Using Calipers correctly

bathedinshadow
bathedinshadow Posts: 117 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So I've purchased some calipers to test for body fat. I've been using a scale, which I know is inaccurate. I'm also aware that calipers can be very inaccurate, so I'm trying to learn how to properly use them. I've done a bunch of reading on the best equations and whatnot. But my problem has to do with the actual pinching of the abdominal fat. I read somewhere, but I can't seem to find it, that you spread your fingers apart about 1.5 inches and then grab 2 cm away from your belly button. My problem is, when I do that, I can't hold it, it just slips out from my fingers. I'm having somebody help me as well, and it slips from their fingers as well. I have to spread my fingers like 3 inches apart to really grab. The only exception is if I push really hard and grab deep into my abdomen, but it hurts like a b%^&h! Should it hurt that much?

Replies

  • halleymw
    halleymw Posts: 246 Member
    You have to grab really hard. Scooby has a good video of how to do it.

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/2011/07/05/how-to-use-skinfold-calipers-to-measure-bodyfat/
  • bathedinshadow
    bathedinshadow Posts: 117 Member
    Thanks. Yeah I've seen that video before. I think perhaps my problem is that I'm not grabbing at the exact right spot - specifically my abs. Plus this guy in the video does everything on his left side, but literally everything I've read says to take measurements from the right.

    I've looked all over for very clear video, but most just rush through it and seem a tad careless. I feel like I'm grabbing muscle at that distance from y bellybutton. If I go farther out, I'm practically at the suprailiac point of measurement location. If I go farther up, then I can grab fat better.

    The suprailiac is another location I'm not sure I'm hitting right. All the videos (apart from 2 that aren't clear at all) are for men, and the locations is slightly different.
  • caly_man
    caly_man Posts: 281 Member
    OP, did you learn any more tricks?

    I ordered a caliper myself, hasnt arrived yet but ive been practicing my pinching.

    the problem with all the videos I see, is that all the models are always FIT!, and I've got a serious belly roll, so am I suppose to grab the whole thing as much as I can grab, hmm, I dont know.

    since i'll be doing this by myself, I'm going to be trying the 1 point pinch test, the suprailiac as my only test point. The author below is convinced its a good enough estimate of bf%, plus I just need to track general progress.

    there's even a calculator that will crunch your number.

    http://www.hussmanfitness.org/caliper.htm

    Im hoping to get some feedback here as to how much to pinch.

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