Many health and fitness experts believe a body fat percentage test is the best way to determine your fitness level. Body Fat percentage is the amount of fat on your body in comparison to lean body mass.

A person may have a high BMI and still be healthy. Elite athletes can consume 6000 calories a day and still be in excellent physical shape. Scales do not take your frame size into account, neither do height to weight charts. Below are two popular charts. Body Fat too high? Click here.

MALE	CATEGORY	WOMEN
5%	Essential	10%
10% or less	Athletic	17% or less
10% - 15%	Lean	17% - 22%
15% - 18%	Normal	22% - 25%
18% - 20%	Above Average	25% - 29%
21% - 25%	Overfat	30% - 35%
25%+	Obese	35%+

Classification	Men	Women
Essential	2 - 4%	10 - 12%
Athletes	6 - 13%	14 - 20%
Fitness	14 -17%	21 - 24%
Acceptable	18 - 25%	25 - 31%
Obese	25%+	32%+
Source: American Council on Exercise

Body fat increases with age. All small percentage increase is ok, too much is not.

There are many ways to check your body fat %. Here are some:

Considered to be the most accurate body fat test.
Often called "Dunking".
You are basically weighed under water to find your fat to lean mass ratio. This requires special equipment. You can try this at many schools and universities for $25 - 50.

This method uses xrays to distinguish between fat and lean body mass. Another accurate method. You can try this with a doctor's referral at most hospitals.

Bring your money, it can cost hundreds of dollars.

This can be a good measure if done correctly. Accuracy depends highly on the administrators testing skills, therefore, it can produce skewed results.

$10 at most gyms and health clubs. You get what you pay for.

Mixed reviews from many professionals. Get a professional reading, then try a scale and see how it compares. $50 and up.