More Accurate BMI

[lordtariel]

I've noticed a lot of Body Mass Index Calculators out there on the web. Usually, they ask for your height and weight and spit out a number. Since I've started Karate four months ago, I've lost about 3 inches from my waistline, but my weight hasn't changed a single pound. The results say I'm borderline obeese, and I know that's not true anymore. Is there a calculator out there that takes something other than just height into consideration? Are the more percise tests you can get at a doctors office very expensive?

[UseoForce]

Body fat analysis.

You've probably lost some fat and gained muscle.

[Blackbeltblonde]

Online ones are crap. The best thing you can do is fine an electronic one, usually health places have them, or gyms.

(Congrats on the weightloss of fat though!)

~BBB

[JWLuiza]

Congratulations on your fat loss! BMI does not work for athletic individuals because it does not account for muscle vs. fat content. As suggested above, a body fat analysis would be more productive.

[UseoForce]

Electric ones are crap, IMO, unless you use them over a period of time, maintain consistent hrdration, etc.

I have a friend who is an avid swimmer and lean as can be. It told him he had 19% bodyfat. Bull.

[Aodhan]

I've noticed a lot of Body Mass Index Calculators out there on the web. Usually, they ask for your height and weight and spit out a number. Since I've started Karate four months ago, I've lost about 3 inches from my waistline, but my weight hasn't changed a single pound. The results say I'm borderline obeese, and I know that's not true anymore. Is there a calculator out there that takes something other than just height into consideration? Are the more percise tests you can get at a doctors office very expensive?

Most calculators and electronic measurements aren't worth much at all. Most electronic ones have a +/- percentage rate of 5-8%, so if it measures you at 15%, you could be as low as 7, or as high as 23%. The BMI calculators on the web, etc. don't consider the weight of muscle vs. fat. I'm 5'11, 182 lbs, around 9% BF, and it tells me that I am a shade on the obese side. Yea, right.

One of the best easily available methods is the skin caliper test, done by someone that has been trained in how to do the pinch, and use at least a seven site pinch analysis.

The absolute best is underwater weighing, although some people have problems with being underwater and blowing out all the air they can. These usually cost about $30-50 US depending on where you get them done, although some larger universities may have them available for free as part of classwork for their students, etc.

Aodhan