Body fat calipers say I'm at 18%bf. Some of you estimated 12%?

I just got my body fat calipers in the mail today.  Had my boys help me use them until my wife gets home, so may be innaccurate.  Using the 4 measures (back of upper arm 9mm, front of upper arm 4mm, below shoulder blade 11mm, and side of waist 10mm) the chart says 18% for my age.  I have a medium frame as measured by my elbow width.  I'm 45, 6'1, and about 195.  I've posted some pictures elsewhere but here are some different ones I took at the same time.  Reference them and my avatar. 
 
I want to compete in Natural Novice and Masters Over 45 next year.  What are the implications if I have a BF of 18 rather than 12?  That would mean my lean body mass is only 160# (w/18%bf) vs. 172# (w/12%bf).  The bad news is less lean body mass.  Is there good news that 18% (vs. 12%) would mean more "shredability" and that if I already look 12% I could potentially get really cut up?  If I were to be 195# and 18%bf what should I bulk to, and then cut down to?  How much lean body mass would be acceptable and ideal?  Thanks!

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I'd say about 15-16.   Calipers aren't always accurate though, neither are internet opinions.

18% sounds too high to me.  It's important to remember that skinfold calipers can't distinguish between subcutaneous water and fat, and depending on the method you use, the values can vary by as much as 5%!

At 195, the difference between 12% and 18% is 12 pounds of fat.  Looking at your photos, I'll believe 23 pounds, but 35 is pushing it.  Go to a butcher shop and take a look at what 35 pounds of pork fat looks like.  Now try to imagine that distributed all over your anatomy.  Of course, no one can really say for sure, since the age factors in those equations try to account for more fat being stored internally, around your vital organs, and none of us can accurately guess that from a photo.

Don't get wrapped around the literal number you get out of these measurements -what matters is that whatever method you use, you use it consistently, and watch for changes.

Last, I'm hesitant to go with any manufacturer's pre-fabricated chart.  As a math geek, I'd much rather have the actual Jackson & Pollock equations.  Some websites can run those equations for you, like This One, or This One, or This One.

your not 18.. that's too high! maybe 15 at most... but odds are around 12..  But everyone carries fat differently.  I carry most of my fat on my back.. But not my chest legs stomach etc.. it's the last area to go on my body.   I didn't realize your 45..  hey shoot me a pm.

I can probably help you bulk to 210 - 215 and cut to 185 @ 8% or less...  Maybe high 180's like 187 - 189.. within the next 10 - 12 weeks..  I mean I am no pro but everyone who has trained along side with me looks pretty damn good.   I don't normally shoot my input around here as much anymore and my ways of training and dieting or totally different then they use to be.

regardless if your interested hit me up and ill tell you what to do.

One thing I would add is that your wife and boys probably aren't trained on how to use calipers properly, which can take some time to get used to them. I would do a 9 site test where age doesn't factor in first thing tomorrow morning and see what you get. Generally your uppers abs start to poke through anywhere from 12-15%.

I seem somewhat vascular already:  Since I'm somewhat pale skinned I can see the web of veins in my upper chest, shoulders, arms, and at the beltline on the hips.  When those muscles get pumped during a workout, those vessels start to "pop out" in bumps.  That's a pretty good indication, right, that when I cut, I will be very vascular?  That's desirable, right?

That's desirable, right?

Vascular as in a visual sign of low body fat?  Yes.  You won't see what you describe unless there's a very thin layer between the muscles and your skin.

Sounds like you've got a low percentage anyway.  Which means the calipers for you will probably show too high of a reading.  They don't work so well in extremely overweight or very lean individuals.

Nonetheless, worth using as one of your many tools.  The mirror is your friend as IBB suggests.  You see changes?  Then it's happening.

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com