Split: Body Fat Discussion

[NorthShoreBuck]

I think we have a winner, NJ!

It depends on how and when it was measured.
Calipers suck, you have fat in and around your internal organs calipers don't measure.
I thought the electric impedance method gave the best results.

I had my body fat measured in college with the dunk tank.
They weigh you out of the water.
The set the weight of the water as zero and then, here is the fun and not so scientific part, you exhale all the breath out of your lungs and then submerge.

Your weight in the tank minus the breath is the weight of muscle and bone. You were supposed to be able to determine how much was fat from that. When I was a beanpole running and lifting all the time my body fat was still 12%.

I can't imagine a compettive athlete having a very low number. As NJ alluded, you need it for energy.

Just my $.02.

 

[OilerBuck]

When I was in high school, I was 6' 1, 165 lbs and had 4.2% body fat. I was told by my doctor that it was unhealthy and that it doesn't provide enough protection for my organs because muscles don't absorb a hit or shock as much as fat, but because of my high metabolism combined with weightlifting/conditioning for basketball I couldn't gain any fat. I ate a LOT but just burnt it off faster.

The RECOMMENDED body fat for men is between 12-16% and for women is 20-25%. I believe 6% for men is the minimum before it becomes unhealthy and you cannot adequately protect your organs.

Since I've messed up my knees and have stopped playing ball, I don't workout hardly at all. I would venture to guess I am around 8-10% body fat now.

 

[MistriBuck]

i think Wells' coach was just making a point, it could very well be that he doesn't actually think his body fat is quite that low, and it could be possible that he knows nothing about what has been discussed here...........i mean he did say "he has something like 2% body fat", which is just another way of saying "the dude is seriously ripped", that was the whole point from the get-go, didn't mean to start a debate! :)

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

fat tables are also a function of age... for males:
when you're under 20... under 20% is pretty good...
in your 20s and 30's... in the 20s is very good...
and post 30's.. around 30% is pretty good...
at my age.. under 50% is good... I'm a greek god for the elderly...

 

[BIATCHabutuka]

i won a case of guinness on the marlon kerner body fat percentage.

i bet my friend the IPA a case of guiness that he had 0.65% body fat. the IPA is a workout warrior and said it was impossible. i can't remember where i found the proof but it was on nexis somewhere back in 94 or 95 or 96.

the story was that kerner was training like a madman for a shot in the NFL and was tested by the Bills i believe. anyways they dipped him in the water tank and the computer spit out 0.65% body fat. the Bills officials didn't believe it and called in the manufacturer of the equipment. they checked and calibrated the machine and then kerner was tested again and again he was at 0.65% body fat. doctors then immediately ordered him to start eating lots of ice cream.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

i believe shaq in his magic days what a 6%

 

[HanesOnU]

Joey Graham, Ok State's star bball player has 4% body fat. And he is pretty good!

That second one is amazing. Look at those muscles!
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[gbearbuck]

Keep in mind the machine most gyms use will give a lower reading if you drink a bunch of water the day before you are tested...

I lowered my body fat percent by 1/3 in a month and a half about a year ago... needless to say I started high and ended high (just not as high)... drink water, workout five days a week (three days heavy in cardis sp), and watch what you eat... it's a amazing how quick you will shed fat (now shedding pounds is a different story)...My weight dropped a little but really the muscle put one offset the loss of fat... not too much difference in my weight (the waistline did shrink)...

 

[HanesOnU]

Keep in mind the machine most gyms use will give a lower reading if you drink a bunch of water the day before you are tested...

I lowered my body fat percent by 1/3 in a month and a half about a year ago... needless to say I started high and ended high (just not as high)... drink water, workout five days a week (three days heavy in cardis sp), and watch what you eat... it's a amazing how quick you will shed fat (now shedding pounds is a different story)...My weight dropped a little but really the muscle put one offset the loss of fat... not too much difference in my weight (the waistline did shrink)...

Very very true. I use to work out some, but not a ton. I LOST weight when I quit working out and looked really fat...

and I still do have a little belly!