reliable body fat percentage pictures

[synnfusion]

Hi Jordan, there's a million pictures on the internet displaying examples of various body fat percentages. Is there one you think is decently accurate? I'm looking for an accurate comparison for what I see in the mirror.

[Jordan Feigenbaum]

I haven't really looked at them in awhile and one doesn't stand out in my mind as being better or worse than another.

[synnfusion]

Do you think the navy method is useful? I've read several threads in this about navy method but unless I missed it, haven't seen much comment on its accuracy.

[Alexander Dargatz]

I was googling the same thing yesterday (in regard to the TBA skinny novice thread). The problem is that the same BF% can look very different in two people due to many factors:
- muscle mass
- fat distribution
- water retention
- lighting
- skin tone / tan
- posing / flexing
...

So you can't really compare your mirror image to a picture on the internet.

And I think that is a good thing.

[Jordan Feigenbaum]

Do you think the navy method is useful? I've read several threads in this about navy method but unless I missed it, haven't seen much comment on its accuracy.

If objective numbers motivate you, then yes. I don't think it's very well validated compared to DEXA, however- with the Navy method overestimating typically.

[synnfusion]

I'll take that to mean I'm 12 percent body fat instead of 23 then. Thanks!