Fat/Muscle Percentages

Other than weight and centimetres, the other measurement you need to keep across is percentage of fat in your body. To measure this, you can use a specialised machine, or you can buy a set of scales that also takes readings of the percentage of fat compared to other things (muscles, bone, water) in your body.

How does it measure this? It sends a small electrical current through your body. Electricity passes through fat much quicker than through bone, muscle and water. The set of scales I have measures everything apart from muscle mass. The average female should have between 20-29% fat, around 7% bone mass and a water content around 45%.

Initially my body fat percentage was 44%. After three weeks of training it is now 37%. By using my weight I can determine that my initial fat weight was:

98kg x 44% = 43.12kgs

From my weight loss, my percentage is 37%, so:

92.6 x 37% = 34.262kg

Therefore 43.12 - 34.262 = 8.858kg of actual fat lost!

Since I have only lost 6.4kgs, this means that I have gained 2.458kg of muscle mass in the period.

This percentage is important to know. If you are 'over weight' according to the scales, but only have 20% fat mass, then you are carrying lean muscle weight over fat weight. No need to go on a diet.