How Do You Measure Body Fat? 5 Methods to Try

Did you know that percentage of body fat is directly related to your risk of developing obesity-related afflictions such as heart disease and strokes? The higher the body fat percentage, the more likely you are to develop dangerous health issues.

Therefore, it is important to keep tabs on body fat in the effort to create or maintain a healthy lifestyle. But how do you measure body fat?

It’s easy! All you have to do is consider a few of the methods that can be used for body fat measuring and choose the one that’s right for you.

We have compiled a list of five ways to find your body fat percentage, so read on.

Body Fat Scale

Certain bathroom scales can measure your body fat percentage. You input your height, weight, and gender and step on the scale. It will send an electrical current (that you can’t feel) up one leg and down the other.

This is an easy way to determine your body fat percentage, and this smart scale review is the perfect example of how it works and what’s so great about it.

Skinfold Caliper

Capilers are inexpensive and easy to buy online. They are used to measure distance. But how do you measure body fat with a caliper?

All you need to do is pinch your skin, and use the caliper to measure the distance around the pinched skin. The number you see corresponds to a body fat percentage. You can determine the percentage by consulting a skinfold calculator online.

We recommend performing this measurement on three different parts of your body and taking the measurement more than once to ensure the most accurate reading possible.

Body Circumference 

Use a soft tape measure to measure the circumference of a few key body parts; be sure not to squeeze the skin. For women, measure the hips, neck, and waist. Men should measure the neck and waist.

In concert with age and height, these measurements will allow you to determine body fat percentage. Simply search for a body fat calculator and input these values. Keep in mind though that body types differ, so this tends not to be the most accurate body fat measurement; it will, however, give you a good idea of your body fat percentage.

Related: What Are the Essential Nutrients That Your Body Needs?

Hydrostatic Weight

Hydrodensitometry is one of the most accurate ways to calculate body fat. To do this test, you will need to go to a facility that performs this type of test.

It involves sitting in a chair and being submerged in water. Your weight will be recorded while you are under the water. That number will be used by the experts to calculate your body fat percentage.

Bod Pod

Air displacement plethysmography or the bod pod uses a similar method to the hydrostatic weight measurement. The bod pod uses air instead of water to measure body fat.

You will go inside an egg-shaped contraption, and the air pressure will change to determine your body fat percentage.

How Do You Measure Body Fat When There Are So Many Options? 

So let’s get this straight: How do you measure body fat? There are many great methods for measuring body fat, and the one you choose is a personal decision. It depends on how accurate of a reading you are looking for and how much money you are willing to spend.

Now that you know about the different methods available, it’s time to start measuring your body, so you can stay as healthy as possible. For more health tips and information, be sure to check out our blog.