Calipers for BF measurement?

lilawolf

I have very expensive regular calipers because I am an engineer. I know they say to use "skin fold" calipers, but I don't know if that is because they work differently or just because they are much cheaper than the real thing. Here is what I have:

http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-799A-6-150-Accuracy-Resolution/dp/B0029XQM9Y

Looks like the skin fold kind rotate rather than slide. Again, it seems like that is just the cheaper design but I'm not sure. Ideas? Have you ever been measured by regular calipers? Does anyone have both so that they could compare?

Thanks!

lilawolf

Help! I have enough muscle and a large enough frame that I want my goal to be based on body fat percentage rather than BMI or a number out of a hat.

a_mandolin_

The caliper method can be pretty good or very very off, depending on the experience of the person doing it. I had it done at the gym and the guy measured it at 12% (I'm a female and can grab handfulls of belly, that ain't even close. Plus another 20% would be more accurate). While having an "accurate" number may be enticing, you might be better off just using a camera and tape measure - dropping measurments, more definition...

lilawolf

Yes, I understand that there will be some error. I am just not sure if I can use what I have to get an idea, or if I have to purchase the other kind.

Rogstar

I don't see any huge problem with using these electronic engineering calipers for body measurement...however if that one is anything like the pair in my desk, I would think it was meant to be a torture device!

Mine have metal grips with very sharp points (on both external and internal measuring sides) to better define the dimension point. There is a screw on the edge to prevent movement of the grips...but there is no true clamping action (spring or otherwise), just pushing it as far as it can go with my thumb until I screw it down. It's by TCM, which I think is a German company.

The plastic ones for body fat that I've had used on me are much more comfortable (whomever does the measuring pinches harder), and the grips are pushed together by springs, so the default is closed and they close around the fat. I haven't had my body fat officially tested in over a decade though, so that may have changed...

Hey, but if your calipers are more skin-friendly, go for it! Measuring directly (in many different locations) is more accurate than BMI.