Forget the common scale. Discover your real composition of lean and fat mass using the scientific US Navy method.
Use a flexible tape measure to fill in the data. Accuracy depends on the quality of your measurements.
Weight on the scale doesn't tell the whole story. Two people with the same weight and height can look and feel completely different depending on their body composition (muscle to fat ratio).
This method estimates body density using equations based on circumferences. While not as precise as a DEXA scan or hydrostatic weighing, it is considered the most reliable home method, with an acceptable margin of error of 3-4% when measurements are taken correctly.
| Category | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Fat | 2-5% | 10-13% |
| Athletes | 6-13% | 14-20% |
| Fitness | 14-17% | 21-24% |
| Acceptable | 18-24% | 25-31% |
| Obesity | 25%+ | 32%+ |