Anybody here use digital bf calipers?

[Bradicallyman]

Like this one?
Bodybuilding.com - Sequoia Fitness Warrior Digital Body Mass Caliper - Large Digital Display! On sale now!

Or this one?
Bodybuilding.com - AccuFitness FatTrack II Digital Body Fat Caliper - With Free MyoTape! On sale now!

Just wondering how accurate they are or if they are a waste of money.

Thanks!

 

[Marat]

I have the second one.

In terms of accuracy, it's very dependent on the skill of the user. However, it's pretty use to use. It's not going to be as accurate as a DEXA scan but it will give you a ballpark figure. If you are looking to measure on a weekly basis, its probably not accurate enough given the small changes. If you are looking for something to measure yourself every month or whatever increment will give you some noticeable changes, it's a pretty good device.

 

[juggernaut]

m11 is right. It does depend on the user. I use the 2nd one for my clients and members all the time.

 

[Bradicallyman]

i think I'm going to pick one up, thanks for the input guys!

 

[rantorcha]

I have the second one as well, but I haven't used it in years. I tend to go by how I look in the mirror and how my clothes are feeling on me. Good luck and let us know how you like them.

 

[Bennuendo]

I had that second one and didn't really like it.. and got rid of it.. it seemed that I could do the reading 5 times in a row and get slight differences.. I'm not sure exactly what it was.. maybe the sensitivity of it knowing when to give you a read out.. sometimes it'd give me a readout before I was fully pinched down on my skin..

It's decent though to give you a rough idea on things.. better than those scales that you stand barefoot on.. but there are always more accurate/more expensive ways of figuring it out.

 

[Marat]

I'm not sure exactly what it was.. maybe the sensitivity of it knowing when to give you a read out.. sometimes it'd give me a readout before I was fully pinched down on my skin..

Just for clarification purposes for the OP, theres a blue button that you hit with your thumb when you want the measurement to be taken.

 

[Bennuendo]

Just for clarification purposes for the OP, theres a blue button that you hit with your thumb when you want the measurement to be taken.

Yeah.. I remember it being something like that.. I don't know, I got rid of it years ago.. I just remember that it varied so much that there was no way it could be accurate.. probably would have been better if someone else was checking it for me. I didn't really like the button on the "arm" of the caliper

But yeah.. I forgot the mechanics of it until you posted and I got a look at a better picture of one

^I believe his thumb is on the button in this pic

 

[Marat]

I just remember that it varied so much that there was no way it could be accurate.. probably would have been better if someone else was checking it for me. I didn't really like the button on the "arm" of the caliper

I agree with all of this. I use it almost just for kicks, gives me a general idea. Week to week improvements are best gauged by the mirror. But we use what we have. Monthly DEXA scans are out of the question for most of us.

 

[Bennuendo]

I agree with all of this. I use it almost just for kicks, gives me a general idea. Week to week improvements are best gauged by the mirror. But we use what we have. Monthly DEXA scans are out of the question for most of us.

Yeah I've heard of the DEXA scans.. I don't think I'd go that route myself but they seem like they'd be accurate..

The mirror/before&after pics are great.. If I'm aiming to lose weight I weigh myself monthly.. take measurements of my waist..

I was actually looking for my caliper the other day but realized I sold it at a yard sale haha.. but true.. for a round about number it's decent.