What do you guys think of underwater body fat tests??

[caseywhitcher]

Hey all, I'm in the middle of cutting up and I'm really concentrating on getting my bodyfat down.

These guys http://www.getdunked.com/index1.htm are coming to my gym, and I signed up to have the test done. The only thing is that it costs $40. ( i havn't paid yet)

So I was thinking I have there test done, then I go in and have one of the trainers do the electronic test so I can get a good idea of how far off the electronic one is for future reference?

What do you guys think? anyone totally opposed or for doing the underwater thing?

Thanks,

KC

 

[TheIcon2]

I can't remember for sure but I believe I remember reading that the BEST way to find out how much fat you have on you is to melt it off your body and weight it.(obviously we can't do that) The second best is the water method you speak of. I could be wrong maybe someone else can comment.

 

[Robboe]

Originally posted by TheIcon2
I can't remember for sure but I believe I remember reading that the BEST way to find out how much fat you have on you is to melt it off your body and weight it.(obviously we can't do that)

Well that sounds right.

"How much muscle do you have?"

"I dunno, let me just cut it off and we'll weigh it."




You're right though, the water bath is the best method.

It may be expensive, but only go about every 3 months to assess your progression. It'll probably be worth it for precise measurements.

 

[bigss75]

I always wanted to try the water dunk bodyfat test. I dont know a place that does that

 

[Robboe]

Universities and hospitals.

Just phone them up and see if they do recreational tests and for what price.

There may also be some specialised places in your region that do them? Maybe health farms?

 

[ponyboy]

$40 is a really good price as well. Any place I have checked usually charges at least double that much. Don't bother comparing it to electronic scales though, hydrostatic weighing is definitely the best way to go right now, at least until DXA gets cheaper.

 

[Leslie]

I would do it for fun. But the bottomline is it doesn't matter what your BF% is, what matters is what you LOOK like! Mirrors are your best "scales"

 

[ZECH]

Originally posted by Leslie2196
I would do it for fun. But the bottomline is it doesn't matter what your BF% is, what matters is what you LOOK like! Mirrors are your best "scales"

I totally agree with Muffy! I just had a friend do a contest two weekends ago and we measured his bodyfat and he came in at 4.5%. He has won his class last four shows. But this time he got second(got ripped-found out a judge was swayed!!) He thought it was his bodyfat and said next time he wanted to get to 3.5%. Damn! I don't think you would really notice from 3 to 4???

 

[Duncan]

Actually, Dual X-ray absorptiometry is the best way to measure bodyfat, underwater testing uses assumptions that make it slightly, but nevertheless, flawed.

Having said that, it is not economically feasible to get a test using DXA, hydrostatic would be the best most can afford.

 

[caseywhitcher]

coolio folks,

I'm gonna go ahead and do it just for kicks, September 3rd. I'm with you leslie, I generally only concern myself with the mirror, and the tape measure. I will let everyone know how it goes.