Body fat and muscle percentage?

[Flaribeau]

I bought some of those analyser scales, which said I’m 21% fat and 30% muscle. I think that’s fairly normal? My BMI is 26 so I need to lose about 7lb.

But my main problem is that I’m enormous. My waist measures 36 inches and my belly is huge. How the heck am I this big when my numbers seem to be normal?

21% is rather lean. The beginnings of an athletic figure.

The healthy BMI range is between 18.5 and 24.9.

Just because 7lb will get you within that range doesn't mean that's the optimal weight for you.

Your waist measurement is large and that is unhealthy so you might need to be more in the middle of your healthy BMI range.

Controling your blood sugars (as per your other post) will help you with becoming healthier.

All these figures are ranges and guides. You have to find what works for you

I go on that thing at the gym. It says I have overly fat arms when I really do not. My arms are by far the slimmest leanest part of me 🤣

It said I was over 50% body fat now it’s 44% after losing 2st. I’m never sure how accurate it is, callipers are better I think

The scales only measure your legs. If you carry your fat round your middle it might not see it. Same with the ones in the gym with the handles: they measure arms and shoulders

Sorry, but my experience of those scales are that they are hugely inaccurate.

21% fat is VERY lean, so either you probably don't need to loose 8lb or the scales are wrong.

Have a search of 'women body fat examples' on Google Images to give you a guide.

My scales under estimate my fat % by around 5 to 6%. They currently say it is 15.9% but using the US army calculator and taking measurements it is more like 22%. My bmi is around 19.

If you look at the pictures here you can get a general idea of what % fat you have
https://www.builtlean.com/body-fat-percentage-men-women/

You need to ignore those scales for body analysis. It’s massively inaccurate, unreliable and known to be. Also the ones in gyms, along with scales, can be recalibrated so bear that in mind.

A good PT could tell fairly accurately by looking at you your % body fat. But at 21% body fat you’d be lean around your mid section.

What’s the best way of ascertaining it? Some kind of scan? Old fashioned callipers?

A DEXA scan @TennisWithDeborah .

I’m awful with numbers but I’m pretty sure 30% is very low. I’m around 60% muscle mass which is a bit higher than normal as I’m naturally very muscly I think, but I’m sure the average is closer to 50%.

actually ignore the above, I just checked online and perhaps I’ve got those % confused 😂

I find the online army/navy etc calculators pretty good where you take measurements. They are obviously not going to be as accurate as a dexa scan but my fat % in them seems to fit with the visuals from the pictures of body fat.

The scales also seem to be internally consistent and mine have constantly measured my fat 5%-6% under where it should be so I just add this on when I used them.

You can’t be 21% body fat with those measurements. I’m 22% body fat, small but slim (ish) and 21.5 bmi. Your muscle is also too low.

use proper ones at a gym - the home ones cannot be trusted. My home scale says I’m 35% body fat whilst the proper one at the gym where you hold the handles says 22%.