Measure Goals
How do you measure your progress?
So how exactly do you know if your training is going well? Do you look in the mirror, step on the scale, or ask a significant other? Maybe the best way is to have someone measure your body fat, right? NO. It doesn’t matter what your body fat is, what matters is whether or not you are getting leaner or gaining weight.
Every client that I have ever know wants to jump on the scale to see how much weight they have lost. But, have they lost muscle, or was it just water weight. We have all seen those television shows were people who lose the most weight win. What would be great to see is who has the lowest body fat wins. Wouldn’t you be pissed to lose over a 100lbs and gain some serious muscle to just lose to someone who looks skinny as a rail with no muscle tone?
Now don’t get me wrong, I am not opposed to measuring your body fat. You just have to make sure that you have the exact same person measure you in the exact same place every time. Trust me every trainer, person uses this scale differently. Even if they measure you a few inches off form the last site, your measurement will come back different. If you do wish to use this method a 3pt caliper work good, but a 7pt caliper is the best. Both calipers come with detailed instructions on their use.
The absolute best way to measure any progress is simply with a tape measure. Oh, don’t use the one in the garage, take the time to buy the proper measuring tape. You can find these in your local grocery store, by the fabrics, or at any health store. To measure your muscle mass: take measurements at your bicep, chest, and quads. For weight loss: take measurements at your waist, and hips. Just remember as with the caliper to take measurements in the exact same place.
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