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Accurate Bodyfat Measuring?

ebabe1026 Posts: 165 Joined: 2003/03/10	2003/03/22, 10:09 AM Am curious as to which is the more accurate of the 2, when it comes to measuring ones' bodyfat: calipers or a bodyfat scale (that does it via electric current)? I've gotten to completely different bodyfat calculations using either device(s). Thanks! ---------------------------- You only get ONE body, take care of it and it'll take care of YOU!
Carivan Posts: 8,542 Joined: 2002/01/20	2003/03/22, 10:28 AM I use a tanita scale. It is very consistant. Make sure you verify your fat on an empty bladder, and at the same time, every time. The calipers are good too. Don't forget it is just a #. It doesn't really matter which one is more acurate as they both work. It is being consistant what counts, keep measuring the same way all the time. Hope this helps. -------------- Peace on earth Ivan Montreal Canada
dahayz Posts: 794 Joined: 2002/05/08	2003/03/22, 11:17 AM Actually, bodyfat scales have a reputation for being as much as 5-8% inaccurate. There are to many factors to worry about when measuring bodyfat or weight on a scale. If you have to choose, go with the calipers, but not after a workout. Measuring BF is a great way to measure your progress, just don't get addicted to it.
kkor Posts: 71 Joined: 2003/01/09	2003/03/22, 01:08 PM If you use the scale, be sure you are adaquately hydrated. Your body fat can be WAY off if you haven't been drinking enough water during the day. They actually advise you to weigh and measure toward the end of the day (which most of us hate to do lol!) Although your weight may be off by three pounds or so, your body fat will be more accurate. The calipers can be extremely accurate if you have the same technician (or yourself) measure EXACTLY the same places every time, and like dahayz says, do it BEFORE a workout. A good technician will not measure you after a workout...they know better.
ebabe1026 Posts: 165 Joined: 2003/03/10	2003/03/22, 02:11 PM Great! Thanks for the info. :) -------------- You only get ONE body, take care of it and it'll take care of YOU!
neiltilley Posts: 325 Joined: 2003/03/09	2003/03/22, 05:07 PM body fat measuring equipment is sooooo inacurate. Having said that, what is accurate is your consist usage of the same apparatus... get it? only expensive hospital electro equip can be at all accurate- so your aim is to be consistent in your 'work' on this, and also measure everything on the tape and weigh weekly same time, same scales and then visual assessment- new photos to old photos.. i'm still fat 23% probably, but slowly reshaping by stats- and that is the best you can tell. if you have a six pack then you know body fat is 8% or lower
asimmer Posts: 8,201 Joined: 2003/01/07	2003/03/25, 02:24 PM Body calipers ahve a 4-5% margin of error, and that varies also with user's efficiency. In my years+ experience working at a health club I found that the calipers were much more accurate than the bioelectrical impedence machines and scales. There are so many pre-measurement protocols and exceptions that apply to bioelectrical measuring it is ridiculous. One thing that can throw it off is if you have a large amount of muscle mass - well what are we trying to figure out, anyhow? other things that effect it are your hydration levels, caffiene consumption, smoking, there is a whole list in most users manuals. My colleagues and i compared notes on a lot of testing and concluded that if you can't get the underwater weighing done (which you need to take operator error into account as well), than getting an experienced trainer to do your composition with calipers is the next best thing. Good Luck!
ebabe1026 Posts: 165 Joined: 2003/03/10	2003/03/25, 03:06 PM Wow....who would have known? :) Thanks a bunch for sharing your knowledge. -------------- You only get ONE body, take care of it and it'll take care of YOU!
Carivan Posts: 8,542 Joined: 2002/01/20	2003/03/25, 04:50 PM That is so true, I'ts amazing the different readings I get, so I have to really think about measuring sometimes. If you wear a surgical steel watch, it also effects the readings on the scale. With about 6 months of experimenting I have to say I agree with asimmer. -------------- Peace on earth Ivan Montreal Canada
Hellscream Posts: 272 Joined: 2004/02/25	2004/03/15, 06:16 PM hmmm, its all good about consistancy and all but what if say you were already at 8% BF but measurements are saying your at 12%, if your trying to get to 8% it could get ugly.
Vegasmuscle Posts: 6 Joined: 2005/12/21	2005/12/22, 02:06 PM Water is the best tool. Fat floats easier than muscle, and thus if you get the immersion test done you can expect an accurate measure within 1-2%