which caliper body fat percentage test?

j4nash

Which caliper body fat percentage is the most accurate or is that even a valid question? Or does one work better for a specific body type?

Had my personal trainer do the caliper measurements.

Jackson Pollock 4-site : 17.41%
Durnim/Womersley : 21.95%
Parillo: 14.13%

On a side note, the Tanta Scale put me at 19.1%.

Tw1zzler

I'm not sure which method of calculation is more accurate...each one uses different formulas. I have an Omron body analyzer and some calipers.. my calipers always give me a lower reading than my analyzer. I just look for improvements within each method. The accountant in me says to average the %. I'd bet you are closer to the 17.41%. (i'm about 25% no way you are 22%)

j4nash

thanks, and agree w/ the using as tracking.

which should I use to figure out when to stop cutting and focus on bulking since I've got an 8% spread? i'm getting near a point where I don't think I want to go any lower weight wise (hopefully I didn't just answer my own question)

amonkey794

thanks, and agree w/ the using as tracking.

which should I use to figure out when to stop cutting and focus on bulking since I've got an 8% spread? i'm getting near a point where I don't think I want to go any lower weight wise (hopefully I didn't just answer my own question)

Try visual cues if you don't trust the numbers. Look in the mirror and if you feel like there is too much fat now, cut. Vise-versa

Sarauk2sf

thanks, and agree w/ the using as tracking.

which should I use to figure out when to stop cutting and focus on bulking since I've got an 8% spread? i'm getting near a point where I don't think I want to go any lower weight wise (hopefully I didn't just answer my own question)

You can do a quick calculation to gauge. We put your at roughly 19 -20% when you were 265 about a month ago, which is 212lb LBM and 53lb fat. Assuming it is all fat loss, at 15% BF your weight would be 250lb. How much do you weigh now?

Obviously, it is personal preference, but I would hesitate bulking at anything more than 15%.

The main factor however which would have me advising against doing it now is the fact that you are only just starting to lift and so bulking at this stage will not be as efficient at gaining muscle as you are going to be going through a learning/relearning phase as well as 'newbie' neuromuscular adaptation. I would really recommend staying at a deficit for a while longer, lift, take advantage of newbie gains while losing BF for a while longer. In say 3 months, your form should be getting good, you should be able to make good progress with your lifts and strength gains and could well be nearer to a 15% BF.

However, it boils down to what you are comfortable bulking/cutting at.

We will be happy to reassess your BF% if you wish, however, out of the three, and assuming some weight loss since we assessed your BF%, you would be nearer the first (lowest) calculation.

j4nash

I am at 253 give or take and I'm sure I've lost some muscle, hurt my back 4 weeks ago and haven't been able to do much. See below for pictures from today and thanks:

j4nash

Sarauk2sf

What is your calorie intake at the moment? Did you go from 265 - 253 in a month?

j4nash

2420 calories a day and yes.

Sarauk2sf

2420 calories a day and yes.

You say you hurt your back. Did you reduce/stop exercise due to this?

j4nash

2420 calories a day and yes.

You say you hurt your back. Did you reduce/stop exercise due to this?

Yes, to about 1-2 times a week, just cardio but was doing 4-5x a week prior to getting hurt.

heybales

Which caliper body fat percentage is the most accurate or is that even a valid question? Or does one work better for a specific body type?

Had my personal trainer do the caliper measurements.

Jackson Pollock 4-site : 17.41%
Durnim/Womersley : 21.95%
Parillo: 14.13%

On a side note, the Tanta Scale put me at 19.1%.

Study results of accuracy between 3 and 7 site methods. Don't know about the ones you got there.

http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/BodyComp.html

Also calculator of course, and links to those sites.

j4nash

Which caliper body fat percentage is the most accurate or is that even a valid question? Or does one work better for a specific body type?

Had my personal trainer do the caliper measurements.

Jackson Pollock 4-site : 17.41%
Durnim/Womersley : 21.95%
Parillo: 14.13%

On a side note, the Tanta Scale put me at 19.1%.

Study results of accuracy between 3 and 7 site methods. Don't know about the ones you got there.

http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/BodyComp.html

Also calculator of course, and links to those sites.

Thanks, they're a 4-4-9 test respectively. I am missing one of the measurements for the jackson/pollock 7 site test. Looks like they're both similar for the J/P test.

Sarauk2sf

Re body fat % - we would put you a couple of percentage points lower than the last time - 17 - 18%, which is in line with the first calculator.

As your weight loss is pretty fast (although some of it may be water weight with the reduced exercise), you should up your calories a bit. I would add 200 calories each week for the next 2 weeks and sit there for a couple of weeks to see where you are.

j4nash

thanks, my weight swings about 6-7 pounds a day but the 265 and 253 numbers were both morning weigh-ins so fairly accurate. i've upped my cals, good idea anyways since I've started lifting. thanks for the help!