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Appropriate use of calipers...

froshman Posts: 441 Joined: 2003/07/12	2005/04/02, 07:22 PM I have fat measuring calipers that I bought and the instructions tell me to pich the fat about 1 in. above my hip bone to measue the in. of flab. My question is, how much force should I use? Should I just press doen until the calipers have a hold of the skin, or should I press down until the calipers can't go any further? I'm getting a big difference on readings depending on which way I do it, so I'm confused.
	2005/04/02, 08:58 PM just until u get a firm grip....don't press too hard....
froshman Posts: 441 Joined: 2003/07/12	2005/05/16, 06:07 PM When I use them I get a measure of everything between 14-20 cm, depending on the pressure and I'm having trouble distinguishing which is correct. How can I tell?
asimmer Posts: 8,201 Joined: 2003/01/07	2005/05/16, 06:12 PM it is reaslly difficult to get good caliper readings on yourself, especily if you don't have any training. Could you have a friend help you? Put your thumb and forefinger about 3 inches apart and pinch, not too hardm, but so you feel the fat and skin, not the muscle or bone underneath. measure halfway between the fold and your body. Let the calipers naturaly close on the folded skin/fat. This is why it is a lot easier to have someone else do it. -------------- Vitality shows not only in the ability to persist but the ability to start over. - F. Scott Fitzgerald
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2005/05/17, 07:36 AM your gonna have to have a friend.......even with 3 point......cause you have to do your tricep...if you do 6 pint you have to do one on your back. -------------- " The only true eye, is your minds eye"- plato
froshman Posts: 441 Joined: 2003/07/12	2005/05/17, 04:13 PM 3 point? 6 point? The calipers I have just instruct me to pinch the skin on my abdomen, about an inch up from my pelvic bone and convert the cm into body fat % via a chart. So you're saying I should let the calipers close and the second both set of teeth touch the skin, that should be the measurment?
Lonegirl Posts: 446 Joined: 2002/11/13	2005/05/18, 06:24 AM With only one measurement site you will not get an accurate reflection of your bodyfat 3 locations are usually the minimun...With really cheaply made calipers you will also not get an accurate measurement...
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2005/05/18, 09:51 AM body fat just isn't stored in one place......we aren't camels lol........it may give you and idea....within 5% or so........but more points you use......more accurate and truthful it will be. -------------- " The only true eye, is your minds eye"- plato
sstump1 Posts: 1,227 Joined: 2005/03/20	2005/05/18, 12:43 PM So bigandrew should have have these humps surgically removed?? Frosh...check out www.mybodycomp.com. You can take measurements with a measuring tape and plug them in along with height/weight/age and it'll give you your BF%. I had mine checked at my gym and then checked it here and it was pretty close.