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Body Fat Percentage

Body fat percentage is the percentage of your body weight that’s fat. To estimate body fat % based on measurements of subcutaneous fat. A healthy body fat percentage for men is 8 to 17% body fat, and for women it’s 15 to 24%. The best way to measure and track your body fat percentage is to weigh yourself monthly, and take caliper and waist measurements and progress pictures every four weeks.

Procedure

The 3-site Jackson-Pollock skinfold formula is one of the most commonly used because it’s easy, quick, and reliable. You will need to purchase an inexpensive bodyfat caliper (Skinfold Caliper) to proceed. Measurements are taken on the right side of body. Caliber needs to be perpendicular to the site analyzed. The participant must relax the muscle group that is being assessed. When skin fold is pinched, the practitioner should be taking reading at the middle of the pinched skin, not apex or base. Wait 1 to 2 seconds after releasing caliber, record closest 0.5mm. Retake each site in order to obtain accurate readings.

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Body fat % formula 

3-site skinfold (Jackson-Pollock) (Recommended)

Chest

mm

16901101-FAT-male_Chest_medium.png
16911101-FAT-female_Triceps_medium.png

Triceps: Vertical fold at the midpoint of the posterior side of triceps between shoulder and elbow with arm relaxed at the side.

Chest: Diagonal fold, midway between upper armpit and nipple.

Abdomen

mm

16911101-FAT-female_Suprailiac_medium.png
16901101-FAT-male_Abdominal_medium.png

Suprailiac: Diagonal fold parallel and superior to the iliac crest.

Abdomen: Vertical fold, one inch to the right of navel.

Thigh

mm

16901101-FAT-male_Thigh_medium.png
16911101-FAT-female_Thigh_medium.png

Thigh: Midpoint of the anterior side of the upper leg between the patella and top of thigh.

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Lean Body Mass (LBM)

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Fat Mass (FM)

Your Body Fat % is 

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Your Body Fat % Classification is 

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Ideal Body Fat Percentage Chart

Classification
Men
Women
Essential Fat
2 – 5 %
10 – 13 %
Athletes
6 – 13 %
14 – 20 %
Fitness
14 – 17 %
21 – 24 %
Average
18 – 24 %
25 – 31 %
Obese
25 % +
32 % +
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