How to get Best Body Fat % Measurement?

horsewhisper91

Ok, what I'd like to find out is...is there any other way to find out body fat percentage without a scale? I know there was one other with grabbing onto the bars of one device the athletic trainer used to have when involved in college sports. I just don't want to shovel out any money on a scale that would give a reading of it when I just got a digital scale. I just needed something better than the old one we had, that was old style measuring scale.

What are the best systems to find this out? I know maybe the doctor is an option, but rather not since it cost too much just for one visit.

maqsmj

there is 3 ways to do it,

first one by measuring tape which i believe every house has one from their grandma's

and here is the way to calculate it using measuring tape

http://www.linear-software.com/online.html

or

http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/home-body-fat-test-2774-143.html



2nd one by using clippers and any gym do have them

3rd one which is the least accurate but the easiest , you will just look at pic and determine urs, this can be used more of a baseline before u get your accurate results

http://www.builtlean.com/2012/09/24/body-fat-percentage-men-women/


i hope i helped

feel free to ask anything, please send me a message

chefsmash

Underwater weighing or DEXA would be most accurate; I personally like DEXA for measuring body composition, provided you get it done at a place that specializes in that (apparently there is different software for different purposes). It gives a detailed breakdown, but it's costly... ran me about $100.

There's also the Bod Pod, but I didn't care for that too much. Slightly cheaper.

And, as mentioned already, much cheaper options are to use a BIA device, tape measure, or skinfold calipers. Out of those three, skinfold would be most accurate *IF* done correctly and if consistent points are used for measuring.

Shock_Wave

I would out side of buying and using the calipers correctly..

You could use this.
http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html

Shock_Wave

*

horsewhisper91

Awesome, I'll have to look at some of those sites. The chart quick one did give me an idea of my setting. But yeah, I definitely would like to get more into finding this stuff out since it would give me an idea of where I stand health wise.

And yes, I remember the old sewing measuring tape.

Mutant13

Calipers are probably the best option when you weigh up simplicity/cost and accuracy.

Beware of the scale measurements, dependent on a lot of variables and can be very inaccurate.

Firefox7275

You can't do accurate calipers on yourself, you can't reach your back fat for a start nor have your arms in the correct positions, and it takes training and practice to get right. I found the measuring tape method inaccurate for my shape. Bod Pod or a medical grade impedance machine (lay on the floor, pads on your wrists and ankles) are accurate, stand on or handheld gadgets are not.