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Measuring BMI/Body Fat percentage at gym

  • 07-08-2008 11:33am
    #1
    Glowing
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,851 ✭✭✭


    Hiya,

    I was just wondering if you feel that knowing your body fat percentage is important when starting a new gym program?

    When I had my last gym induction/health check, it wasn't measured. Either was my weight or BMI. Or lung capacity ....

    Do you think this is essential when starting a training program to keep track of how well you're doing, or just nice to know?

    Thanks!


Comments

  • #2
    bwardrop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 340 ✭✭bwardrop


    If you are just starting out it is really only 'just nice to know'. In my experience, the vast majority of tests in gyms are not carried out in the most technical / proper fashion and the results you get are not particularly accurate.

    Initially, go by how you feel - you should feel fitter / stronger / more healthy in no time. If you stick with it and get a bit more serious then it can be interesting / motivational to get the numbers.

    If you are looking for something to gauge your progress, get out a measuring tape and take a few circumferences (e.g. thigh, hips, bum, waist, chest, upper arms etc). Measure in centimeters, at the greatest circumference, every couple of weeks - in my professional opinion, that is plenty for most beginners.


  • #3
    Degsy
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,397 ✭✭✭✭Degsy


    Also bear in mind that fat comes off at different levels according to the bodypart.Most people will lose fat off the arms and face before they see any reduction in the abdomen.The point is that measuring fat is not a great guide to how much fat you have.The mirror is probably better:pac:


  • #4
    Glowing
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,851 ✭✭✭Glowing


    Degsy wrote: »
    The mirror is probably better:pac:

    I hear ya!

    It is nice to quantify it though, good motivation. Dundrum Gym used to give you a little graph printout every few months to show you how you were improving - changes in bodyfat, resting heartrate etc ... it was cool! :pac:


  • #5
    bwardrop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 340 ✭✭bwardrop


    Glowing wrote: »
    I hear ya!

    It is nice to quantify it though, good motivation. Dundrum Gym used to give you a little graph printout every few months to show you how you were improving - changes in bodyfat, resting heartrate etc ... it was cool! :pac:

    I used to work there.... long before the era of fancy print outs and the like!! :D


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