Body Fat Testing with Calipers

thedreamhazer

I just received a pair of calipers in the mail. I know they take a little experience and know-how to use correctly, so I'm still figuring things out, but I do have one question that I think you all might be able to answer for me.

I'm trying to figure out what formula to use to calculate body fat % with the measurements I get. I was looking at this website http://www.linear-software.com/online.html which calculates body fat % based on a few different formulas. I'm just not sure which one people trust the most and I'm having trouble finding information. I'm inclined to think that the more input fields the better, but I wanted to see what other people who use calipers are going by.

Thanks in advance!

alyssamiller77

Unfortunately this probablyy won't help you much now since you already got yours but I got the accu-measure 3000 calipers. Came very highly recommended by a number of sources as the most accurate self-measuring device out there. it relies on only one measurement and comes with a chart to turn your measurement into a body fat percentage.

TrainingWithTonya

I just finished my coursework for my bachelors degree in exercise physiology and I've been a certified personal trainer for 15+ years. I use the ACSM 7 site formulas that are based on the Jackson and Pollock studies of body composition because you are correct in assuming that the more sites you measure the more accurate the measurement and Jackson and Pollock are the most widely respected experts on body composition analysis using calipers. Also, practice, practice, practice! Recruit everyone you know and practice on them. Then go to a gym and find a trainer that will compare notes with you. You measure someone and then have the trainer measure them and see how close you get. Make sure the trainer is well trained in using calipers too. Home use calipers shouldn't be trusted until you are well trained/practiced in using them. Once you are, then they are +/- 4% in accuracy with these formulas.

Men:
Body Density = 1.112 - 0.00043499 (sum of 7 skinfolds) + 0.00000055 (sum of 7 skinfolds)^2 - 0.00028826 (age)

Women:
Body Density = 1.097 - 0.00046971 (sum of 7 skinfolds) + 0.00000056 (sum of 7 skinfolds)^2 - 0.00012828 (age)

For Both Men and Women:
7 sites used = chest, midaxillary, triceps, subscapular, abdomen, suprailiac, and thigh
Body Fat % = (495/Body Density) - 450