With excessive body fat and obesity recognized as serious problems across the United States, measuring body fat is an important tool when considering a man’s health and fitness goals. And while the BMI shouldn’t be used as the final decision when it comes to figuring out what type of fitness regime you should follow, many doctors agree that it does give a good initial indication of whether your body fat is under control, or whether you need to re-evaluate your diet and exercise.
The BMI formula is not without its faults, though. Because it doesn’t take into account bone or muscle mass, it may not represent a reasonable estimate for very muscular or big-boned men, or older men who may be classified as underweight due to low muscle mass. After all, according to BMI standards, the following celebrities are considered overweight: Tom Cruise (BMI 26), George Clooney (BMI 29), Mark McGuire (BMI 30) and President George W. Bush (BMI 26). And surprisingly, Arnold Schwarzenegger (BMI 33), Sylvester Stallone (BMI 34) and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (BMI 33) are all considered obese! For men with a great deal of muscle mass, it’s best to consult a doctor about their ideal weight, instead of solely relying on BMI calculations.
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