How to calculate: Body Fat %????

I have just heard that in order to get a 6 pack you must have a body fat percentage of 7%...but how on earth do you figure out the amount of body fat you have??? I'm 5'6 and 130 lbs and not very fit...but am working on creating a workout schedule to tone up and get hard with a secret goal of getting the hard flat stomach i've always wanted. (i tend to carry weight in the midsection)

Do you have a tape measurer? If so just type in body fat calculator in google.

First of all, to have a body fat percentage of 7% is both unhealthy and dangerous for a woman, we need to have a certain amount of fat on our bodies.  You can look at the info that C.C. provides on their program to learn more about healthy body fat.

To determine your body fat, there are three types of tests that I am aware of, all with different levels of accuracy.  The most well known in the calipers where they pinch your stomach area and measure your body fat.  The accuracy of this test depends on the ability of the person doing the test, however it's likely the easiest to find someone to do it.  The second is running a very slight shot of electricity through your body (you don't feel it) and it measure your body composition.  This is what the scales that measure body fat do, but I have one at home and it easily varies within a 3% range in any given week so it's not too accurate.  I have had it done with a professional machine by a personal trainer before and that was much more accurate. The third way (which I've never seen available to the public) is using a water test, I don't know much about but it has something to do with floating in a tub of water.  

Most people use their Body Mass Index to get a measure of how healthy their body weight it, though it's certainly not perfect, it's the most accessible tool.  You can find it on this website under the Tools section.

Women need at least 12% bf for essential living or somewhere around that figure.  Lots of your organs are fat and you need some fat to cushion the organs.  If you are 5'6" and 130 your weight is healthy - I would say do some weight lifting to add muscles and this will firm up any flab.  As far as spot reducing it won't happen and woman tend to carry weight in their midsections

I hate to tell you too...that a flat midsection isn't acheivable for everyone.  Everyone's abs are different and some people are born with abs that won't ever be flat.  My son has distasis for instance and he will never have flat abs I was told by the doctor he will always have a little protrusion.

I have just heard that in order to get a 6 pack you must have a body fat percentage of 7%...

You heard very wrong. That is rediculous. Click here for body fat information.

I should add 7% is unhealthy for a WOMAN. It is healthy for a man.

"I should add 7% is unhealthy for a WOMAN. It is healthy for a man."

Well that's good to know. Now if I could just get there!

Yes, not everyone can get flat abs, as organ size can make a difference there, but everyone should be able to get at least a visible six pack (even if it has a protrusion), but having diastasis recti could be an exception, as the abdominal muscle (rectus abdominus) is actually split down the middle.  However, that usually heals itself over time.

Now 8 packs are another story. 

"For men, 2-4% body fat is essential, 6-13% is an athletic body fat range, 14-17% is considered a 'fit' range, and 18-25% is acceptable." (from exercise.about.com)

 

7% is doable for guys, but I don't know if I would say it's "healthy."  Athletes and bodybuilders usually don't maintain such a low body fat percentage for very long.