what do you use to measure body fat???

karrielynn80
karrielynn80 Posts: 395 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have been "trying" to use a hand held body fat indicator, but it doesn't seem very consistant. i.e., i am loosing inches in my waist, but its going up (and i follow a pretty lean diet 25/25/50) - curious what everyone else uses, i know there are several variations, what do you use & what is the cost?

I'd much rather go by a body fat % than the scale... and it adds to the encouragment of loosing inches (when it's acurate)...
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Replies

  • Crazy4Healthy
    Crazy4Healthy Posts: 626 Member
    Personally, I also purchased a hand held, but have been going back to using calipers because I find them to be much more consistent and I also like the number better. :laugh:
  • channa007
    channa007 Posts: 419 Member
    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/body-fat-calculator/
  • antizoni1
    antizoni1 Posts: 334
    My Pants
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,023 Member
    I have access to a BOD POD in the facility I work in.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    I use an Omron HBF-500 body composition monitor. I've read that someone tested it, and found it to be accurate to within 2%.

    I bought it for $60 CAD from Costco.

    Been using it for 6ish months, it's been VERY consistent. No complaints so far!
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/body-fat-calculator/

    I find this to be insanely inaccurate. For me, it's off by 6%, which is a lot by anyone's standards.
  • Magnamus
    Magnamus Posts: 66 Member
    I use my eyes (best) and online calculators.

    Formerly I used to use calipers and that was by far the most accurate method.

    The worst is Weight watchers scale resistance, it's usually off by +6-8% in my experience. (which is demoralizing)
  • Dad_of_3
    Dad_of_3 Posts: 517 Member
    I'm so fat I have to use the old fashioned ice tongs:

    image165.jpg
  • TubbsMcGee
    TubbsMcGee Posts: 1,058 Member
    Maybe switch your macros to 35/35/30?

    I agree, those hand-held devices aren't that accurate, nor are the weight scales that also offer that function.
    Honestly, I've had my bf% taken "professionally" by PT's at the gym where they used the foot device, as well as the electrodes device, and within 2 months, my bf% had varied between 22% and 12% which didn't make sense.

    The best way to get it done would be the water displacement test, but I think you'd have to go to a medical facility for that. In the mean time, you may be able to get a slightly more accurate reading with the calipers.
  • bacitracin
    bacitracin Posts: 921 Member
    my GF and I use this: http://www.amazon.com/Omron-HBF-306C-Loss-Monitor-Black/dp/B000FYZMYK

    and ten pounds ago it had me at 19%, now it has me at 20%, when I almost have visible abs. It has also been known to vary about 4-5% from one second to another, or one tile on the floor to another, etc. I asked my gym (LA Fitness) if they had calipers or something more accurate, but they use the same machine for the personal trainers as I do. FML, right?

    Yeah, go by inches or belt notches, I guess, eh? :)
  • Annaruthus
    Annaruthus Posts: 301 Member
    I use body fat calipers. I also take photos every week, and compare them with the previous week, and the previous month to see how I'm doing. These two things together make for a very good measuring stick. The photos don't give me a number obviously, but they do remind me that I change a little everyday, and I just don't see it!
  • Hayesgang
    Hayesgang Posts: 624
    Bod Pod every 3 months
  • warmachinejt
    warmachinejt Posts: 2,162 Member
    41C5qeyAdiL._AA300_.jpg
    pretty dang accurate for me... use it at the same once a week before eating or drinking/showering/exercising
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    My Pants

    :D Certainly, a quick glance in the mirror is enough for me to tell whether I'm on target or not.
  • Alonnea
    Alonnea Posts: 70 Member
    We have a bod pod available at the base we're located at.
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/body-fat-calculator/

    That site gave me exactly the same number as my hand held...neat!
  • karrielynn80
    karrielynn80 Posts: 395 Member
    why would i need to change up my ratios? just curious - i'm trying to reduce my body fat, so i would think i'd need to keep the % lower? i make sure those are healthy fats too - not crappy food, but as fresh as i can get - so i assume i'm getting a good amount of healthy fat.

    just curious.
  • karrielynn80
    karrielynn80 Posts: 395 Member
    41C5qeyAdiL._AA300_.jpg
    pretty dang accurate for me... use it at the same once a week before eating or drinking/showering/exercising

    that's the kind my gym has, and it's gone from 19.8 > 19.5 > 22.8 > 22.1 ... i do it at the same time everytime & if i'm loosing inches per the measuring tape, i don't see how that could be accurate... lol
  • karrielynn80
    karrielynn80 Posts: 395 Member
    i do the pics too & measure. i just like having something else to track - i'm a "tracker" lol...

    i think i'll see if i can get some calipers - seems like they'd be good b/c i can measure the body fat % in different areas right? like my butt, abs, etc???
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    I just got a body fat %/ water level scale last night. I use it keep the front door open when I run outside, cause Im not sure what this water number means and I dont like the bf% number.

    :smile:
  • jtakingcareofherself
    jtakingcareofherself Posts: 144 Member
    Bod Pod!

    Find the one nearest you!

    http://www.cosmed.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1262&Itemid=310&lang=en
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    oh also - progression of dirty sexting pics sent over three month periods.
  • cyclerjenn
    cyclerjenn Posts: 833 Member
    calipers! I have used scales and hand helds, Nothing seems to be as accurate as my calipers.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    i do the pics too & measure. i just like having something else to track - i'm a "tracker" lol...

    i think i'll see if i can get some calipers - seems like they'd be good b/c i can measure the body fat % in different areas right? like my butt, abs, etc???

    oh body fat % is just one overall number! not relative to an area!
  • warmachinejt
    warmachinejt Posts: 2,162 Member
    you're doing it wrong. My measurements are really accurate. Maybe you're doing this after drinking water or during exercise or after it. You also have to hold it straight cover the whole metal pieces with the ball of your thumbs and don't move at all.
  • KerenCutNShoot
    KerenCutNShoot Posts: 16
    thanks, that link was helpful, not that I liked the answers, but now I know here I stand....on my way to the gym! :smile:
  • karrielynn80
    karrielynn80 Posts: 395 Member
    oh also - progression of dirty sexting pics sent over three month periods.

    lol ain't it the truth!!! LOVE IT!!!
  • karrielynn80
    karrielynn80 Posts: 395 Member
    you're doing it wrong. My measurements are really accurate. Maybe you're doing this after drinking water or during exercise or after it. You also have to hold it straight cover the whole metal pieces with the ball of your thumbs and don't move at all.

    I do it after i workout ea am - no food, sometimes a lil water - when is the best time, is it like the scale? (after i pee - ya soo ladylike i am lol - in the am?, assuming i don't have to disrobe for this one lol). ... thanks, if that's the case, i'll ask to borrow our gyms for the night & try that before going to calipers...
  • dare2love81
    dare2love81 Posts: 928 Member
    bump
  • warmachinejt
    warmachinejt Posts: 2,162 Member
    after waking up and peeing i do it...

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