Bf%

[verbatimreturned]

yea i have a scale like that in my house but i never really trusted it, i just use it for really rough estimations

[BG5150]

I'd just like to know what the big deal is about body fat %. I don't care if you are bulking or cutting. I don't know why everyone is so attached to these numbers. If you look in the mirror and you think you look fat with 25% body fat or 10% body fat, then take off some fat. If you think you look okay, then great! If you think you look too skinny--eat! Simple.

[WantingMuscle7]

Just something I wanted know just curious. I figured it would be better to see if you guys knew the formula used in calculating bf cause the online things not good for me 2 sites like 5 different percents.

[verbatimreturned]

i think the whole thing with the bodyfat % is people just want to know out of curiousity like wantingmuscle said. maybe even for people who dont care about how they look but mostly they have to maintain a certaint percentage to be healthy, probably something like that

[Darkhorse]

Also it depends on your BPM's. They say that the results would obviously be off if you did it after exercise versus before. If after, it'll most likely be higher than you really are.

[BG5150]

Originally Posted by verbatimreturned

i think the whole thing with the bodyfat % is people just want to know out of curiousity like wantingmuscle said. maybe even for people who dont care about how they look but mostly they have to maintain a certaint percentage to be healthy, probably something like that

That's crap. It's not just curiosity. People are overly-concerned with this. There a million messages out ont he boards about it--"what the most accurate way for me to tell..." dah dah dah....a lot of people are obsessed with that.

And it's not about being healthy. Sure body fat has something to do with it, but people seem to think they have to micro manage it to 1/2 and 1/4 percents! And after you get under 15 or so (I'm just pulling that # out of the air), how much "healthier" are you gonna get?

Here's what I think: It's all a bunch of psycho-competitve crap. Hear me out: people can't compare weight. If I'm 6'2 and weigh 200# I may be in better or worse "shape" than a 170# man. You can't compare lifting stats: a 250# guy can probably lift more than a 190# guy if they are more or less int he same "shape". So what's left? Body fat % seems to be the only absolute, that can apply to anyone, whether 5' or 6'7 or 120# or 245#.

And unless you are a competitive (as in competing in meets) bodybuilder, I see no reason to be hyper-concerned with this stat.

I do understand that you need to be cognizant of your approximate body fat for health reasons. But, damn, just look in the mirror. If you think you look fat, you are! I doubt you'd say: "Jeez I look a little flabby, but I just measured my bf% and it was 15, so I'm okay."

[WantingMuscle7]

Im sure many people go crazy with it im just curious of what mine is.

[BG5150]

Originally Posted by WantingMuscle7

Im sure many people go crazy with it im just curious of what mine is.

I wasjustrantingingeneral,and it was by no means pointed at anyone here. I for one would be interested in mine, but I've afraid to find out (it's way too high!). Just as I'm afraid to get my cholestrol checked...gotta be sky high. But my motto: if you're gonna go, you might as well go "in the saddle" and well fed.

[verbatimreturned]

Originally Posted by BradG

That's crap. It's not just curiosity. People are overly-concerned with this. There a million messages out ont he boards about it--"what the most accurate way for me to tell..." dah dah dah....a lot of people are obsessed with that.

And it's not about being healthy. Sure body fat has something to do with it, but people seem to think they have to micro manage it to 1/2 and 1/4 percents! And after you get under 15 or so (I'm just pulling that # out of the air), how much "healthier" are you gonna get?

Here's what I think: It's all a bunch of psycho-competitve crap. Hear me out: people can't compare weight. If I'm 6'2 and weigh 200# I may be in better or worse "shape" than a 170# man. You can't compare lifting stats: a 250# guy can probably lift more than a 190# guy if they are more or less int he same "shape". So what's left? Body fat % seems to be the only absolute, that can apply to anyone, whether 5' or 6'7 or 120# or 245#.

And unless you are a competitive (as in competing in meets) bodybuilder, I see no reason to be hyper-concerned with this stat.

I do understand that you need to be cognizant of your approximate body fat for health reasons. But, damn, just look in the mirror. If you think you look fat, you are! I doubt you'd say: "Jeez I look a little flabby, but I just measured my bf% and it was 15, so I'm okay."

lets not forget that this is a bodybuilding forum, and im sure some people here have been competitive at one point. but then again I agree with you people tend to become over obbessed, but its always interesting to know things like that

[BG5150]

Originally Posted by verbatimreturned

lets not forget that this is a bodybuilding forum, and im sure some people here have been competitive at one point. but then again I agree with you people tend to become over obbessed, but its always interesting to know things like that

Honestly, for the most part, I see mostly lifters here. Not necessarily powerlifters, but guys who are lifting for sports or just trying to get bigger (or more cut w/out losing muscle) than competetive bb'ers.