How a Body Composition Test Helped Peter Reduce Body Fat Percentage and Achieve a Healthy BMI
Peter Rhodes knew it was time for a change when he realised he wanted to improve his body shape and reduce his body fat percentage. A day at the beach with his grandchildren was the turning point. After some online research, he discovered Health Science University and their Body Composition Analysis services. Here, Peter shares his journey and how Health Science University’s expert guidance helped him achieve a healthy BMI and boost his overall fitness.
Peter tells us his story…
“I was with our grandkids on the beach. I thought that I’m not the right shape any longer. I went on my scales at home which confirmed that I was overweight. However, I needed to check my body composition, too. So, I googled it and found that Health Science University could help me.
“They have a state-of-the-art machine, one of less than 5 in the country, that does a proper body composition analysis. So I booked it in and sure enough, it confirmed that my body fat percentage wasn’t where I wanted it to be, so I also signed up for exercise classes at the Integrated Rehabilitation Centre.”
Setting Goals
“I wanted to work towards a healthy BMI and reduce my body fat to 25% or less. I’m a keen long distance walker, but I never seemed to lose weight by walking. Tish Rutherford, Sports Rehabilitator at HSU Clinical & Rehabilitation Services, explained that I wasn’t going to lose fat by just aerobic exercise: she said that I needed to introduce weights and strength training, too. So I went to the exercise classes once a week. I also replicated it at home the best I could for the other two times a week. I was essentially doing 3 strength training sessions a week. I quite enjoyed it, to be honest. After a few weeks, I was surprised that I was able to start lifting heavier weights.”
The Body Composition Test
“The test is done on a machine where you hold some grips and stand on a plate. The machine uses 256 low-frequency impulses that go through the body and assess your fat content. It assesses other areas as well, but I was primarily interested in the ratio of fat to muscle in the body. I wanted to increase the percentage of muscle, hence decrease the fat.
“The full body composition analysis included readings such as muscle mass, body fat, fluids, body mass index, and the base metabolic rate. I already knew my weight, but the body composition test analyses everything scientifically. That was what was interesting to me.”
“I had a personalised programme set up for me. There were times when I wanted to either add or change an exercise. As I got better at things, I wanted to know whether I should do more reps or increase the weight. During the class, there was nobody standing over you but there was always somebody on hand to ask a question.
Because it’s a small group class, there was always availability of the machines that you wanted to use. You could circulate around the machines perfectly easily.”
The Results
“After three months of doing the exercises, I wanted to know how I was getting on. So I had another body composition test and they were quite impressed. I was also quite impressed because there were significant changes, which kept me motivated and kept me going. I continued my programme and by six months, my body fat percentage was now in the green (as opposed to being in the red when I started), so it went from red to orange to green. I have maintained my weight through home workouts and continued weight training. Walking daily is easy for me, but weight training can sometimes be challenging, so I reward myself with a game of snooker!”
Feeling Better
“I feel significantly better now than when I first visited HSU. I’ve just walked half of the South Downs Way with a friend. Whereas he and I were equal, I’m now significantly more able than he is.
“I’m also feeling ready to go back on the beach with my grandchildren this year!”
Why Peter Recommends the Service
“It’s not expensive. For me, it was the start of a change in my lifestyle.
“The science part interested me at the beginning and then I genuinely feel that after having done it for six months and maintaining it for another three or four months, I’ve changed the way that I manage my life.
“I thought the staff were superb, too. They were really helpful and the service was really useful.”
Tish’s Comments:
“Peter was looking for guidance and a strength programme to work towards a healthy BMI and reducing his body fat to 25% or less.
“I was mindful of his past medical history, so we started by discussing the baseline measures. I recommended that Peter had a body composition test as it gives you some measures to have a comparison later down the line. Just stepping on the scales doesn’t always equate to how much muscle you’ve maybe developed or lost, so it would give him a bit more of an incentive and confidence.
“The Body Composition Test combined with the personalised exercise programme worked really well. We strength tested Peter on the leg press and recommended the weights he should be pressing. We found some exercises that he enjoyed doing and understood what they were trying to achieve. From there, he was used our open gym.
“Peter has done amazingly well. His adherence, focus and drive to reach his goals have been excellent.”
Peter and his wife on holiday in the USA
