BLOG:
The Most Accurate Way to Measure Your Body Fat Percentage at Home
Do you want to know your body fat percentage? It can be a valuable tool for tracking your progress on your fitness journey. But how can you measure it accurately at home without any special equipment?
What is body fat percentage and why is it important?
Body fat percentage is the amount of body fat you have in relation to your total body weight. It’s important to know because it gives you a more accurate picture of your overall health and fitness level than just using your weight as a measure.
For example, someone who weighs 65 kilos and has 30% body fat is carrying almost 20 kilos of fat. Someone else who weighs 65 kilos and has 20% body fat is carrying 13 kilos of fat. Although they weigh the same, the person with less body fat is healthier and has a lower risk for obesity-related diseases.
How to measure your body fat percentage at home
There are a few different ways to measure your body fat percentage. The most accurate way is to use special equipment that measures your body composition, such as a DEXA scan or Bod Pod. However, these methods can be expensive and may not be readily available to everyone.
Another option is to use skinfold calipers. This method is less accurate than body composition scans, but can still give you a good estimate of your body fat percentage. To use skinfold calipers, you will need to take measurements at different sites on your body and then input the data into a formula to calculate your body fat percentage.
You could also manually measure your body with a measuring tape and then use a body fat percentage calculator. Although this method doesn’t require any special equipment, it’s also the least accurate and the most unreliable measure.
If you want to track your body fat percentage over time, Bodymapp is a great option. Bodymapp utilises the depth sensor technology in your iPhone’s front camera to map out the external contours of your body and find your circumference measurements such as your bust, waist, hips, thighs and more.
The app then uses algorithms to determine health measurements such as your body fat percentage, fat free mass, waist to hip ratio and more. Bodymapp also creates a 3D avatar of your body so you can see a 360-degree view of your body, which is more than you can see in the mirror.
How can you reduce your body fat percentage?
There are a few ways you can reduce your body fat percentage, but the most effective way is through a healthy, balanced diet and consistent physical activity. If you’re looking to lose fat, you should aim to create a calorie deficit by eating less and moving more. You can also try HIIT (high intensity interval training) workouts, which have been shown to be effective in reducing body fat.
If you want to track your progress, the Bodymapp app is a great way to do it. You can track a number of different measurements and see how your body composition changes over time. This allows you to see changes in your body – such as body recomposition – that you can’t see on the scales. The app also allows you to set goals and track your progress towards them.
Download Bodymapp here to start measuring your body composition at home!