BODY COMPOSITION

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Body composition is an essential measure of health and fitness for both athletes and the general population.

For sportsmen and women, there is nothing more detrimental than carrying dead weight.

If you are considering a weight loss program, accurately assessing your body fat percentage is THE most important measurement you can take. In fact…

Even if you wanted to gain weight simply measuring your body mass is not enough. Some athletes would fall into the obese category of height/weight tables despite having very little body fat!

And what about aging? There is no question that successful aging is largely in our own hands. Assess your body composition regularly and you don’t have to succumb to one of the “normal” and detrimental effects of growing old.

So what is the best method for assessing body composition? What is your ideal body fat percentage? Which athletes typically have the highest and lowest levels of body fat?

The articles in this section will help you assess your own body composition.


Body Composition Articles

Body Fat Percentage – An Overview
Who should measure their body fat percentage and why? What is your “ideal” percent body fat?

Calculating Body Composition
If you have your body fat percentage measured chances are one of these 6 methods will be used. Which are the best… and the worst?

A Guide to Body Fat Scales
Until recently, accurately measuring your own body composition in the comfort of your own home was difficult. Do body fat scales offer the solution…

A Guide to Body Fat Calipers
Are you a health and fitness professional? Body fat calipers are an essential tool in your bag. Make sure you get the most out of them.

Calculating BMI (Body Mass Index)
How to calculate body mass index and some of the shortcomings of this popular assessment tool…

BMI Chart
Quickly determine your body mass index with this simple to use bmi chart…

Free BMI Calculator
Determine your body mass index even more quickly with this simple to use bmi calculator…

Calorie Calculator
If you want to estimate your caloric needs you can use this calculator, which simply uses your age, weight and an approximate overall level of activity…

Basal Metabolism Calculator
The following calculator uses the Harris-Benedict equation to estimate your basal metabolism (the amount of calories you consume before factoring in activity)…

Activity Calorie Calculator
This activity calorie calculator gives you a rough idea how many calories each type of exercise burns over a set period of time…

Waist To Hip Ratio Risk Calculator
Your hip to waist ratio helps to identify your fat distribution.  It’s believed that people who store more fat towards their abdomen and chest area (known as ‘apple’ shaped) are at greater risk from lifestyle-related diseases…