I've noticed that there is no real "good" illustration on how to properly take your bodyfat measurements using calipers. When doing the (3) site check (chest, stomach-2" to the right of your bellybutton) and quadriceps is there a rule of thumb on how much skin to grab or do you just grab as much as you can?

Regardless, I'm still coming out with a progressively lower number as time goes on so I know I'm loosing fat. At this point I'm just trying to be as precise as possible with technique when using the calipers.

I have that exact same problem.

From what I assume, you don't just grab what you can. For example, my chest has got hardly any fat on it, and if I tried to take a big pinch, I'd actually be getting some muscle in there aswell - when I try and make sure I get only the outside layer of skin/fat and no muscle I end up with a reading of 3-4mm.

My belly is a bit easier as I still have fat to lose and there is no muscle right on the surface, so I can get a good pinch.

I still don't like the method to be honest as I can get massively different readings each time - but I'm going to have to stick with it as the only perfect way I can see is the submerge in water one.

[QUOTE=Ta2d]I've noticed that there is no real "good" illustration on how to properly take your bodyfat measurements using calipers. When doing the (3) site check (chest, stomach-2" to the right of your bellybutton) and quadriceps is there a rule of thumb on how much skin to grab or do you just grab as much as you can?

Try tensing the muscle underneath the pinch site to make it easier to
distinguish between skin/fat and muscle.

Also should you pinch in the middle of the skin fold, or go as far back as you can? I assume the middle...

I use a set of the good ol' cheapie Accu-Measure calipers.

I've had my body fat tested monthly for the last 18 months. Seen it enough times to mimic it. I used to check my body fat daily, but that was overkill and now I do it weekly (on Sundays).

After having watched the pros do it, I began to mimic what they do. Basically, they pinch a good thick portion of skin (pretty hard, just shy of it being painful but it's rather uncomfortable nonetheless) then clip about a quarter-inch pinch with the calipers. The initial "lifting" pinch usually just grasps the loser skin hovering over the muscle. When the surrounding skin pulls tight, you've got a good initial pinch for the caliper to latch on to. When you depress the caliper, it should "click" (i.e., the point at which you take the reading) when the caliper jaws are about 1/4" wide.

Using this, I've been surprisingly close to the mark the last couple of times. For grins, I test myself before I go to the gym and have it done, I've been within +/- 0.5% for the past several go-rounds - I've been to the low side of the "official" number the trainer calculates. I do a five point test to myself and the wife assists me with the tricep pinch, I can't do that one accurately by myself. The rest I can do.

Hope that helps....

-R

Bluestreak, What 5 points do you use? And how do you calculate your BF % based on those readings? My accu-measure only tells how to do a one spot test. Thanks.

I use a set of the good ol' cheapie Accu-Measure calipers.

I've had my body fat tested monthly for the last 18 months. Seen it enough times to mimic it. I used to check my body fat daily, but that was overkill and now I do it weekly (on Sundays).

After having watched the pros do it, I began to mimic what they do. Basically, they pinch a good thick portion of skin (pretty hard, just shy of it being painful but it's rather uncomfortable nonetheless) then clip about a quarter-inch pinch with the calipers. The initial "lifting" pinch usually just grasps the loser skin hovering over the muscle. When the surrounding skin pulls tight, you've got a good initial pinch for the caliper to latch on to. When you depress the caliper, it should "click" (i.e., the point at which you take the reading) when the caliper jaws are about 1/4" wide.

Using this, I've been surprisingly close to the mark the last couple of times. For grins, I test myself before I go to the gym and have it done, I've been within +/- 0.5% for the past several go-rounds - I've been to the low side of the "official" number the trainer calculates. I do a five point test to myself and the wife assists me with the tricep pinch, I can't do that one accurately by myself. The rest I can do.

Hope that helps....

-R

Thanks for all of the replies. It sounds like there are many that aren't quite sure if they're using the caliper as effectively as possible. In any event the replies have helped. Thanks Again.........Ta2d

Bluestreak, What 5 points do you use? And how do you calculate your BF % based on those readings? My accu-measure only tells how to do a one spot test. Thanks.

I'll dig it up in my spreadsheet later. I don't remember what the equation was or what it was called.