASSIVE amount of weight and having a lot of loose skin?

Tom,

I have got to believe that we are sort of SOL on the old skin fold caliper test. I doubt I have quite as much loose skin as you do but I can sure grab handful. I wonder if it would effect the bioimpediance measures as well. If you ever get a semi definitive answer to that one please post it, I will as well.

Mike

Tom,

I have got to believe that we are sort of SOL on the old skin fold caliper test. I doubt I have quite as much loose skin as you do but I can sure grab handful. I wonder if it would effect the bioimpediance measures as well. If you ever get a semi definitive answer to that one please post it, I will as well.

Mike
Willdo! Shoot, I have enough loose skin that I can do a reasonable imitation of a Flying Squirrel!:D

Willdo! Shoot, I have enough loose skin that I can do a reasonable imitation of a Flying Squirrel!:D

Yep I joke with my wife and call mine a solar sail or my parachute.

I consider it a badge of honor at this point though, sure I wish I hadn't gotten big enough to earn the badge but now that I have it it is a good reminder not to slack off and go back to my old ways.