Have you ever wondered what your body fat percentage is? Or have you been working hard at the gym and want to know how much muscle you’ve built? Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just concerned about your health, it can be incredibly helpful to know the amount of fat, muscle, water, and minerals you have in your body so that you can make the best decisions about your diet and exercise program.

AFAC gym has the perfect solution for you. We are the only facility in the Thornton, CO, area that has an InBody 770 Body Composition and Body Water Analyzer. In a few minutes, this device can measure your fat mass, muscle mass, and much more to give you a comprehensive analysis of your entire body. Both members and non-members of our Thornton gym can take advantage of InBody 770’s exclusive metrics. Read this blog to learn more!

How Do I Get an InBody 770 Assessment at AFAC Gym?

AFAC gym makes it incredibly easy for members and non-members alike to take advantage of InBody’s fast, easy, and non-invasive body composition testing. InBody tests are FREE to members of AFAC gym, and non-members can get tested for $25.00 per session. Simply ask a member of our team at the front desk for assistance.

What Happens at My InBody 770 Test at AFAC Gym?

InBody 770 testing at AFAC gym is similar to stepping on a scale, but provides you with far more information than how many pounds you weigh. This fast, non-invasive, and accurate body composition analysis delivers a detailed breakdown of your weight in terms of water, fat, bone, and muscle. Your comprehensive yet easy-to-read measurements will display on a sheet in about a minute or two. Unlike other body composition tests, InBody 770 does not involve being pinched or dunked in water. You’ll get results you can trust so that you can take action to reach your fitness goals.

Here is a general guide on the InBody 770 testing process at AFAC gym:

1. First, you’ll remove your shoes, socks, and any heavy accessories like jewelry, watches, and coats.
2. Then, you’ll wipe down your feet to increase your body’s conductivity.
3. Next, you’ll step onto the InBody 770 device and align your feet with the electrodes. Your weight will be automatically measured.
4. A member of the AFAC team will help enter your height and age into the InBody 770.
5. Then, we’ll show you how to grab the handles on the InBody 770 and place your thumbs on the electrodes.
6. Next, we’ll assist you as you get into the proper position on the InBody 770, with your arms straight and your hands holding the handles away from your body at a 45-degree angle.
7. You’ll maintain that testing posture until the test is completed.
8. After a minute or two, your InBody 770 test results will print out so that you can review them with a member of our team and take the printout with you for your records.

What Is Body Composition and Why Is it Important?

Body composition is a term used in the health and fitness world. It refers to the amount of fat, muscle, bone, water, and minerals in your body. Doctors and other health professionals use body composition measurements to determine a person’s level of health. In terms of fitness, weightlifters and fitness models measure body fat and muscle percentages to ensure they’ll be at peak performance.

What Is a Body Mass Index?

For decades, health professionals have used something called Body Mass Index, or BMI, to determine a person’s weight status. BMI measures the ratio of your weight to your height. There is a chart that defines the ranges of healthy and unhealthy BMI numbers, but it’s not an especially accurate tool to tell you whether you’re healthy or not.

BMI does have its uses, though. In most cases, a BMI of more than 30 does indicate obesity and a higher body fat percentage. This could put you at risk for health problems like type 2 diabetes, stroke, osteoarthritis, and high blood pressure.

It is possible, however, for a very muscular and healthy person to have a BMI of 30 or more. Likewise, a person who has healthy BMI numbers could have too much fat in their bodies. Someone who is the exact same height and weight as you could have more muscle and less body fat, or vice versa. And, if you lose weight, BMI won’t tell you if you’ve lost fat tissue, muscle tissue, or both.

Therefore, a scale and BMI won’t give you many details to help you tailor your fitness plan, but the InBody 770 can. Healthier body composition is generally defined as having less fat and more muscle mass. Too much body fat can increase your risks of health problems like cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and others. Too little body fat, however, can also cause serious health problems, so it’s never safe to assume that less body fat is always better.

What Is Body Fat and Why Is it Important?

Your body is made up of water, fat, protein, and minerals. When discussing body fat, it’s important to understand that there are two types of fat in your body — essential fat and stored fat.

• Essential fat — Also known as non-fat mass, essential fat exists in your bones, liver, intestines, kidneys, lungs, and muscles. This fat is required for your body to function normally. It makes sure you have enough energy reserves and keeps bodily processes like metabolism, growth, and immune systems running smoothly. This fat also plays an important role in a woman’s reproductive abilities.
• Stored fat — Also known as fat mass, this fat is used as an energy source for your body. It surrounds your organs and is located just under your skin. It also helps to insulate and cushion your body. Having too much stored fat can be harmful to your health because it can lead to chronic diseases and conditions like heart failure, fatigue, diabetes, cancer, and obesity.

What Is a Healthy Body Fat Percentage?

There is some debate on the exact percentages of body fat that are considered healthy, and those numbers also differ depending on whether you’re a male or female and what your fitness goals are. The following list should give you a better idea of body fat percentage ranges and what they mean.

• Obese — More than 25% body fat in men and more than 32% body fat in women. Men and women in this category will have excess fat present in the entire body, an increased risk of certain diseases, and lower energy levels.
• Overfat — 20-25% in men and 28-32% in women. Men and women in this category could be overweight, or they might have a normal weight but too much body fat. This is also known as “skinny fat” or sarcopenic obesity. People in this group are also at higher risk of certain diseases and lower energy levels, but they might not realize it because visually, they could look like they’re at a healthy weight.
• Average fitness — 15-20% in men and 23-28% in women. Both men and women in this category will have some muscular definition but it will take on a softer appearance. They usually enjoy high energy levels, good overall health, and better sleep. They are at less risk of health issues that are caused by excess body fat.
• Athletic fitness — 10-15% in men and 18-23% in women. Men and women in this category have a classic summer body look. They are muscular, lean, and fit. They have little fat to pinch and muscle definition is obvious in their arms, shoulders, and abs. Besides their fit appearance, individuals in this category enjoy excellent health and energy levels.
• Exceptional fitness/bodybuilder range – 3-10% in men and 12-18% in women. This category typically includes fitness models and bodybuilding competitors. Their muscle definition is high, and they have very little body fat. This is a very difficult body composition to maintain over time, and could lead to decreases in physical performance, reduced immune system function, and a greater risk of heart disease and liver dysfunction. Even though people in this range have an impressive physical appearance, this is not an ideal body composition unless you are a bodybuilder or fitness model during the competitive season.

Going Beyond Body Fat Percentage

While many people focus on body fat percentages, and it can be a useful metric, relying on it alone will not improve your overall fitness level. Measuring your bone, water, and muscle — in addition to your fat — with InBody 770 will help you identify areas to work on to improve your overall health and wellness. Consider a few of the benefits of an InBody 770 body composition report:

• It helps you focus on fat loss, not just weight loss. Your weight might be going down into a healthy range, but if you only focus on losing weight, you may end up losing muscle mass and sabotage your efforts. By tracking your muscle and fat tissue with the InBody 770, you can determine what your weight loss really means and whether you’ve increased your muscle mass while reducing body fat.
• It helps you track muscle and bone mass, which is important for many reasons beyond bodybuilding. Having sufficient muscle and bone mass helps to bolster your immune system, support good posture, enhance your mobility, and prevent frailty, accidents, and injuries as you age.
• It monitors the amount of water you have inside and outside your cells. If the InBody 770 reports an increase in water outside your cells (known as extracellular water), it could be due to inflammation caused by overtraining.
• It analyzes your weight, muscle mass, and body fat mass. This gives you a better understanding of how your muscle and fat percentages compare to the healthy average range for your height and sex so you can make lifestyle changes to get it where you want it to be. This is a favorite InBody 770 output for many gym members.
• It helps you identify and correct muscle imbalances. The InBody 770 can show muscle imbalances between your right and left arms and/or legs. It can also identify an underdeveloped upper or lower body. These imbalances can happen for a variety of reasons. Being aware of imbalances can help you optimize your strength training program to correct them.
• It keeps a history of your body composition over time. With the InBody 770 body composition history feature, you can easily spot trends and keep track of your progress over time. This helps you maximize your workout routine and diet to get the results you desire.

Learn More About Your Body With InBody 770 at AFAC Gym

InBody devices are trusted by thousands of health and fitness professionals around the world to provide accurate and precise results, and now you can take advantage of this state-of-the-art technology at AFAC gym, the only location in the Thornton, Colorado, area with an InBody 770 machine.

At AFAC gym, we’re here to support you and help you reach your fitness goals from the inside out. To learn more about how to receive a body composition assessment, please ask a member of our team for assistance. We’ll be happy to help you with your InBody test and show you why we’re the best gym in Thornton, Colorado. You can also contact our gym owner, Susan, at 720-849-0245 or susan@adventurefitness.club for assistance.

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