I'm using a handheld device to check my bodyfat % (I want to know where I stand for my Lean Body Mass) but being aware of how inaccurate the bloody things can be I decided to do it over 3 days and figure out an average.

It is a little annoying as I my LBM seems to be measured from anywhere between 48.1-50.1kg (which I think is decent of my height though unfortunately, or fortunately, I will never get to safely be a lightweight 52kg girl...) and I was hoping the difference would be about 1kg... So accounting for error Im going to guess I am anywhere between 47.5kg-50.5kg LBM. Arg.

Ideally, I would like to get measured in a bodpod or get a DEXA scan but for now... So, I was wondering how other people here estimate their body fat %?

I think eyeballing is a pretty good method assuming you know what your looking at

Are you a female?

Personally, I depend on Tanita Body Fat scale to determine my bodyfat regular, though some bodybuilders here prefer using caliper method (google it) coz it seems to be more accurate that the bodyfat scale..

For me, before I used to scale, I wet on my feet so that it is more accurate to get the readings..but still after posting my picture here, they all know my bodyfat is somewhere around 20% based on their experience which the scale reads at 25%..

I was wondering are you interested in Lean Body Mass (LBM) or bodyfat reading? When you get your bodyfat reading, normally you know your lean body mass too? Including water n bone mass?

Bodpod? DEXA scan? Sorry I dunno about that..Eyeball is also pretty good..mine to share your picture?

Do you mind if I ask why an accurate measurement of BF% is so important to you??

Handheld measuring devices are not accurate, especially for those of athletic build and IIRC they are also less accurate for guesstimation of females, due to (ahem) breasts. Technically a woman with a larger bust may look much better at a higher BF due to the concentration of fat in more aesthetically pleasing locations.

I would say the best way of measurement is the mirror, unless you are going to be stepping on stage, or perhaps competing in a weight-class sport (eg boxing) where you want the maximum LBM-weight ratio.

Use the mirror and the scles to not as a way to approximate BF levels but as a general guide to get the 'look' you desire. Weigh and mirror first thing in the morning, then adjust diet and training routine accordingly.

Good luck.

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Added on October 29, 2012, 2:55 pmDo you mind if I ask why an accurate measurement of BF% is so important to you??

Handheld measuring devices are not accurate, especially for those of athletic build and IIRC they are also less accurate for guesstimation of females, due to (ahem) breasts. Technically a woman with a larger bust may look much better at a higher BF due to the concentration of fat in more aesthetically pleasing locations.

I would say the best way of measurement is the mirror, unless you are going to be stepping on stage, or perhaps competing in a weight-class sport (eg boxing) where you want the maximum LBM-weight ratio.

Use the mirror and the scles to not as a way to approximate BF levels but as a general guide to get the 'look' you desire. Weigh and mirror first thing in the morning, then adjust diet and training routine accordingly.

Good luck.

This post has been edited by joeblows: Oct 29 2012, 02:55 PM

Want to cut while maintain LBM. It would majorly suck to decrease LBM as losing fat Scared of becoming skinny fat even with the weight training. Plus, I want to be in the 'Athletic' body fat range

Ah I see. Damn. I should look into getting calipers maybe Dun want to go doctor just to find out BFat %

Definitely using mirror and tape measure as main indicator, scales suck but it would be nice to see a decreasing trend so can note how many pounds of fat am losing on average every couple of weeks (though water retention still screws that up so a fairly accurate BFat measuring tool would be good).

you can work with what you already have. no need to go out and spend more money because all you need is a baseline from which to monitor the levels you've mentioned and take action to bring those levels either higher or lower.