i have a lot of muscle but im worried that im overweight...how do u figure out how much muscle mass is in or/ body fat u have??
2007-07-19 04:48:38 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
Weight is very misleading. The best way to measure bodyfat is with skin caliper or using a bio-impedance device (not as good as calipers). Seek out a knowledgeable trainer to get this assessment done. You simply need to pay for his or her time that day.
2007-07-19 04:53:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
BMI is great for figuring how much weight you've lost or gained in the long run, but it shouldn't be the end-all in finding out if you're overweight.
Check into a scale that offers a body fat percentage. If yours is under 20%, consider yourself normal and fit.
A lot of "thin" people with low BMIs have a high body fat percentage while a lot of "heavy" people with high BMIs have a low body fat percentage.
If your waist is under 36 inches, then consider yourself completely normal as well.
2007-07-19 11:52:06 · answer #2 · answered by FaZizzle 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't waste your time w/ BMI...it's fine for looking statistically at large groups of people in a comparative way...but it's absolutely useless for entire segments of the population...especially if your physically fit. Muscle weighs more than fat...so if you're in good shape BMI is worthless.
According to the BMI...I'm overweight...nearly obese. Yet I am in top condition...and have only about 9-10% body fat (based on caliper testing) but my relative BMI score is 29!!
Go to a reputable gym in your area...or to a local college/university w/ a health center. You can have a variety of low cost tests performed (caliper, submersion,etc.) that will give you an accurate assessment of your body content.
Good luck!!
**EDIT**
The scales mentioned by some folks here simply use a calculation similar to the BMI...which again...is largely worthless for knowing specifics (it's fine for establishing a baseline for weight gain or loss...but NOT for determining YOUR actual body content).
And, while there's nothing wrong w/ asking your Doctor...unless your really overweight...he/she will likely brush you off w/ the same BMI answer.
And, unless your seeing a specialist in sports medicine...most doctors are NOT qualified to perform true body mass testing (it's not that they couldn't...it's just NOT what they've been trained to do).
2007-07-19 12:02:12 · answer #3 · answered by widewillie 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are scales that actually measure your body fat. You stand on them with slightly dampened feet after putting in info like height, gender, and age. The scale then calculates your body fat. Also, if you are worried about it, a trip to the doctor never hurt anyone either.
2007-07-19 11:51:28 · answer #4 · answered by mjh 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
doctors are the only ones that can get the exact ratio
but there is a body fat index calculator on this site
http://www.halls.md/body-mass-index/av.htm
2007-07-19 11:51:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they make bodyfat calipers to tell your fat% like 20$
or you can get a good weight scale that will tell you 40-100$
2007-07-19 11:51:59 · answer #6 · answered by flex2009 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way is to see your doctor about that.
2007-07-19 11:51:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
calculate your BMI: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/
2007-07-19 11:51:06 · answer #8 · answered by catsmeowjrk2000 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋