In recent years, the measurement of % bodyfat has become widely used and recommended as one of the indicators of fitness. By monitoring % bodyfat and weight regularly, there are many things a person can learn about their fitness and any changes in fitness as time progresses, that cannot be learned by simply weighing with a scale.

This is the person who is the correct weight according to a height weight chart or even underweight according to these charts. They may also look reasonably fit when they look in a mirror and may think they are just fine. And yet, if they measure their % bodyfat they may find they have too much fat. Their small, under-developed, probably little used muscles account for their light weight. % bodyfat measurements will show them they are overfat and under muscled and they will realize they need to go on an exercise program with correct food intake to replace fat with muscle.   And yet another possibility is a very strong, muscular, athletic person. They may have a weight considerably above what a height-weight chart would say they should have. If they believe the chart they may think they have too much fat and have to lose weight when, in fact, their extra weight is due to large muscles. This person might actually be very lean and if they were to go on a diet and lose weight almost all the loss would be muscle tissue. Measuring % bodyfat would reveal this situation and show the person they were lean and that the extra weight was muscle and possibly even stronger bones which have a higher density. A scale cannot give this information. Only % bodyfat measurements will show this.