Measuring Body Fat

[MtnBikerChk]

I hear calipers are hard to use (and easy to use WRONG). And I know those body fat scales are crap.

Any suggestions?

btw, this is my new favorite place to order health related stuff (calipers, hrms).

http://www.chponline.com/CHPStore.asp?WCI=wciWelcome

 

[Arnold]

You're right they are hard to use.

I guess if you're just measuring yourself, and you use the same pinch spots each time, they should work fine.

Don't expect accurate %'s, but use them for measuring progress. Know what I mean?

Either way, experience will be the key.

 

[MtnBikerChk]

How cheap is too cheap for a caliper?

 

[HickeyNC]

I pretty much agree with what Prince said. If you measure in the same spot every time you can get and idea, but it wont be accurate. The best i have heard of was to do a Hydrostatic (i think thats what its called) test. Its where they dip you into a tank and they can calculate it. I think it has something to do with the ammount of water displaced. Not too sure on the details. Anyway, i was going to get one done at school, but the health center charges a hundred bucks for it. Too expensive for me right now.

The set of calipers i have now i got with one of my orders from netrition.com. You can get one for free if you order over 75 dollars worth of merchandise.

 

[Dero]

Originally posted by HickeyNC
I pretty much agree with what Prince said. If you measure in the same spot every time you can get and idea, but it wont be accurate. The best i have heard of was to do a Hydrostatic (i think thats what its called) test. Its where they dip you into a tank and they can calculate it. I think it has something to do with the ammount of water displaced. Not too sure on the details. Anyway, i was going to get one done at school, but the health center charges a hundred bucks for it. Too expensive for me right now.

The set of calipers i have now i got with one of my orders from netrition.com. You can get one for free if you order over 75 dollars worth of merchandise.

Hmmmm,interesting !! But how do they know how much skin/bone/blood... one has in his/her body that will ALSO displace water???

 

[Arnold]

Originally posted by MtnBikerChk
How cheap is too cheap for a caliper?

I've seen them as low as $10, but if I were going to buy them I would get the more expensive digital calipers.

 

[HickeyNC]

Originally posted by Dero

Hmmmm,interesting !! But how do they know how much skin/bone/blood... one has in his/her body that will ALSO displace water???

Dont quote me on this. But i think it has something to do with the difference between the density of muscle vs fat. Obviously is denser than fat so a person who weighs 200 lbs with 5% BF will displace less water than someone who weighs 200 lbs but has 25% BF.

I believe the ammount of water displaced is put into a table with your height and weight to get your BF %. Again, im not 100% sure this is correct, but i think it follows the basic concept.

 

[Dero]

Originally posted by HickeyNC


Dont quote me on this. But i think it has something to do with the difference between the density of muscle vs fat. Obviously is denser than fat so a person who weighs 200 lbs with 5% BF will displace less water than someone who weighs 200 lbs but has 25% BF.

I believe the ammount of water displaced is put into a table with your height and weight to get your BF %. Again, im not 100% sure this is correct, but i think it follows the basic concept.

What is the name of this... devise/test?
It's not Hydrostatics Test, That is entirely different,has to do with
stuctural density of pipes...MBC is not going to take that test she said.Can't say I blame her!!!

 

[gopro]

Hydrostatic weighing is indeed the most accurate test, however, an experienced professional can get a pretty good reading with calipers.