STEADFAST TRAINING GLOSSARY
Definition
Body composition describes what the body is made of, often summarized as fat mass and fat free mass rather than total weight alone.
What it means
Fat free mass includes muscle, water, bone and organs. It is not synonymous with muscle mass. Different assessment methods estimate these components in different ways and have measurement limitations.
A practical example
Two adults can weigh the same and have different proportions of body fat and other tissues. A change on a bathroom scale cannot identify which component changed.
Putting it into practice
For coaching, combine consistent measurements with strength, function and other relevant indicators. Use the same method under similar conditions when following trends. Avoid treating a single body fat estimate as an exact verdict on health or progress.
Related terms
Muscle Hypertrophy · Muscle Atrophy · Calorie Deficit
Explore further
Body fat calculator · Browse the glossary