Methodology
How to Measure Body Fat Accurately
Francesco Zen, founder of ZTraining · Last updated June 19, 2026
Why precision isn't always the goal
The goal is always efficiency. Once it's clear that body fat needs to trend down, knowing the exact figure adds little to the actual plan. What matters operationally is direction, not the decimal point.
"Who cares if it's 17 or 15%? We know it has to go down."
When precision is worth it
For someone genuinely curious about the exact number, a DEXA scan is the way to get it. But for the operative, week-to-week coaching decisions that actually drive progress, visual assessment by an experienced eye is sufficient.
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Francesco Zen is the founder of ZTraining and ZLIFE, with 18 years of coaching experience working with executives across the UK, US, and UAE. He built Mr Z, an AI coach trained on his methodology to bring the same approach to a wider audience.