Measuring Body Fat – Measure Overall Fat Percentage Without Calipers

It is a well known fact that no normal human being can pass up that extra doughnut, french fries, and chocolate cake, when confronted with it. That is the reason why, it is but natural that we find such external layers of fat on our waist and thighs. That is why it is absolutely essential that we know all about the method for measuring body fat in a systematic manner.

So when does one know that they need to start measuring body fat? All he has to do is stand in front of the mirror and look at his toes. If he cannot see them, there is some extra fat, which needs to be shed fast, and that does not mean the extra tissue on the bust. So if you are looking for the easiest way in which you can get back that hourglass or washboard stomach shape, with the ensuing appreciation value, you would know all about the importance of knowing how to measure body to fat in a proper manner and getting rid of all those extra pounds.

Body mass index is the measure, which is going to help you in measuring body fat. A healthy body mass index is between 15 to 20% depending on your gender. Weigh yourself and note down the measurement in pounds. After that, measure your height, standing in bare feet. Your body mass index is going to be calculated by dividing the weight with your height squared. If that is too much of a problem, just go to the nearest surgery, chemist shop, and even websites, where you are going to have charts telling you all about your body mass index, and what it should be for a healthy person of your proportions and height.

So how do you go about in measuring body fat index? The idea is to measure the circumference of your calves, thighs, hips, waist, forearm and wrist. What you need for this measuring is a pair of electronic or digital scales, and a measuring tape. Some people can also use calipers. To calculate the waist to hip ratio, you measure your waist at the now or less point and the hips at the widest points. A pear shaped body is ideal. The WHR ratio should be less than.8 for women and.95 for men. Make sure that you do not drink any liquids about 2 to 3 hours before you do the measuring and do empty out your bladder.

Now, looking at body to fat ratio, healthy men should have 12 to 18 % of body to fat and healthy women should have 19 to 25%. Overweight men are going to have more than 18% and overweight women are going to have more than 25% body fat, dangerously obese men are having more than 23% body fat and women are having more than 30% body fat. This measurement can help you lose body fat in a proper manner through exercise and dieting. Measuring body fat is just to give you an estimate of how much fat needs to be taken off to keep your body functioning properly and healthily.