I. Introduction
Knowing your hip measurements is important for a variety of reasons, from buying clothes that fit well to tracking health progress. In this article, we’ll provide a beginner’s guide to measuring hips accurately, covering the correct method, common mistakes to avoid, and tips and tricks for beginners.
II. The Importance of Measuring Your Hips and How to Do It Correctly
Before diving into the steps of measuring hips accurately, it’s important to understand why it matters. Understanding this information will give you a better sense of how tracking and understanding your hip measurement can help you in various settings.
Measuring hips correctly is important because the hip measurement tells us a lot about the body’s shape and size. Hip measurements can allow for better fitting clothing when shopping, proper body measurements for athletic training, and an accurate assessment of body fat and progress when considering overall health and fitness goals.
To measure hips accurately, start by standing up straight and relaxed, wearing comfortable clothing that shows your hip-line with no pockets or zippers on it. The measuring tape should rest level on top of the hip bones, running around the fullest part of the buttocks and the hips.
III. 5 Easy Steps to Accurately Measure Your Hips
There are five simple steps to follow in order to obtain the most accurate hip measurement.
- Stand up straight and relaxed with your feet just a few inches apart.
- Place the tape measure securely around the widest part of your hips.
- Make sure the tape measure is level and parallel to the floor.
- Take note of the measurement.
- Record the measurement and repeat the process 2-3 times, ensuring the previous measurements match to prevent inconsistency.
To ensure accurate results, be consistent in your technique and measure in the same location every time.
IV. A Beginner’s Guide to Measuring Hips: Tips and Tricks to Ensure Accurate Results
Measuring your hips can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time. Here are a few tips and tricks to follow to ensure that your results are as accurate as possible.
- Wear the right clothing: When measuring hips, tight clothing or clothing with pockets can skew results. Wear loose or comfortable clothing, free of pockets, and never measure over clothing.
- Use a mirror: Depending on the location you choose to measure your hips, a mirror can help ensure the tape measure isn’t twisted or at an angle and that you are measuring correctly.
- Be consistent: Leave one finger under the measuring tape to account for snugness and ensure you are measuring in the same location every time.
- Measure multiple times: Measuring your hips multiple times can help ensure that you get accurate and consistent results.
For the most accurate results, measure your hips in the morning before eating or drinking and try to maintain the same weight to prevent discrepancies in results.
V. Common Mistakes People Make When Measuring Their Hips and How to Avoid Them
When it comes to measuring hips, many people make the same mistakes. Here are some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
- Measuring at the wrong location: Be sure you are measuring your widest point and not the high hip where the waist curve goes inward
- Not keeping the tape parallel to the floor: If the measuring tape is not in a straight line, the hip measurement may be much larger than it actually is.
- Measuring over clothing: Clothing can often add bulk to our bodies in places where there isn’t any, leading to an inaccurate measurement. A tape measure should always sit against the skin for the best results.
- Placing the tape measure too tightly or not securely enough: Ensure that the tape measure is snug, but not too tight when measuring hips. This ensures accuracy without causing discomfort.
VI. The Best Tools and Techniques to Measure Your Hips at Home
While the most common tool used for measuring hips is a measuring tape, a body fat scale that measures hip circumference can also be an effective alternative. The scale measures the circumference of the hips, allowing for a better understanding of body fat distribution. However, the accuracy of a scale heavily depends on the quality of the device.
While traditional measuring tapes are the most tried-and-true method of obtaining an accurate hip measurement and device quality can vary, there are several digital options that can be utilized to increase precision. At-home body scanners and waist measurement devices can generate more in-depth feedback on overall body shape in addition to hip measurement.
VII. Conclusion
Knowing your hips’ measurements can benefit you in many areas of life, from the fitting of clothes to understanding progress in your weight loss journey or overall fitness goals. By using the correct method and techniques outlined above, consistently taking your hip measurements, avoiding common pitfalls, and choosing the right tool, you can get precise and valuable data from the comfort of your own home.