Scientists and fitness experts have developed several empirical formulas which can be used to estimate a persons body fat percentage using a tape measure in lieu of directly measuring it. After measuring yourself use the us navy method to calculate your body fat percentage.
Skinfold Body Fat Caliper Set With Mass Measuring Tape Tester
Body fat measurement with tape. It may be helpful to have a friend help you measure yourself especially for your height. Do not get a digital tape measure unless you want to torture yourself. Try getting that thing around your waist one time and youll be ready to smash it with a hammer undoubtedly the worst invention in the storied history of body tape measuring. Everyone needs a certain amount of body fat to store energy and maintain normal body functioning but excess amounts can be a sign of poor fitness. Although not as accurate as using skinfold measurements or electrical impedance measuring waist neck and for women hip circumferences provides an inexpensive alternative. The result is close to the true value for most people but.
This metric is commonly used to measure obesity because it separates weight into fat and lean mass. An easy and consistent way to measure body fat uses a tape measure and a scale. Before you measure your body fat using the us navy method measure your height waist neck and hips with a tape measure. Percent body fat measures the amount of your body weight that includes fatty deposits. A certain level of body fat is healthy and necessary because it provides insulation. Even though these methods arent as accurate as a water displacement test or the bod pod they are still a good estimate of body fat percentage.
Navy developed a quick way to estimate body fat percentage with a tape measure. A basic way to measure body fat percentage is by using a soft tape measure like the kind youd use for sewing to record measurements of different parts of the body. You can get one for less than 10 and part of a package when you get your body fat caliper see the skinfold measurements page. How to measure body fat using a tape measure.