How to Understand What Your Body Fat Percentage Means

Most people know their weight, but very few understand what their body fat percentage actually means. Weight alone doesn’t tell you how much of your body is fat, muscle, or bone. That’s why two people who weigh the same can look completely different in the mirror.

At Kalos, we use DEXA Scan technology to measure body fat percentage with precision, helping you understand what your numbers mean, what’s healthy for you, and how to improve them.

What Body Fat Percentage Really Measures

Your body fat percentage represents the proportion of your total body weight that is fat mass versus everything else (muscle, bone, and water).

For example:

• A person who weighs 160 lbs with 20% body fat carries 32 lbs of fat and 128 lbs of lean tissue.
• Two people can have identical weights but very different compositions depending on muscle and fat distribution.

Why Tracking Body Fat Percentage Matters

1. It Tells the Full Story of Progress

The scale can’t distinguish between muscle gain and fat loss. You might weigh the same but look significantly leaner with lower body fat.

2. It Predicts Health Risks

High body fat, especially visceral fat around organs, increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic disorders.

3. It Helps Optimize Training and Nutrition

Knowing your body fat percentage helps tailor calorie and protein targets more accurately.

4. It Keeps Motivation High

Even if your weight stalls, a lower fat percentage proves your efforts are paying off.

How DEXA Scans Measure Body Fat More Accurately

A DEXA Scan breaks your body down into three main components:

• Fat mass: Both subcutaneous (under the skin) and visceral (around organs).
• Lean mass: Muscle and other non-fat tissues.
• Bone density: A key indicator of structural health.

This makes it far more accurate than calipers, handheld devices, or smart scales, which often fluctuate based on hydration or time of day.

Real-World Example

A 34-year-old client at Kalos had been training for six months and felt frustrated that the scale hadn’t moved. Their DEXA scan revealed that they had lost 6 lbs of fat while gaining 5 lbs of lean mass, dropping from 27% to 21% body fat. Once they saw the data, their motivation skyrocketed.

How to Use Your Body Fat Percentage Data

• Establish a baseline with an initial DEXA scan.
• Set realistic goals based on your starting point and fitness level.
• Reassess regularly to confirm whether fat loss or muscle growth is occurring.
• Adjust training and nutrition based on your trends, not just how you feel.

The Power of Knowing Your Numbers

Understanding your body fat percentage helps you take control of your fitness journey with precision and confidence. With DEXA Scan, you can go beyond the scale and see the real changes happening inside your body — helping you train smarter, eat better, and stay motivated long term.

Book Your DEXA Scan with Kalos Today in Downtown San Francisco or Palo Alto!

If you’re ready to take control of your health with the most accurate body composition analysis available, it’s time to book your DEXA scan at Kalos. Whether you’re looking to get lean, build muscle, improve performance, or optimize longevity, our advanced technology and expert guidance will help you get there.

Schedule your scan today at Kalos, your journey to data-driven fitness starts now.

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