Apologies for having to start a thread but I've looked around and can't differentiate between the different methods. Could someone tell me what the best way to measure body fat is?

Thanks.

I personally use the Omrom HBF-306, a hand-held BF meter available from Amazon.com for about $40 US shipped. Others here feel that calipers are the way to go - it's a personal choice. You will need to have someone else help you in the 7 pt measurement, since it requires a skinfold on your back.

I am concerned that people are not trained to provide consistent measurements with calipers unless they are maybe a personal trainer or health professional. Since I like to measure my BF every 3-4 days (along with my weight), the hand-held reader is the way to go.

Gives you a pretty accurate reading in 7 seconds, and you can do it any number of times throughout the day to inprove statistical accuracy if you want. I find that for me, the variance is under 0.5% over the course of a day - as good as any caliper will get.

Kevin

Apologies for having to start a thread but I've looked around and can't differentiate between the different methods. Could someone tell me what the best way to measure body fat is?

Thanks.

Does it really matter? If you get it from some calculator on the web, a caliper reading by a PT, or an immersion test at a local university?

I think we know when we are fat or lean. The mirror tells us a lot or you can send picture into this forum and the bunch here will give you their guess.

Does it really matter? If you get it from some calculator on the web, a caliper reading by a PT, or an immersion test at a local university?

Well, yeah, it does. Best to not waste money on an impedance scale, for one.

Well, yeah, it does. Best to not waste money on an impedance scale, for one.
All methods have problems, I agree an impedance scale wouldn't be my choice. I assume imersion test would be most accurate.

But my point is what difference is there between a measurement of 21% and one of 16%, don't say 5% points because that could be an human/machine error in read. I look at the picture in your avatar and I say 17% but it could be higher or lower, I can't see a back shot or lower body.

But what changes would someone make if they were a 16% read on one measure and a 21% measure on another? Change everything they are doing? Some guy says they are 5'9" tall, I think to myself they should be at 160lbs for best weight. If it is a girl, I think 130lbs. How do I do that, from living and experiencing life for nearly 66 years. People need to be in ballpark before they worry about exact seat they need. :cool:

Does it really matter? If you get it from some calculator on the web, a caliper reading by a PT, or an immersion test at a local university?

I think we know when we are fat or lean. The mirror tells us a lot or you can send picture into this forum and the bunch here will give you their guess.

I don't think the mirror always tell us everything, and it plays with our emotions. Numbers (in bf%, weight, arm measurements, etc) also play with our emotions, but in a different way.

For people trying to really eat healthy and lose weight, an accurate bodyfat measuring method can be invaluable. I can go up or down .5% bodyfat, and not be able to tell in the mirror. I might think maybe I can see something, but some days I look in the mirror and swear I'm 20% and some days I'd swear I'm right at about 10%.

I think weekly or bi-weekly photos, weight, and bodyfat measurements are great tools to track progress. If you're not cheating, you can tell whether to increase cals, decrease cals, maybe add in an extra bout of exercise, etc. John Berardi often talks about "results based" decision making, and I think it's a great way to go. No point stumbling around in the dark.

EDIT: I just wrote this while you were posting. I see now you're talking about using different methods... and I agree, as long as you're consistent, most methods are alright.

Does it really matter? If you get it from some calculator on the web, a caliper reading by a PT, or an immersion test at a local university?

I think we know when we are fat or lean. The mirror tells us a lot or you can send picture into this forum and the bunch here will give you their guess.



Do people really go along to a University to get their body fat tested in some underwater contraption ?:lol: Do they have to phone up the Uni and ask "Hey, I want to get my body fat ratio tested, can I come along and use your underwater thingamybob" ?

I wonder if they have to wear speedos for the test to be accurate ?:D

Pissing myself laughing at that thought, that's utterly ridiculous surely unless you're a professional athlete or maybe a competing bodybuilder or something.

I agree that for your average gym going Joe trying to get defined and siz pack etc, surely mirrors, taking photos and waist measurements etc are sufficient for gauging leanness, I don't think you even have to go as far as callipers and body fat monitors, the body fat percentage itself after all just being a number.

As I always say the easiest way to gague if you're getting leaner or not is how your pants/trousers fit, you don't even need a tape measure:tu:

But what changes would someone make if they were a 16% read on one measure and a 21% measure on another? Change everything they are doing? Some guy says they are 5'9" tall, I think to myself they should be at 160lbs for best weight. If it is a girl, I think 130lbs. How do I do that, from living and experiencing life for nearly 66 years. People need to be in ballpark before they worry about exact seat they need. :cool:

See now.. just to show you how off even your expirence is... I'm 5' 7", at my skinniest, I weighed 140lbs, carried 16% bodyfat and wore a size 4 (and that's an 80's size 4). If I was the 10lb skinnier I would have probably been too ripped for my taste.

Personally, the actual Body fat % isn't important to me as far as the overall end result is. Body measurements do more for me, so since I'm measureing anyway, I enter the stats in the calculator to keep track of how the BF is progressing. Which is helpful to keep one on track, especially now, when the scale isn't really moving, but the inches have shrunk.

To me the best ones are what you can do consistantly. For me, it's measuring. I may not be hitting the right spot on the body.. but I can hit the same spot everytime, which keeps the % steady.

Do people really go along to a University to get their body fat tested in some underwater contraption ?:lol: Do they have to phone up the Uni and ask "Hey, I want to get my body fat ratio tested, can I come along and use your underwater thingamybob" ?

I wonder if they have to wear speedos for the test to be accurate ?:D

Pissing myself laughing at that thought, that's utterly ridiculous surely unless you're a professional athlete or maybe a competing bodybuilder or something.

Actually, the universities will usually adverties it and have a set day and time for the public to show up. The local one here does it every Tuesday and it's open for 4 hours. And yes... you wear a bathingsuit.

See now.. just to show you how off even your expirence is... I'm 5' 7", at my skinniest, I weighed 140lbs, carried 16% bodyfat and wore a size 4 (and that's an 80's size 4). If I was the 10lb skinnier I would have probably been too ripped for my taste.

Personally, the actual Body fat % isn't important to me as far as the overall end result is. Body measurements do more for me, so since I'm measureing anyway, I enter the stats in the calculator to keep track of how the BF is progressing. Which is helpful to keep one on track, especially now, when the scale isn't really moving, but the inches have shrunk.

To me the best ones are what you can do consistantly. For me, it's measuring. I may not be hitting the right spot on the body.. but I can hit the same spot everytime, which keeps the % steady.



Actually, the universities will usually adverties it and have a set day and time for the public to show up. The local one here does it every Tuesday and it's open for 4 hours. And yes... you wear a bathingsuit.


Okay so you might have to wait in line for several hours shivering in your speedos before getting into a cold water tank to get tested, well after all that for the guys at least there should be one bodypart that has indeed significantly shrunk:D

It costs less than 10 bucks for a set of calipers.
http://www.amazon.com/Accumeasure-Fitness-2000-Caliper-Chart/dp/B0007ZAM6U/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1201214130&sr=8-1
Then, use this site to learn how to measure your bodyfat:
http://www.rustyiron.net/bodyfat.htm

As the article says, consistency is the key...it is the only way to properly track progress... IMO, bodyfat scales and other impedance meters are junk. They vary wildly based upon many factors. Experiment: When you get right out of bed get on one and record the reading. Then, take a shower and get another reading. They will probably be different...

It costs less than 10 bucks for a set of calipers.
http://www.amazon.com/Accumeasure-Fitness-2000-Caliper-Chart/dp/B0007ZAM6U/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1201214130&sr=8-1
Then, use this site to learn how to measure your bodyfat:
http://www.rustyiron.net/bodyfat.htm

As the article says, consistency is the key...it is the only way to properly track progress... IMO, bodyfat scales and other impedance meters are junk. They vary wildly based upon many factors. Experiment: When you get right out of bed get on one and record the reading. Then, take a shower and get another reading. They will probably be different...

x2 ,Accumeasure is very accurate ,take 5-6 readings u'll find that it fluctuates around a certain no. ,or u can take an algebric average of the readings ,be sure to stand straight and dont lean forward...