I just got scared!

Triathlon Forum
1

Hi all…from damp and dismal Birmingham UK.

Please excuse the infrequency of my posts but I’m one of those that prefers to read and only contribute every now and again…but…

I have a question, last year when I was traing for IM Lanzarotte (which I’m not doing now due to an inguinal hernia) I had some stats done at the Bio/Phys dept at the Uni, for my age, weight and height these were ok ish but could do with some improvement which I set about working on. See table below.

Measure

Score

Height (cm)

179.2

Weigh (kg)

73.11

Body Mass Index

20.28

Maximal Oxygen Uptake (ml/min)

4416

Maximal Oxygen Uptake (ml/kg/min)

58.75

Maximal Heart Rate (beats/min)

191

Maximal Power Output (Watts)

285

Maximal Power Output (W/kg)

3.9

Now…today in the office some reps from the local health clup came in and were doing some freeby body composition analysis to scare my fat and sloth like coleagues into joining their over priced posing club. Being the cheeky sort that I am I trundled down to reception and had an analysis done. My BMI has gone up to 23.6 where as my weight is exactly the same WHAT THE FREAKING HELL has happened to my BMI in the course of a year…or should I take some of this result with a pinch of salt and carry on training knowing that I’m of above average fitness.

The only area where I know that there has been some fat retention is where my scar is from my hernia, on my groin, where I appear have gained and am unable to lose a pad of fat.

2

How were they measuring your fat comp? Were they using calipers?

The caliper method can vary quite a bit in accuracy depending on exactly how it’s done, where the measurements are taken, and who’s taking the measurements. I’d go back to the place where you had the first testing done for a more accurate comparison.

3

Nothing exists unless we see pictures. PLEASE JUST F!#@*ING KIDDING. I’d keep that pad on your groin to yourself!

4

Call me a cynic, but I wonder if the health clubs guys’ caliper was “calibrated” to overestimate BMIs… better business that way

5

I thought your BMI was calculated based only on height and weight (not fat percentage), which is why it’s considered to be of dubious value, especially for athletes.

6

Your BMI is 22.77 (73.11 / (1.792*1.792).

Bodyfat fluctuates, and except for hydrodensitometry weighing (underwater weighing) it is hardly possible to get an accurate number.

7

BMI is a joke - y’all can get yours at this link from a client of mines site.

All they want is height and weiglt…muscle mass? That is no matter. I am almost “Overweight” - LOL

http://www.asordoc.com/bariatric.html

8

BMI is just a smarter height/weight chart. Don’t worry about it. As for gym’s and body fat analysis, when I renewed my gym membership they wanted to get my stats so they could try and convince me to buy training sessions. It was ultimately easier to give in and let them take the measurements. They have the same calipers at the gym that I have at home. would you believe I’m around 8% at home but I’m 18% at the gym!!! I also weigh almost 10 lbs more when I am at the gym!

Then came the questions:
Gym: How many hours per week do you exercise?
Me: 20
G: No, hours per week
Me: 20
G: Gives me a disbelieving look.
G: How much weight do you want to lose?
Me: None.
G: Gives me a disbelieving look, as if I were too embarrased to admit how overweight I am ('I’m 6’1" and 165 lbs.)