I found this website and plugged in my #'s to each test and my bf% ranged anywhere from 13.97 to 18.19. That is such a huge difference, I don't know which measurement to go by.

Does anyone know or have information on which test is the most accurate? I'd like to have an accurate idea so I can track my progress-I'm a #'s person!


http://walking.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=walking&cdn=health&tm=3&gps=68_303_1436_720&f=00&su=p726.2.152.ip_p674.2.400.ip_p284.8.150.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.linear-software.com/online.html

I would suggest geting a direct measure of your BF (either by calipers or BIA) rather than relying on indirect calculations based on meaurements. Trust me, it will be more accurate.

I bought an Omron HBF-306C bodyfat monitor from amazon.com (my present to myself for Xmas). Cost me about $40 US with shipping. I love it - usually gives me BF% that are reproducible to within <1.0% daily. I'll measure five to ten times on a given day, and the variability is VERY small (0.5% max).

The value for me is that, in conjunction with a decent digital scale, I can track weight loss AND fat loss as I progress toward my goals. This is key if you are cutting fat - you do not want your weight loss to be from losing lean muscle mass. Hope this helps.

Thanks~ I did actually buy a caliper, not digital- it's an Accu-measure - a simple plastic one.
In the directions, it only uses one measurement- on the lower abdomen. I don't see how that could be accurate, since people store fat in different areas?
So online they have these different methods of calculating (in the link) in which you measure the fat on your chest, abdomen, back, biceps, etc... but I got all different percentages depending on the method. :dreamy:

... which probably indicates that you are not properly trained in their use. Not a criticism, but simply an observation.

I had my body fat done twice using calipers, once at my corporatehealth center and once at the gym - I also thought that they should be using the 7 point method rather than 1 point or 3 points to improve the accuracy. In the end I went with the impedance method, as I can do it whenever I want, and for me at least it seems to be highly consistent.

With electrical impedence method vs. caliper method did you get the same results? In Dec w/ electrical I had 15% bf. How much does an electrical caliper cost?

*Also, I did measure several times and got the same #'s exactly where the pics online show to measure. I put the same #'s in and got different results depending on the test.

Maybe you (or anyone?) can help evaluate which seems to be more accurate?

Here are my stats:

136lbs

Jackson/Pollock 7 Caliper method:
Chest: 3 mm
Abdominal: 16
Thigh: 17
Tricep: 8
Supscapular: 9
Suprailiac: 7
Midaxillary: 7
Results: Bf%: 14.75

Jackson/Pollock 3:
Tricep 8
Suprailiac 7
Thigh 17

Results: Bf%13.97

Durnin/Wormersly method:
Bicep 3
Tricep 8
Subscapular 9
Suprailiac 7
Results: bf% 18.19

Thanks for posting the data. Made me realize something:

You should be psyched you have 15% body fat! For a woman that is at the lower limit of the scale - unless you are thinking about competing, you are sitting pretty. Whatever you are doing, keep doing it (and tell my wife your secret).

To answer your question - I had a 3pt caliper test done on December 17th, which had me at 231 and 24% BF. I have since used the impedance method, which has consistently given me 20% at new years, now down to 222 and 18% BF as of this morning.

The Omron is not a caliper - check it out on amazon.com (search for Omron HBF-306).

Thanks- I'll look that up.
I don't plan on competing but I want to look that good eventually! :)