Body Fat Calculations - Anyone use this method before?

[backtothegym]

Hi All,

I found the below formula, and it is very accurate to the BF that Doug provided me when I did the math...check it out and let me know what you think.

For Men:
Before you use the formulas, there are two measurements that are required:

Measurement 1: Bodyweight

Measurement 2: Waist Girth (measured at the umbilicus)

Procedure:
1) Multiply your bodyweight by 1.082. Add the result to 94.42. Once your calculation is complete, save the number. à (Bodyweight x 1.082) + 94.42=Result 1

2) Multiply your waist girth by 4.15. Once you get this result, subtract it from the number obtained in step 1 (ie: Step 1 result-Step 2 result). The result obtained after the subtraction is done is your lean bodyweight (your weight if you had no fat in your body at all). à Result 1 - (Waist Girth x 4.15)= Lean Body Weight

3) Finally, subtract your lean bodyweight from your total bodyweight (Total weight-Lean Bodyweight). Once you get the result, multiply that number by 100. Once you get the result divide it by your total bodyweight. This final result is your percentage of body fat. à ((Total Bodyweight - Lean Bodyweight) x 100) divided by (Your Body Weight) = Your Percentage of Body Fat.

Example:
I weigh 190 and I have a 30.5inch waist. Therefore, step 1 is (190 x 1.082) + 94.42 = 300. Step 2 says that my lean body weight equals 300-(30.5 x 4.15)=173.425. Finally, Step 3 says that my body fat percentage is ((190-173.425) x 100) divided by 190= 8.72%.

[Blaster]

Never have seen this method before. I did the calculations and its pretty close. Good post Rep+

[5kgLifter]

Where did you get the information? You say you found it.

[Doublehelix]

I did the calculation as well, and it came out several percentage points higher than Doug's calculation.

[backtothegym]

5kg Lifter,

I found it though a google search. I did not post the site just incase we are not allowed. I believe this is a method used by Dave Draper.

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by backtothegym

5kg Lifter,

I found it though a google search. I did not post the site just incase we are not allowed. I believe this is a method used by Dave Draper.

Although I understand your concern about posting the link, because of copyright it's a must...

If you're not sure how to relocate the link (url) just copy and paste the first sentence of the article into google search and it will come up with the link, normally as the first one listed

[backtothegym]

Originally Posted by 5kgLifter

Although I understand your concern about posting the link, because of copyright it's a must...

If you're not sure how to relocate the link (url) just copy and paste the first sentence of the article into google search and it will come up with the link, normally as the first one listed

No problem, here you go.

http://www.davedraper.com/bodyfat-calculation.html

PS, there is a link for an excel sheet that you can just put your measurements in and it will do the calculations for you.

[Tatooed Lifter]

I will have to say I LOVE the number it gave me but it CAN"T be right !!!!!!!!

I figure it most be low by about 14% at least.

[Doublehelix]

Thanks for posting the link.

As we all know, calculations like this, including the one that Doug uses on this site, are only estimations, but can be useful for tracking trends either up or down.

This is the third such calculation that I have found, and all three give quite different results.

Here are some BF% numbers that each of these three methods have produced using some numbers that I provided from a late December reading (the last time calculated my BF%):


backtothegym's Calculation = 26.8%

Doug's Calculation = 23.9%

"Another" Calculation = 20.56%


That is quite a swing between numbers (over 6% between the extremes).

Even though I realize that they are all 3 estimations, 6% variance is a lot when making decisions about when to cut and when to bulk. I guess we all still need to use the mirror!

It is probably best to pick one method, and stick to that as a means of tracking trends.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Doublehelix

It is probably best to pick one method, and stick to that as a means of tracking trends.

Exactly...Or splash out and buy a set of calipers