I just had my bodyfat measured and I was told it is 25%. I don't know if that is good or bad. I've seen various posts on this site with people talking about getting down to 18%, but in my web search, I found sites that said for a 39 year old woman, 25% is good. Can you enlighten me?
What is a healthy body fat %?
- Thread starter gym_mom
- Start date
I don't hear health professionals talk much about body fat percentage anymore. Instead they prefer you have a healthy BMI which you can easily calculate by using one of the calculators on the internet-just type in BMI calculator and one should pop up for you.
Angie
Monroe, WI
Angie
Monroe, WI
BMI isn't always that accurate. If you have high muscle mass, it will make your BMI look as if you are overweight or obese. BMI, taken into account with actually looking at a patient, can determine fitness.
IMO as a medical student, I only use BMI for people who are obviously overweight so that I can give them an actual calculation showing them how overweight (usually obese) they are in an effort to jumpstart their weight loss.
IMO as a medical student, I only use BMI for people who are obviously overweight so that I can give them an actual calculation showing them how overweight (usually obese) they are in an effort to jumpstart their weight loss.
shortsarah
Cathlete
Just a thought...
When I was a gymnast I got my body fat taken under water...which at the time was accurate. I had a 8% body fat but on the BMI I was over weight. I am very much built like Mary Lue Retton with major leg muscles. I would look at how you are built when you are looking at the BMI. Just a thought
Sarah
When I was a gymnast I got my body fat taken under water...which at the time was accurate. I had a 8% body fat but on the BMI I was over weight. I am very much built like Mary Lue Retton with major leg muscles. I would look at how you are built when you are looking at the BMI. Just a thought
Sarah
Here's what the American Council on Exercise lists for ranges of body fat percentages for women. 25% is on the low end of the acceptable range.
Essential fat 10-12%
Athletes 14-20%
Fitness 21-24%
Acceptable 25-31%
Obese 32% plus
Hope this helps.
ETA: Here's an article on WebMD regarding body fat % vs. BMI.
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/54/61409.htm
Essential fat 10-12%
Athletes 14-20%
Fitness 21-24%
Acceptable 25-31%
Obese 32% plus
Hope this helps.
ETA: Here's an article on WebMD regarding body fat % vs. BMI.
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/54/61409.htm
Gayle - Thanks so much for posting that link. That was really informative. There is so much info available on the internet, and I sometimes wonder how much is accurate. But I would expect a source like the Amer Council for Exercise should be a reliable one.
Now I can make a determination of how to use that 25%.
Now I can make a determination of how to use that 25%.
A personal trainer that was recommended by my physical therapist came to my house. She coordinates the classes for three of the Bally's in the region. She used some machine that I just had to hold. She told me not to work out or eat for three to four hours before she came over. I'm sure any personal trainer at any local gym could do it for you.
The inital thought was that I would work with her to help me achieve my goals, but after talking for about an hour, she said I didn't need her help. In reality, I just needed someone to look at my personal situation and reassure me that I was on the right track.
The inital thought was that I would work with her to help me achieve my goals, but after talking for about an hour, she said I didn't need her help. In reality, I just needed someone to look at my personal situation and reassure me that I was on the right track.