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Body fat tests / calipers vs Tanita
- Thread starter papaya110
- Start date
edgecrusher
New member
If you really want to test your bodyfat, hydrostatic is the most accurate. Of course, it is not the most practical. The calipers are good, but there is a 5% variability w/ them. Tanita absolutely sucks! They only work for certain people, and if you have anything to eat or drink, 2 hours prior to, it will scue the results.
If you want to use the calipers, use them simply to check your progress. In other words, get tested in the beginning, then train for about a month, then check it again and compare your results. That is actually what calipers where designed for.
If you want to use the calipers, use them simply to check your progress. In other words, get tested in the beginning, then train for about a month, then check it again and compare your results. That is actually what calipers where designed for.
Thanks
Thanks for the info!
I got my body fat tested yesterday. I also heard that being a woman could skew the Tanita even more! The calipers gave me a reading of 18.6% and the Tanita 14.2%! I felt that the Tanita way underestimated. The trainer who gave me the test said *just average the two*. (?!?!?!) Via some online tests mine came out to 17%. I don't have time for a hydrostatic test. AHHH!What to believe????
I also heard that the Tanita is more skewed with body builders than regular athletes. Any fact to this? (note: I am not a body builder, I am an endurance athlete)
Thanks for the info!
I got my body fat tested yesterday. I also heard that being a woman could skew the Tanita even more! The calipers gave me a reading of 18.6% and the Tanita 14.2%! I felt that the Tanita way underestimated. The trainer who gave me the test said *just average the two*. (?!?!?!) Via some online tests mine came out to 17%. I don't have time for a hydrostatic test. AHHH!What to believe????
I also heard that the Tanita is more skewed with body builders than regular athletes. Any fact to this? (note: I am not a body builder, I am an endurance athlete)
edgecrusher
New member
Like I said, just use the calipers to check your progress. If you are 17% now check it again in a month or so, (try to have the same trainer do it) And see if you have improved, and by how much.
And to answer your questions yes tanita seems to be very inaccurate when used on women, especially around times of menstruation. And for some reason it seems to not be as accurate for individuals w/ lower bf.
And to answer your questions yes tanita seems to be very inaccurate when used on women, especially around times of menstruation. And for some reason it seems to not be as accurate for individuals w/ lower bf.
fhg43
New member
papaya-
Get dunked. You can probably find a place to do it for around $100. Sometimes you can be part of a university study and get it done for free. I've gotten VO2 Max tests and BF tests all free by participating in studies.
Those Tanita scales are pretty worthless. It is really difficult to duplicate your physical condition each time you step on to it. Calipers are better as you can somewhat control the conditions of the test. Hydrostatic is best, but even it isn't 100% accurate. All BF test results are based on decades of cadaver research. So the 100% accurate way to figure out BF is to die and undergo an autopsy. I'll settle for hydro or careful caliper tests.
I have looked at your other posts and see you are interested in losing fat. I think this is good, but you should be burning plenty of it as an endurance athlete. For years I was able to get below 10% while eating Hostess treats and eating at McDonalds. Granted I am older now and have to watch my diet but I can still go out and burn 5000-6000 calories on a long hard day.
This is my advice: Cutting fat to increase your power to body weight ratio is a good strategy. A better strategy is to just increase power. As an endurance athlete a high power to weight ratio is key. IF you really need to cut fat you should, but if you get pretty low (and sub 20 for ladies is good) you should focus on taking it off naturally. Many endurance athletes get pretty low and still try and lose fat but their methods cause them to lose muscle as well. Also fat is used by your body to make white blood cells. White blood cells fight off infections. Often endurance athletes are susceptible to infections if they get to lean to fast; they'll get a cold and they can't produce enough WBCs to fight it-happens to riders in the TdF all the time. As I get into my season I don't limit my caloric intake to lose fat and I don't use any supplements. These strategies tend to be to hard on the body while competing on a regular basis. Training and competing a lot will keep you lean and improve your muscular and aerobic fitness. Make sure about 25-30% of your cals are coming from protein. This will help maintain muscle will leaving plenty of room for good carbs-endurance athletes need at least 60% of cals from carbs. Keep fat intake low, but you still need it.
Email me sometime about your sport and any questions you have. I am an endurnace athlete as well.
[email protected]
Get dunked. You can probably find a place to do it for around $100. Sometimes you can be part of a university study and get it done for free. I've gotten VO2 Max tests and BF tests all free by participating in studies.
Those Tanita scales are pretty worthless. It is really difficult to duplicate your physical condition each time you step on to it. Calipers are better as you can somewhat control the conditions of the test. Hydrostatic is best, but even it isn't 100% accurate. All BF test results are based on decades of cadaver research. So the 100% accurate way to figure out BF is to die and undergo an autopsy. I'll settle for hydro or careful caliper tests.
I have looked at your other posts and see you are interested in losing fat. I think this is good, but you should be burning plenty of it as an endurance athlete. For years I was able to get below 10% while eating Hostess treats and eating at McDonalds. Granted I am older now and have to watch my diet but I can still go out and burn 5000-6000 calories on a long hard day.
This is my advice: Cutting fat to increase your power to body weight ratio is a good strategy. A better strategy is to just increase power. As an endurance athlete a high power to weight ratio is key. IF you really need to cut fat you should, but if you get pretty low (and sub 20 for ladies is good) you should focus on taking it off naturally. Many endurance athletes get pretty low and still try and lose fat but their methods cause them to lose muscle as well. Also fat is used by your body to make white blood cells. White blood cells fight off infections. Often endurance athletes are susceptible to infections if they get to lean to fast; they'll get a cold and they can't produce enough WBCs to fight it-happens to riders in the TdF all the time. As I get into my season I don't limit my caloric intake to lose fat and I don't use any supplements. These strategies tend to be to hard on the body while competing on a regular basis. Training and competing a lot will keep you lean and improve your muscular and aerobic fitness. Make sure about 25-30% of your cals are coming from protein. This will help maintain muscle will leaving plenty of room for good carbs-endurance athletes need at least 60% of cals from carbs. Keep fat intake low, but you still need it.
Email me sometime about your sport and any questions you have. I am an endurnace athlete as well.
[email protected]
