CHECK YOUR FAT

 

      A number of health risks including diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, hypertension, cirrhosos of the liver, gall bladder, intestinal obstruction, hernia and sleep disorders, have been associated with excess body fat. One of the most common reasons adults begin an exercise program is to reduce body weight. For this reason, here at Mark Harris Personal Training Services, we can help access your body composition in order to help you determine a reasonable body weight goal and to develop a safe and effective exercise program to reach it. Body composition refers to the quality or make of your fat-free mass (bone, muscle and organs) and fat mass (adipose tissue). Determining the relative percentages of fat-free and fat mass can help access body composition. Some of the more common ways to access body composition are bioelectrical impedance, body mass index, skinfold and girth measurements.

Bioelectrical Impedance Bioelectrical impedance is becoming a more popular method of determining body composition because research suggests that the accuracy is higher than skinfolds measurement, which are probably the most popular means accessing body composition. This bioimpedence method is based on the principle that the conductivity of an electrical pulse is greater through lean tissue than through fatty tissue. An imperceptible electrical current is passed through pairs of electrodes and measures to body's resistance to electrical flow and computes body density and body-fat percentage. In the past, this method has proven to be very complicated and costly. Due to recent discoveries in technology, an onset of more easily performed and less costly digital analyzers have come to the forefront for use by the masses. Some of these analyzers uses electrodes in contact with the hands and/or feet. To get a more accurate reading be sure you are well hydrated and not have exercised in atleast six hours before or consumed any alcohol in the past 24 hours prior to taking the test. Note: Bioelectrical impedance can not be used if you have a pace maker or any other electronic device in or on their body. May cause unintended mechanical disturbances or failure in those electronic devices.

Body Mass Index
Another estimate of body composition we use at Mark Harris Personal Training Services is Body Mass Index or BMI. This method is one of the most commonly used. One of our certified trainers will obtain your weight in kilograms and height in meters. We use this information to calulate your Body Mass Index and compare it to established references. Since Body Mass Index uses your total body weight, not estimates of fat and lean mass separately, this method is unable to distinguish between the overfat and the athletic, more muscular body type. It is for this reason that Mark Harris Personal Training Services uses Body Mass Index inconjuction with other body composition assessment.

Skinfold Measurements
Here at Mark Harris Personal Training Services we can offer yet another method of estimating body fat percentage is Skinfold Measurements. It is believed that approximately 50 percent of total body fat lies under the skin. Skinfold Measurements are based on this belief. Measurments are taken at standardized sites, summed and calulated. Standard of error = 3.5 %, therefore we strive to be more correct and use bioelectrical impedence analyzers when ever possible.

Girth Measurement are even another body density assessment offered by Mark Harris Personal Training Services. We use this method in conjunction with other composition evaluations. One of our certified trainers will measure your chest, waist, hips, thigh, calf, ankle, upperarm, and wrist. Girth measurements can prove to be very valuable in fat reduction and strength training results monitoring.

Lean Body Percent = 100 - Fat %
Lean Body Weight = body weight x lean body percent
Desired Lean Percent = 100 - desired fat%
Desired Body Weight = lean body weight divided by (over) desired lean percent

As you can tell here at Mark Harris Personal Training Services, we use a wide array of methods for estimating your body composition to check your fat and lean make-up. Are you ready to find out your body fat? We are here to assist you in meeting your goals in fat reduction and/or muscle growth. Feel free to click on the icons below to find out what other options are available here at Mark Harris Training Services. We look forward to assisting your meet and reach your fitness needs and goals.

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