The mainstream folks often point to the BMI table as a way to calibrate bodyfat. The BMI doesn’t factor in muscle, frame, or how you distrubute your fat. A 250 lb ripped pro-bodybuilder is “obese” according to the BMI scale.

Bodybuilders instead use bf% as a way to accurately measure their bodyfat. 15% is the average bodyfat of most males. Over 20% is considered overweight. Everyone will store their fat differently for a given bodyfat %. Around 12% most will start to see good ab definition when flexing their abdomen.

Most accurate bodyfat % measure?

There are many gadgets and fancy methods to measure bf%.

Hydrostatic weighing: Also known as the water test. You will be completely submerged in the water and breath out all your air. It takes about 4 to 5 attempts.

Pros: The most accurate test of your true bodyfat percent.
Cons: Not widely available, expensive.

BodPomTM: This measures your body density like Hydrostatic weighing. It however is not underwater, but instead in a air chamber.

Pros: Almost as accurate as hydrostatic weighing.
Cons: Equipment is even more harder to find than hydrostatic.

BIA: BIA (Bioelectrical impedance analysis). This is the method many common machines use such as the TanitaTM and OmronTM. It measures by passing a painless electrical current through your bodyfat.

Pros: Cheaper than the more technical options.
Cons: Less accurate.

Fat Caliper: You will use a fat caliper to measure the thickness of the subcutaneous fat. Then you will add up the measurements and calculate your bodyfat %.

Pros: Cheap.
Cons: Won’t be able to measure all areas yourself. Not very accurate to your true bodyfat %. Takes time to learn consistency in measuring.