Body fat measurements?

[Gymboree567]

Today at the gym a man approached me and said he saw me getting my body fat measured a previous week and would I mind saying what it was (I'm very open and don't mind that he asked!)
I said it was 30 when I started at the gym but I've lost 9lbs of fat and its now 25, he said no way you must only be around 18%
I've googled images and 25 does seem quite high for me, here's my stats

Height 5ft 7.5
Weight 8stone 3
Bmi 18.3? (Technically underweight)
Waist 24.5 inches
Age 37
I also have visible abs

Does 25 sound too high? I have no idea, and if I am 25% how can I lower my body fat when my doctor told me not to loose weight?! I do lift heavy weights, eat high protein and avoid excessive cardio, just 10 minutes of hiit before a weights session
Thanks in advance!

[MrsMook]

25% is healthy as far as I remember, and certainly not excessive. Women should have a higher fat percentage than men to maintain good health.

I'm 5ft 2, 26-27 inch waist and wear a size 8 top which is slim enough at my height.
For your height and waist, and being able to see abs, you don't need to lose fat for health reasons.

[Gymboree567]

Although I can see my abs, I'm trying to get a more defined six pack
Was mainly wondering if the 25% sounded correct?

[BigGreenOlives]

How many points did they measure? I don't know what your body is like but I weighed more than you and am shorter and my body fat has been anything from 12.5-22%. I know that you can have the same total mm of fat & if you are older you are a higher percentage overall.

[SprogletsMum]

I'm 5ft 10 and 11 stone, my body fat 9% apparently I'm certainly nowhere near thin and have lots of excess skin because I used to be 18stone+.
I take the measurements with a pinch of salt tbh

[BoogieTime]

Visible abs at 37

Have you always been slim?

[Gymboree567]

They took the measurement from 3 points, back of arm, back (shoulder blade area) and tummy, he remarked he could hardly pinch my tummy!
Yes I've always been slim, but have worked hard to stay that way, my heaviest weight was 9.5 stone after DD3

[Genx77]

Mine is also 25%, im 5ft 4, around 9 stone, waist 27, age 38. I train 4 times a week and have a good diet.
Where were your measurements taken? I have the callipers on my stomach, back, and backs of arms, it's pretty reliable. Body fat measurements are by far the best indicator of health and fitness as opposed to the scales.
Sproglet, Olympic athletes aren't even 9%! I think there's been a mistake somewhere. For reference my super fit personal trainer has 18% body fat.

[Gymboree567]

Genx77 thanks for your response, I'm 3.5 inches taller, around 11lbs lighter and only a 24.5 inch waist
Maybe I am lower than 25%
Not that it really matters! I was just wondering,
I'm happy with my figure just trying to reach 6 pack goals!!

[suzannecaravaggio]

dissection is the only 100% reliable method for determining the amount of fat tissue
all other methods infer bodyfat levels using other measurements

[Genx77]

It can depend on so many things gymboree, you may be taller and lighter but carry more fat in certain areas, I'm heavier and shorter but all in proportion so I don't carry extra fat on my bum or thighs/stomach etc, I carry it evenly all over.
You also need to consider the fat you can't see, women carry fat around their uterus but obviously this is something that can't be measured!
I would lay off the hiit training and concentrate instead on the weights, that's the quickest and easiest way to add tone and definition and reduce body fat percentage.

[BigGreenOlives]

They can do 5 points, quite often women have one rogue place where they measure high and with only 3 points that place gains more significance than its due. Sadly I don't have my handbook anymore, I trained with the Cooper Institute in Dallas and used to have the tables so I could calculate using 3 or 5 points within a five year range. I always measured comparatively high on backs of arms & v low on belly. My six pack was at its best when I came back from a week's learning to snowboard when I was 27, luckily I have a photo of it which I show to my daughters from time to time.

[suzannecaravaggio]

skin fold measurements tell you nothing about visceral fat

[Gymboree567]

I did think it can't be that accurate as its only 3 points of reference and everyone stores fat differently

[lljkk]

I thought 25% was average for 18 yr olds in 1986 (last time I had mine done, with proper calipers) so 25% would be skinner now than population average, but actually still not very fit. With BMI ~ 18 I bet yours is (now) closer to 18%, OP.

If you're that into fitness, why not get it measured properly.

[RunnerOnTheRun]

Was it with calipers?

I have mine done regularly. You cannot see a full six pack on a woman until 20% or less (I am under the impression). I am nearer 30% but superfit. I need to cut serious to shift any body fat now (nutrition wise). There is nothing else you or I can do exercise wise to see more six pack, it is all about nutrition now!

[KeyserSophie]

I have 24% body fat (DEXA scan so definitely right), a BMI of 22 and I have visible abs, but I have a very lean trunk and arms and carry fat on my bum and thighs, so my stomach is about 18%, arms are 21% but my legs are closer to 29%. Therefore distribution is very important.