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How to get Best Body Fat % Measurement?

horsewhisper91
horsewhisper91 Posts: 456 Member
edited January 6 in Health and Weight Loss
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.

Replies

  • maqsmj
    maqsmj Posts: 697
    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
    chefsmash Posts: 53 Member
    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
    Shock_Wave Posts: 1,573 Member
    I would out side of buying and using the calipers correctly..

    You could use this.
    http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html
  • Shock_Wave
    Shock_Wave Posts: 1,573 Member
    *
  • horsewhisper91
    horsewhisper91 Posts: 456 Member
    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
    Mutant13 Posts: 2,485 Member
    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
    Firefox7275 Posts: 2,040 Member
    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.
This discussion has been closed.

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