What exactly is the body mass index?
The BMI or “Body Mass Index” is a calculation based on a persons height and weight. Anyone can calculate their own BMI with the following formula:
This calculation results in a score that can be compared to a table or graph displaying corresponding height-to-weight values. The values are:
- Underweight = < 18.5
- Normal = 18.5 – 24.9
- Overweight = 25 – 29.9
- Obese = 30 or greater
The body mass index is an extremely simple and inexpensive way to categorize body sizes, but it does have its limitations. The biggest problem with using the BMI is that it does not account for muscle mass and body fat percentages. This means that a completely sedentary individual that is 6 feet tall and weighs 200 lbs will register the same BMI as a professional athlete with very little body fat and a larger amount of muscle mass at the same dimensions. A certified fitness trainer will be able to provide a more detailed assessment of your body composition by using one of many methods for determining body fat vs. lean tissue percentages.
To calculate your Body Mass Index you can use the formula listed above or visit our BMI Calculator page under Client Info. Click Here