If you are going to start weight management program that could be useful for your health, you ought to learn how to measure your body fat. A lot of people use a weighing scale but it can give you exact numbers, that’s why you shouldn’t rely only on this device.

The weighing scale can’t give you the answer whether you are losing fat or your muscle mass, the water or meals you have been taking during the day. Another drawback is you won’t find out whether you are gaining weight or extra muscles which appeared due to the hard workout routine. Heavy meals and beer can also provoke weight gaining.

You will always have different indices of your weight if you use weighing scale.  You can also measure the body fat using other necessary tools which give you more accurate results. These devices have their advantages and disadvantages but they will measure your fat more precisely.

Look at the most popular body weight measurement techniques to preserve successful weight management.

1. Body Mass Index Measurement (BMI )
BMI measurement technique studies your weight and height and shows you whether you gain extra weight or in a good shape.

The formula of your BMI equals kg /m2.

The BMI which is not harmful for your health should be from18 to 25. You are underweight if your number is less than 18, and 25 shows that you have extra weight.

BMI measurement method is not useful for athletes and bodybuilders because due to the heavy muscle mass they won’t get the exact numbers.

2. Waist To Hip Measurement
This technique of body measurement is the most efficient, because it considers the visceral fat which can be in your abdominal and the organs which can be harmful for your health.

If you want to measure the body fat using waist to hip method, take the measurements of your waist at your navel and your hips at the specious point (take the butt cheeks). After that you should divide your waist by your hips. The average number can be 0, 92 or less. If your result is more than 0, 92 it means that you gain extra fat in this part of your body and there is a risk of obesity.

If you have no wish to memorize the formulae and calculate the results by yourself you can purchase special devices like calipers or electronic body fat calculator that will help you measure your body fat more accurately.

With the help of these devices and methods your weight management program will be more valid.