Looking for BF caliper tips

[Paynne]

I just bought a set of digital calipers. I realize that they are only going to be somewhat accurate, but I'm trying to get at accurate as I can with them.

I'm getting a fluctuation of ~3% everytime I use them so I've been taking 3 readings and using the average. Also, I always measure the same side of the body. I noticed that 2 hours after a workout it was ~1.5% lower than in the morning. I guess it was from dehydration even though I drank like a fish.

Anyone have any tips?

 

[DrChiro]

they are only going to be so accurate and depend on so many things that they are not the best indicator of bodyfat, especially if you are doing it yourself.

i would pick 2-3 points and measure them weekly and just make sure that they are coming down in measurements....dont worry about calculating your BF% because it will be off significantly.

Jodie and I are going to the same guy every 2 weeks and he does 9 points with the calipers....even still there is much room for error.

Level of hydration, tester error, bad pinching technique, wrong sites (everyone has a different distribution of fat that is not taken into account when these calculations are made)

Bioelectrical impedence is the best method for testing it (besides hydrostatic weighing).

 

[Monolith]

Isnt bioelectrical impedence what those bodyfat scales use? Ive always heard those things are horribly inaccurate.

 

[JLB001]

They use a form of it but there is a much more acurate way of doing it. The machines are usually at dr's offices.

 

[Monolith]

Originally posted by JLB001
They use a form of it but there is a much more acurate way of doing it. The machines are usually at dr's offices.

Really? That's cool... i always thought hydrostatic testing was the best you could get. I'll def have to ask my doc about the bioelectric one next time... easier than jumping into a tank of water.

 

[Jodi]

hydrostatic weighing is THE best way to measure bodyfat. Then, IMO, calipers and lastely bio-impedence. I've used the ones at doc's office and a few different ones at gyms and none of them are even close to accurate.

 

[I'm Trying]

Is the hydrostatic testing the type that you hook up electrodes to your hand and to your feet??
Thanks!!

 

[Paynne]

My wife has had the bioelectrical impedence test done at "Curves" (yeah I know but at least she's finally doing SOMETHING). She's like 115 lbs and it's showing 35% bf. Of course she can't bench 10 lbs but that seems pretty high. I bet the metal rod in her back is totally whacking the reading out I'll have to check her with the calipers.

 

[Monolith]

Originally posted by I'm Trying
Is the hydrostatic testing the type that you hook up electrodes to your hand and to your feet??
Thanks!!

Nope, thats the bioelectrical impedence one. Hydrostatic weighing is where you get into a tank of water and sit on a scale.

 

[DrChiro]

Actually there is a new more accurate way of using bioelectical impedence that is MORE accurate than hydrostatic weighing for most people...and NO it isnt those crappy scales that you can buy at wal-mart.

The machines are only available at certain Dr's offices and some longevity clinics at the moment and are large machines that you step inside.

(hydrostatic weighing WAS the gold standard of BF but this should surpass it soon as it becomes more common)

 

[Jodi]

Really? Cool!! What does it look like? What kind of doctor's offices have them?

I'd love to try one of these out.

 

[Monolith]

Originally posted by DrChiro
Actually there is a new more accurate way of using bioelectical impedence that is MORE accurate than hydrostatic weighing for most people...and NO it isnt those crappy scales that you can buy at wal-mart.

The machines are only available at certain Dr's offices and some longevity clinics at the moment and are large machines that you step inside.

(hydrostatic weighing WAS the gold standard of BF but this should surpass it soon as it becomes more common)

Have you got any more info on this? Like the name of the company that manufactures the equipment? I'd love to find out if there's any testing areas near me.

 

[I'm Trying]

Originally posted by Monolith
Nope, thats the bioelectrical impedence one. Hydrostatic weighing is where you get into a tank of water and sit on a scale.

How accurate are the bioelectric impedence testers??
Thanks!!

 

[I'm Trying]

Originally posted by Paynne
My wife has had the bioelectrical impedence test done at "Curves" (yeah I know but at least she's finally doing SOMETHING). She's like 115 lbs and it's showing 35% bf. Of course she can't bench 10 lbs but that seems pretty high. I bet the metal rod in her back is totally whacking the reading out I'll have to check her with the calipers.

My mom is the gym manager (actually now a district manager) for Curves.

 

[Jodi]

Originally posted by I'm Trying
How accurate are the bioelectric impedence testers??
Thanks!!

The standard one are NOT accurate at all. The ones Dr. Chiro is talking about are different than the standard ones and can't be found at a gym or a store.

 

[DrChiro]

exactly Jodi...those scales arent worth a damn...dont waste your money.

I'll see if I can get the name of the machine so you can find out if it is in your area....not sure off hand what it is called.

 

[Monolith]

bump for the doc

 

[camarosuper6]

Damn it, and I thought WalMart had everything.