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• Skinfold calipers - How to use properly

Group: General Diet & Nutrition

Skinfold calipers - How to use properly

TiredRob Posts: 42 Joined: 2002/04/04	2002/05/02, 07:25 AM Hi, I just got myself some Fat Track II (digital) skinfold calipers to replace the useless electronic thing I tried before. Trouble is, I'm not so sure I'm using them correctly. I tried running searches, but I'm still not confident, so I thought it best to ask you guys/gals for help. The instructions say to take 3 points: Upper is halfway between armpit and nipple I think, with a diagonal 'pinch' Midsection is a vertical pinch, a couple inch from the naval (I would have thought pinching horizontally would be more likely here, it seems more natural) Lower is another vertical pinch, front mid-thigh. Question is, how much skin to I grab to pinch ? It's not too clear on this at all. Should I start with my finger/thumb say 2 inches apart or more or less ? How hard should I pinch, and when I have a 'skinfold' in my mits, which part should I measure with the caliper ? I'm thinking the measurement should be as close to the thumb.finger as possible but stand to be corrected. Maybe it should be right at the outside end of the 'fold' ? Help! Anyone who has a more thorough understanding of how a beginner such as I should use these things accurately, please shout. My readings at the moment are all over the place! Once I'm condident in exactly what I should be doing, then I'll concentrate on being able to replicate the readings with the same accuracy each time. Many thanks in advance, I'm sure they're very easy just as long as you know the basics. Cheers, Rob.
fireloard Posts: 665 Joined: 2001/03/27	2002/05/02, 08:18 AM I usually go with the 'pinch an inch' way.. and measure each site a few times to see if my reading varies each time.. Usually I get about the same.. as for the digital calipers.. I have a pair too and they usually say i'm around 2.8% which is totally unbelievable... so I used http://maelstrom.seos.uvic.ca/people/zahariev/misc/bf_men.html and got someone to help me measure my back.. using the spread sheet at the bottom I came up with some better measurements.. I can't find the site I usually use for example pic's but this site -> http://omega.cc.umb.edu/~umexcsci/indexcomp.html has some pretty good pictures that should give you an idea if what the areas you want to pinch look like
jnellie Posts: 924 Joined: 2002/02/24	2002/05/02, 05:49 PM 2.8 AWESOME........FIRELOARD............
fireloard Posts: 665 Joined: 2001/03/27	2002/05/02, 05:54 PM If you saw a picture of me (which shouldn't be too long off) you won't say awesome anymore.. you'll say what EVERYONE else says and that 'wow gain some weight'... that or something along the lines of me being too small.. even my mom sometimes tell me i'm 'built like a stick'.. but I don't go on bulking diets.. somehow I just eat whatever I want.. burgers.. junk food.. etc.. and I stay pretty study at a weight of less than 110... its pretty ridiculous... but not bad.. I don't take any supps as I like kinda being natural but mostly because I usually stop working out every now and again and I know a total stop can't be too far from now (a few years maybe when i'm done w/ college)
jnellie Posts: 924 Joined: 2002/02/24	2002/05/02, 06:01 PM I AM 16 PERCENT DOWN FROM 25 I WANT TO SEE THAT SIX PACK............
Lumina20 Posts: 966 Joined: 2001/10/31	2002/05/02, 06:09 PM Go head with ya bad self, jnellie!
jnellie Posts: 924 Joined: 2002/02/24	2002/05/02, 06:18 PM WHAT.......
fireloard Posts: 665 Joined: 2001/03/27	2002/05/02, 06:22 PM I think she means that your making great progress and right on track to getting your bf% low enough to see your abs...
Lumina20 Posts: 966 Joined: 2001/10/31	2002/05/02, 06:30 PM Thanks for the translation
jnellie Posts: 924 Joined: 2002/02/24	2002/05/02, 06:44 PM OH I GUESS IM JUST AN OLD FART...HAHAHAHA
TiredRob Posts: 42 Joined: 2002/04/04	2002/05/03, 08:02 AM Thanks for the websites Fireloard, that's just what I needed. My readings are still all over just now, but I'm sure they'll get more reliable with a little practice :-) Thanks again for the info, Rob.