Body Composition - a taster

As you know, we specialise in improving our clients’ body composition. The most common understanding of body composition improvement is a reduction in body fat and an increase in muscle. This is what almost everyone strives for when they embark on one of our programmes.

As you might imagine, there is a lot more to body composition analysis than those two variables. Our body composition analyser, the Accuniq BC380, produces an impressive array of information to help you understand your body composition and how it relates to the norms. Below I give you a taster of what this machine has to offer and I explain some of the numbers.

First though, I’d just like to say that this machine never ceases to impress me with its accuracy. When I measured myself before my last bodybuilding competition it showed my body fat levels exactly where I expected them to be. Since the competition I have put on a bit of fat and trained less, so I expected to have lost a little muscle. That’s exactly what the report showed me – more fat, less muscle – and to exactly the degree I expected. It showed me that I have lost a little more muscle in my arms than in my legs, which is also what I expected, as I have maintained strength and intensity with my leg training, but less so with my arm training.

So, I am more than satisfied that this machine will enable us to accurately track the progress made by all our customers as they work towards their goals.

Ok, so on to body composition.

Analysis

First of all, please download the BC380 report showing my latest measurements. I have circled 5 areas. As you will see, there are a lot more figures than the ones I highlight, but at least these five should give you a taster. As a client, you would receive a full run down and explanation of everything on your report.

1. Proteins and minerals. Most of the protein figure comes from muscle and most of the minerals figure comes from bone. So these two numbers are a proxy for muscle and bone. You will see that both my numbers are above the norm. That’s because I weight train. Not only does weight training increase muscle, it also strengthens bones, helping you to be resilient to accidents and falls as you get older.
2. Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM). This is the actual mass of your muscles. This number excludes all other proteins in the body and focuses purely on that part of you that you train by exercising. You’d be looking for this number to go up on most programmes.
3. Percentage body fat (PBF). I highlight this because it’s an oft-quoted number and one that most people understand. On almost all programmes you’d expect this number to come down. PBF and SMM are two of the main variables we monitor in all programmes.
4. VFL and VFA. Measures of visceral fat. It is visceral fat more than subcutaneous fat that is a marker for health problems. For almost everyone who is overweight, sedentary and has a poor diet, this number will be elevated. Elevated visceral fat levels sound an alarm bell for potential future health problems.
5. Biological age. This number is derived by taking all the information available, including real age, and deriving an estimate of biological age. It’s an indicator of the health status of your body. I should point out that my real age is 50. This should tell you that the lifestyle I lead, my exercise habits and my nutrition are helping me to stay youthful. If your biological age is above your real age then all is not lost, it can definitely be improved with the right exercise, nutrition and lifestyle.

I hope that gives you a taster. If you have any questions about what you see here, please get in touch. Just email us at hello@lifeforce-fitness.co.uk, or fill in the contact form on the contact page.