Fifty Plus (50+) - Body Fat Percentage for 50+ Bicyclers

Body Fat Percentage (BFP) for 50+ Bicyclers

I have one of those Tanita Body Fat scales (I do not have the "athletic" mode.)

I know that it is grossly inaccurate to actually determine BFP (particularly for folks who have a bit of muscle) but I have been taking my BFP regularly when I weigh daily, which is always the same time.

Although it varies some from day to day, and bounces around a bit, I have been able to develop a trend line of sorts. This trend line shows that, during my recent attempts to lose weight, my BFP has dropped about 5%.

When I had my BFP done a few years back with calipers, there was an adjustment they made in the forumla based on the fact that I was "old" and other's weren't.

Anyone know anything about that?

Anyone else attempting to track BFP?

My tanita used to rate me between 23% and 26%. Thank goodness my daughter took it to school. I'll start tracking with the one site calipers once I drop below 200 lbs.

We have the scales and I weigh myself and check BFP before and after rides. It does not vary more than 1% from before and after and I am normally around 22%. What I find does affect it my BFP are those occasions when I do not ride for about 10 days. BFP will go up to above 23%

Body Fat on my Tanita fluctuates between 18 and 20%. After watching it for 2 years I have a suspicion that water intake somehow affects the reading. When I don't drink much, the percentage seems to go down. Wonder if less fluid affects the electric measurement on fat? Not so much with output....along with Stapfam, I notice only moderate changes after a heavy sweating ride despite maybe weighing 3 lbs. or so less.

Along with bike computers and HR monitors, these gizmos are interesting and helpful, but we shouldn't spend overmuch time staring at them and pondering their significance.

I have one of those. It has a lot to do with bowel movements and water retention. I never could figure out what that means except that a low number typically also means a low body weight.

I found this on the internet somewhere.
Standards:

Male 17 - 20 yrs (Army Recruit) 24%
Male 40+ 30
Male 40+ health 10-25
Male 40+ fitness 7-18

I was at 18 about a year ago, according to the electro machine at the fitness club, but not now.

I got one of those calipers about a year ago. I don't know how accurate they are. I take 3 measurements - chest, stomach and thighs and the chart extrapolates body fat% based on some standardized database. I came out at 11 something percent last year. Probably a litttle less now since my pants are looser. I guess the only really accurate BF measurement is the one where they immerse you in water??

My Tanita scale lately has been giving me at 19.2-19.8% and I'm 60# overweight. I don't think they, or at least mine, are very accurate. :)

My Tanita scale lately has been giving me at 19.2-19.8% and I'm 60# overweight. I don't think they, or at least mine, are very accurate. :)

Yeah, mine will vary by 2 - 3% from day to day. I KNOW I am not gaining and losing that much weight daily.:D

One of the local hospitals has a geezer program, if I recall right called 50+!!, and they will measure us electronically with some number of electrodes attached to us for $10. Can't remember how many electrodes. About 4 years ago I was 19% by their measurements and 6 months ago I was 14% by caliper. I guess that I've got a low-fat muscular belly.

Although there is alot of "slop" in almost any form of body fat measurement, including immersion, I typically test in the low teens, which seems credible in my case.

I found this on the internet somewhere.
Standards:

Male 17 - 20 yrs (Army Recruit) 24%
Male 40+ 30
Male 40+ health 10-25
Male 40+ fitness 7-18

I was at 18 about a year ago, according to the electro machine at the fitness club, but not now.
I'm really curious why it would be a standard for younger men to have higher body fat than older ones?