We get to see Derrick Rose live tonight at 9:00 EST on ESPN.

[bigboi]

That's arguably unhealthy if it's actually a measured number. You are now potentially dipping below essential fats. I tend to believe people just throw around random numbers though and most have no idea what they are talking about.

No way he's that low, the lowest bf% of an NBA player is prob 8%. Rose is prob 10-12% right now

There is no way he is as high as 8%. Absolutely no way.

He isn't lower than 8% man, give it up. To be under 8%, you have to have an extremely strict diet and we know damn well that DRose isn't doing a bodybuilder diet. Look up DRose body fat on google images, granted that it's old pictures there is now way you can tell me with a straight face that he's under 10-12% for bf%. The NBA estimates this stuff by using height/weight/bmi and just guessing, the numbers aren't real

[RedBulls23]

4,5% body fat? That's close to your typical bodybuilder's fat percentage. Insane if true.

A lot of these NBA player's have low body fat %. I remember Jordan was like at 3-4% himself.

That's arguably unhealthy if it's actually a measured number. You are now potentially dipping below essential fats. I tend to believe people just throw around random numbers though and most have no idea what they are talking about.

I personally don't know if it's factually healthy or not, but I doubt they are just guessing. It's likely measured accurately by professionals.

[jumpmanjay]

At 5%, people start to see striations in their ass.

How do you know I don't???

I have read the Omron is usually within a point or two of the caliper method, which is typically second only to the water immersion method of measuring body fat. When I last had a caliper test done (years ago), I was 8%, but I have more muscle mass now, though I am only a few pounds heavier.

What is the best method to measure accurately?

[organix85]

A lot of these NBA player's have low body fat %. I remember Jordan was like at 3-4% himself.

That's arguably unhealthy if it's actually a measured number. You are now potentially dipping below essential fats. I tend to believe people just throw around random numbers though and most have no idea what they are talking about.

I personally don't know if it's factually healthy or not, but I doubt they are just guessing. It's likely measured accurately by professionals.

Meh, I doubt it... there's no need to run an expensive test for a meaningless number.

[MissileMike]

A lot of these NBA player's have low body fat %. I remember Jordan was like at 3-4% himself.

That's arguably unhealthy if it's actually a measured number. You are now potentially dipping below essential fats. I tend to believe people just throw around random numbers though and most have no idea what they are talking about.

It's not that big of a deal. Through consistent cardio and a clean diet, it's very achievable.

My body fat is around 6% usually. I work out 3x a week and play bball once a week. During a stretch where I was eating really healthy, my body fat meter (http://www.amazon.com/Omron-Monitor-mod ... B000FYZMYK) couldn't even give me a number it was so low. The lowest actual value I have seen was 5.8%. The results, while not 100% accurate, are pretty close, and pretty consistent.

I feel fantastic when I am eating healthier and subsequently when my body fat is potentially "unhealthy." I love food, so it's hard to stay that low all of the time.

Spoiler:

...and I am not a professional athlete. Derrick is definitely below that, if he eats as healthy as he says he has been.

You should get a 5$ caliper off of Amazon, they're far more accurate than the impedance method the omron monitors use. Omrons are good, however, for measuring changes in your body fat.

[organix85]

At 5%, people start to see striations in their ass.

How do you know I don't???

I have read the Omron is usually within a point or two of the caliper method, which is typically second only to the water immersion method of measuring body fat. When I last had a caliper test done (years ago), I was 8%, but I have more muscle mass now, though I am only a few pounds heavier.

What is the best method to measure accurately?

Best? I'm not sure cause there may be more than what I have heard of. But as you mentioned, the hydrostatic weighing is the one I've heard it most accurate. People say DEXA scans are the best now and even those are off by up to 2% or so. But maybe there's others that I don't know that are more expensive.

And for what it's worth, here is something about that Omron product:

"Often seen in gyms, handheld devices like the Omron use the same principle as the body fat scales but they suffer from the same reliability issues as the at-home scales and can fluctuate wildly depending on your hydration level. While they are easy to use—just grab the handles and hold!—they can also be pricey. Plus, they can't tell the difference between visceral and subcutaneous fat."

[organix85]

Can we get back to the topic of this thread? It's not about body fat, like who the F cares, seriously!

Meh... I just don't like to perpetuate nonsense. If people are going to use percentages all the time, there should be an understanding of what is realistic.

[tenritsu]

2-4% body fat is near bodybuilding competition status... and they don't keep it for that long because it's unhealthy.

He looks huge, but he ain't that shredded. But it's fine, because these measurements are meant as a way to compare anyways. As long as all NBA athletes are measured the same way, which it appears to be so, it's fine.

[drosestruts]

Everytime body fat is mentioned I feel it turns into a huge debate over whether the reported numbers are real/fake healthy/un-healthy.

Which got me thinking, is this measured differently in different parts of the world? There seems to be a disconnect here.

People aren't just throwing out random numbers in regard to these NBA players body fat.

In high school I ran cross country, in health class we all had to get our body fat measured. Mine was like 3%, the teacher said typically that would be seen as unhealthy but since I ran cross country it's not a bad thing.

Derrick Rose is a professional athlete. He's gonna have low body fat.

[jumpmanjay]

At 5%, people start to see striations in their ass.

How do you know I don't???

I have read the Omron is usually within a point or two of the caliper method, which is typically second only to the water immersion method of measuring body fat. When I last had a caliper test done (years ago), I was 8%, but I have more muscle mass now, though I am only a few pounds heavier.

What is the best method to measure accurately?

Best? I'm not sure cause there may be more than what I have heard of. But as you mentioned, the hydrostatic weighing is the one I've heard it most accurate. People say DEXA scans are the best now and even those are off by up to 2% or so. But maybe there's others that I don't know that are more expensive.

And for what it's worth, here is something about that Omron product:

"Often seen in gyms, handheld devices like the Omron use the same principle as the body fat scales but they suffer from the same reliability issues as the at-home scales and can fluctuate wildly depending on your hydration level. While they are easy to use—just grab the handles and hold!—they can also be pricey. Plus, they can't tell the difference between visceral and subcutaneous fat."

I always measured according to their recommended pattern- I would do in the morning before eating, but after going to the bathroom (ha). The results were very consistent. As I was losing weight, the number continually dropped.

...Very much different than my scale which typically has bf readings all over the place.

So say Derrick has 4.5% bf according to a caliper test (hypothetically)...would you say it's still very wrong?

[bigboi]

Everytime body fat is mentioned I feel it turns into a huge debate over whether the reported numbers are real/fake healthy/un-healthy.

Which got me thinking, is this measured differently in different parts of the world? There seems to be a disconnect here.

People aren't just throwing out random numbers in regard to these NBA players body fat.

In high school I ran cross country, in health class we all had to get our body fat measured. Mine was like 3%, the teacher said typically that would be seen as unhealthy but since I ran cross country it's not a bad thing.

Derrick Rose is a professional athlete. He's gonna have low body fat.

Let me guess you used the handheld machine and inserted athlete. Guess what I did the same thing, my bf% was 4%.

[CousinOfDeath]

Ahhhh Rose is really back this time. I know it because I have butterflies in my stomach and can't sleep at night. Our unicorn is truly back and he's grown longer wings.

[datmi]

This body fat discussion is boring. Please entertain me with more Drose.

[KirkHinrich12]

He is not 4.5%, but to those saying 12%, that is just as crazy. 4.5% is lower than pro bodybuilder. I would guess Derrick is at 8.5%.

[mj234eva]

This body fat discussion is boring. Please entertain me with more Drose.

http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/bulls-g ... -offseason

[Benedict Miller]

Please don't. We have too many psuedo-physicians in here already.....don't bring them out.

I meant to say 4-6 months, but you're right, we have way too many physicians who know it all and we don't need much more of that in this thread. Some of these jokers are buzz kills.

I think kyrv was referring to the ACL, since the post he was responding to was talking about how even though you are healthy, your body doesn't fully come back until the second year. Regardless, if you don't want the people who disagree with you ruining your good vibes:

(a) Don't play doctor yourself and they won't have anything to respond to;

(b) Don't call those people names.

They'll probably stay away. No one is unhappy with positive reports about Derrick Rose's physical condition. Every Bulls fan wants him healthy and dominating.

? I wasn't playing Dr. that's why I asked him the question. Kyrv said Rose has been healthy for a long time, since he already knows, I asked when. How am I playing Dr. asking a question? And even if he is referring to the ACL (Which I doubt, even though that injury was more devastating) I don't understand how Rose has been healthy for a long time. Jokers? That's fine. I thought it sounded better than saying fools.

[organix85]

Everytime body fat is mentioned I feel it turns into a huge debate over whether the reported numbers are real/fake healthy/un-healthy.

Which got me thinking, is this measured differently in different parts of the world? There seems to be a disconnect here.

People aren't just throwing out random numbers in regard to these NBA players body fat.

In high school I ran cross country, in health class we all had to get our body fat measured. Mine was like 3%, the teacher said typically that would be seen as unhealthy but since I ran cross country it's not a bad thing.

Derrick Rose is a professional athlete. He's gonna have low body fat.

People do throw random numbers around a lot. I see people post a picture online of themselves and a bunch of people will say "you look 12%" based on a random pic of some abs. I would not be remotely surprised if this is the primary method when people state a body fat percentage... they eye test.

If not the eye test, people are likely using calipers or a handheld BIA device. Both can and will likely yield inaccurate results... especially if you actually are tying to believe there's a standard across the US.. team to team... or even player to player.

And yea, he is an athlete and will have lower body fat than an average man. That doesn't mean he's living at the edge of lacking function. Fat is essential to the body for many reasons... and he wouldn't build muscle at low fat unless he was on gear.

[Judrix]

How is that worms-eye view? Derrick has grown two large wings and now he's above you...

[drbg43]

Loving the amount of good news coming out about Rose. So excited to see him play again finally.

BTW, Rose is a lock to make this team and star on it. Everyone should realize that by now. Every indication is that he's back to being himself.

[organix85]

I always measured according to their recommended pattern- I would do in the morning before eating, but after going to the bathroom (ha). The results were very consistent. As I was losing weight, the number continually dropped.

...Very much different than my scale which typically has bf readings all over the place.

So say Derrick has 4.5% bf according to a caliper test (hypothetically)...would you say it's still very wrong?

I'm not here to argue the accuracy of a handheld BIA device. They are well documented to be inaccurate. Google it and you will see it all over. As for the calipers stuff... unless they did something like a hydrostatic weighing, I'd say it's probably off unless he's on gear. Eh... even then I'd doubt it actually. But calipers aren't the end-all, be-all. They are subjective to where you measure exactly on a specific body. Some people measure 3 places and throw it in an equation and some take 7 places and throw it in an equation. How do I know what they did? Some people carry fat in different areas and may not have something like their glutes measured at all. They are best when you measure the same exact spot on your body with the same exact method. This way, you can determine your progression compared to yourself. The number in itself won't compare exactly to others who did theirs themselves.