--- title: Why Your BMI Matters description: Learn about the importance of BMI and the health benefits of having a healthy BMI. image: https://blog.gymsource.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/BMI-1.jpg --- [![Gym Source| Fit for your life](https://blog.gymsource.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gym%20Source%20logo%20new.png?width=626&height=105&name=Gym%20Source%20logo%20new.png "Gym Source| Fit for your life")](https://blog.gymsource.com/) Search [Locations](https://www.gymsource.com/store-locator) [Search](https://www.gymsource.com/search) - [Commercial Fitness](https://www.gymsource.com/commercial-fitness) - [Residential Fitness](https://www.gymsource.com/residential-fitness) - [Equipment](https://www.gymsource.com/equipment) - [Services](https://www.gymsource.com/services) - [About Us](https://www.gymsource.com/about) - [Blog](https://www.gymsource.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.gymsource.com/contact) - Menu - [Commercial](https://www.gymsource.com/commercial-fitness) - [Residential](https://www.gymsource.com/residential-fitness) [Locations](https://www.gymsource.com/store-locator) ### Products - [Commercial Fitness](https://www.gymsource.com/commercial-fitness) - [Residential Fitness](https://www.gymsource.com/residential-fitness) - [Equipment](https://www.gymsource.com/equipment) ### Gym Source - [Services](https://www.gymsource.com/services) - Menu Item 1 - Menu Item 2 - [About Us](https://www.gymsource.com/about) - [Blog](https://www.gymsource.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.gymsource.com/contact) ### Newsletter ### Social - - - - - - [Home](https://www.gymsource.com/) - Fitness Spotlight - [Home](https://www.gymsource.com/) - [Fitness Spotlight](https://blog.gymsource.com) - Why Your BMI Matters # Why Your BMI Matters Posted May 24, 2013 by Gym Source in [BMI](https://blog.gymsource.com/tag/bmi) , [Fitness Tips](https://blog.gymsource.com/tag/fitness-tips) , [Health and Wellness](https://blog.gymsource.com/tag/health-and-wellness) , [healthy lifestyle](https://blog.gymsource.com/tag/healthy-lifestyle) [![Woman Measuring Fat](https://blog.gymsource.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/BMI-150x150.jpg?width=150&height=150&name=BMI-150x150.jpg)](https://blog.gymsource.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/BMI.jpg) As a key indicator of fat as a percentage of your overall weight, your Body Mass Index (BMI) is an invaluable tool for health and wellness. The American [Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics](http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6844) has guidelines for calculating your own BMI and tips for how BMI can help improve your health. While the Academy notes that BMI is just one of several factors that you and your doctor should consider when evaluating your health, the organization’s [BMI calculator](http://www.eatright.org/bmi/) is a good place to start. So why does BMI matter? As the Academy points out, anyone with either a very high or very low BMI faces greater health risks. However, even people with a healthy BMI are at risk if they smoke cigarettes, aren’t physically active, and eat food loaded with sugar and fats. Conversely, those who are overweight will have a lower health risk if they are [physically active](http://www.gymsource.com/treadmills) and have blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure levels that are within normal limits. Regardless of your BMI, if you’re not happy with your fat-to-bodyweight ratio, [more exercise](http://www.gymsource.com/cardio) can make a big difference.   Share this story: # Recent Posts ## [May 30th, 2023 Fix Your Weakest Link: Running Are you doing well with the swimming and biking parts of your triathlon, but falling behind when it comes to running? 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