23% bodyfat!? Wtf?

[tallnskinny]

hi, i recently joined a gym , and was required to do a "fit test". everything was going fine until my BF was checked. the guy put electrodes on my right hand/foot and enterd my hieght/weight on the comp, which is 6 '1 180 pounds, my body fat came out as 23.4% which means i have like 40 pounds of fat on me.. my jaw nearly hit the floor, it almosts seesm impossibe .. i mean the pants i wear are 32" and i have to wear them on my hips casue my waist isnt wide enough..and my lifts are fairly good too: bench 250
squat: 345 (smith to parralel)\
row: 220
and im only 16..training for one year

anyway your thoughts on this would be appreciated

 

[scruples]

smith squat?? hahaha

 

[tallnskinny]

hEY! i happen to like the old smith machine lol .

 

[JOKER47]

Go find a gym that tests for BF% a different way. Like calipers for instance. In other words, get a second opinion.

FWIW,
Joker

 

[lemur]

most BF results are not accurate... the only thing I would ever use them for is mesuring whether or not I have gained or lost.

smith machine squats are probably the most half assed substitute for real squats I have ever seen.

 

[gettinlarger]

Don't ... squat ... ON A SMITH MACHINE!!

 

[bignate73]

bioelectrical impedence can be thrown off very easily if a particular protocol isnt followed. many of the factors have nothing to do with setup of the equipment either. were you asked questions or told not to exercise, consume alcohol, caffeine etc?

have your bf done with calipers for a more realistic result.

 

[Bong Hog]

Creatine makes your body hold more water, doesn't it? Wouldn't that cause a higher than normal reading?

 

[b fold the truth]

Would it matter if it said that you were 65% bodyfat...if you LOOKED amazing?

B True

 

[Aussie Juga naught]

dont worry about it

 

[brooklynboy]

How much water did you drink on that day? If you are over hydrated it will throw off you bf% you need to get your hand on some calipers and test yourself. THey are off by 5% but use this as your satring point. I don't care what anyone says there is only one true way to get your actuall Bf% and that is disection and I really don't think this is something you want to go thru. Ask when the alst time the bioimepdence machine was calibarted.

Also there is nothing wrong with Smith squats if you are worried about injuring yourself. I have always used both in my workout but I do think you get more out of free weight squats. I replaced them with smith after a back injury (not working out related) untill I knew my back was 100% then I went back to the squat rack. Once I made the change I saw a huge difference in my legs put on 3/4'' in three weeks and strengt went up 150 pounds in the same time. Just my two cents