Body Fat Percentage

Most people who are overweight know that they need to lose weight, but the question is: how much? When you are beginning a training program, it is helpful to go through a series of fitness assessments, including body composition. Learning your body fat percentage will give you helpful information about the direction that your fitness program should take.

There are several methods of determining body fat percentage, including hydrostatic weighing (underwater), skinfold caliper testing, handheld devices, DXA scan, and BodPod. Most of these methods have some disadvantages, and varying levels of user error or inaccuracy.

One of the most accurate methods of measuring body fat composition is through the BodPod machine, pictured here. This machine is a highly accurate measure, performing an analysis of the body through air displacement. The test is non-invasive and relatively inexpensive, but it may be difficult to find a machine nearby. I completed my test at Baseline Fitness, a personal training studio in Worthington, OH.

For the test, you need to put on a bathing suit and swim cap, and you sit very still inside the egg-shaped pod. I thought I might be somewhat claustrophobic, but the test is only 50 seconds. For accuracy, the test is repeated at least once, potentially twice. When the test is complete and you have dressed, the administrator will explain the analysis, which includes body density, fat weight, fat-free weight, total weight, and body fat percentage.


This information is analyzed according to a chart like the one seen here, and recommendations are made based on your results and your current lifestyle habits.Follow @catherinederrow