Body fat percentage is crucial in determining whether you need to lose weight. The percentage of body fat you carry can make a huge difference to your health as well as to your body shape. Skinfold measurements offer a way for you to determine whether your body fat percentage is at an acceptable level, as well as help you monitor your body fat percentage if you are losing weight through diet and fitness.

Skinfold Measuring – Fat Matters

Our bodies are moulded by how much body fat they have – muscle is more compact than fat, and so the person who exercises and invests in their fitness will have less body fat than the person who does no exercise and builds no muscle. Skinfold measuring will tell you if your ratio of body fat is too high and putting you at risk. High body fat is linked to serious diseases and health risks, and yet the British Nutrition Foundation estimate that 63% of men and 54% of women in England have a BMI (body mass index) of more than 25, making them overweight or obese. A skinfold measuring device is one way of tracking your own body fat, giving you clear indicators of how much fat you need to lose, acting as an incentive to those who are on a fitness training programme.

Skinfold Devices – How They Work

Heart disease is one of the biggest killers in the UK, and as more people quit smoking, weight and obesity have now become the leading factors in triggering heart disease. A skinfold measuring device will tell you if you are putting yourself at risk. As well as heart disease, high body fat is directly linked to diabetes, many cancers and gallstones. Measuring changes in your body fat percentage with a skinfold device, rather than just weighing yourself, is motivational for dieters and for those working to get fit.

Previously, body fat measurements were undertaken by professional nutritionists and doctors, but now it's possible to buy your own skinfold measuring device to monitor your progress at home. Skinfold devices use callipers to pinch specific parts of the body, pulling the fat away from your muscle and bones, the callipers then gauges the thickness of that pinch.

Hip-Waist Ratio and the Obesity Risk

Obesity is fast becoming the biggest killer in the Western world, with more people obese today than ever before. It's an issue that has become a public health concern as the government launched its recent healthy living campaign. You can determine whether you are at risk of obesity by working out your body mass index, which should be between 20-25. Above 25, you are overweight, above 30, obese. Although you can calculate your BMI using a simple formula of dividing your height and weight, you'll need a skinfold device to measure your body fat. If you have a lot of fat on your waist this is a strong indicator that you are at risk of obesity related diseases. By measuring your waist to hip ratio this will give you an indicator of whether you need to take action, invest in a Skinfold device and start a fitness and healthy living regime. You can work out this ratio by measuring your waist and hips and dividing your waist measurement by your hip measurement, if your ratio is 0.94 or above (for men) you are at risk, if it is 0.82 (for women) you need to take action.

Buy Skinfold Equipment at HaB Direct Today

HaB Direct believes health and fitness go hand-in-hand, selecting quality home fitness equipment and wellness products, such as Skinfold Callipers which support active people in their goal for lifelong health. To find out more about the fitness equipment available from HaB Direct just give us a call on 01926 816100 or send us an email on sales@habdirect.co.uk.

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