Body Fat Calipers

Rachiepie6
Rachiepie6 Posts: 423 Member
edited October 5 in Health and Weight Loss
Do you measure your Body Fat using Calipers? I'm considering buying a pair, but would like to know how easy it is to do yourself? Can you reach everywhere or do you need someone to help?

Replies

  • Samerah12
    Samerah12 Posts: 610 Member
    Hey! I have some of the cheapo plastic ones and they're super easy. The chart I have for them is for abdominal fat only so its definitely easy to do myself.
  • pinkgigi
    pinkgigi Posts: 693 Member
    you can get scales that measure body fat, that's what I have, much easier.

    GG
  • LeBlackstone
    LeBlackstone Posts: 26
    Calipers are only useful in the hands of someone who has both training and a LOT of practice. Even then, it's impossible to accurately caliper yourself.
  • Rachiepie6
    Rachiepie6 Posts: 423 Member
    you can get scales that measure body fat, that's what I have, much easier.

    GG

    I have them, but I don't trust them 100%. I think calipers are more accurate. Would love to get the proper analysis, but not spending that kind of money on it :tongue:
  • MîîśÊmÿłõü
    MîîśÊmÿłõü Posts: 285 Member
    my scales measure body fat and when re measured at the docs with the calipers it was the same :flowerforyou:
  • Udail51
    Udail51 Posts: 35 Member
    You will need help with some of the spots. Like the back. Some calculations use 7 spots. The more locations the better chance of accuracy.
  • jakejacobsen
    jakejacobsen Posts: 584 Member
    some gyms have the hand held thing and let you use it if you ask
  • jakejacobsen
    jakejacobsen Posts: 584 Member
    they have them on Black Friday sale for $1.40 at Heart Rate Monitors USA
    http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/cyber.html?utm_source=cactusconnect&utm_medium=email&utm_content=banner&utm_campaign=black
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    bump
  • DakotaKeogh
    DakotaKeogh Posts: 693 Member
    I haven't done the caliper method. I've done the other method of taking measurements at various points all over me and then running the calculation. The most accurate way is the water immersion test which I had done recently. The measurement method showed me at just under 22%. The immersion test showed me at 19%. I'll go with the immersion test results! hahaha

    If you're curious about getting an immersion test, I Googled "body fat test seattle". You could just substitute your town. It was only $50.
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    yep. accumeasure ebay cheapies.

    As I do it every week, it is repeatable and more accurate than a bf% scale or bioimpedance device.

    I don't trust the %'s though, I just go by the mm. (I have had a dexa scan @7%BF where the calipers were saying 4.5% which is BS!)
  • Rachiepie6
    Rachiepie6 Posts: 423 Member
    my scales measure body fat and when re measured at the docs with the calipers it was the same :flowerforyou:

    lol I would be interested in going on your scales and mine to compare :p
    I like the wii's weight more than scales though (only .4kg difference this morning)
  • MîîśÊmÿłõü
    MîîśÊmÿłõü Posts: 285 Member
    my scales measure body fat and when re measured at the docs with the calipers it was the same :flowerforyou:

    lol I would be interested in going on your scales and mine to compare :p
    I like the wii's weight more than scales though (only .4kg difference this morning)


    thats weird yours have a difference..mine are spot on..YAY :tongue:
  • Rachiepie6
    Rachiepie6 Posts: 423 Member
    thats weird yours have a difference..mine are spot on..YAY :tongue:

    The difference isn't always the same either.. what brand scales did you get?
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    Scales are inaccurate.

    Try this:
    test

    drink 1L of water

    retest :)

    Calipers are the best at home testing IMO. mm don't lie. Don't worry about the actual %'s.
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