Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below
Calipers vs. Scales
- Thread starter PawWax
- Start date
Sassy69
New member
So you are using the manual calipers and the tanita scale correct? Who is doing your skinfold pinches & how many pinch sites? If you are doing it yourself then I would assume its going to be inaccurate as the typical pinch sites are very hard to reach on yourself.
Normally the tanita scale would probably show a higher measure as it is a different measurement method and isn't really directly comparable to the measures you would get from a skinfold method. And neither are accurate in their measures of "absolute bodyfat" measure as say the BodPod (water displacement) method that you could get done at a university or medical facility.
My first question is still going to be how are you getting your caliper measure. If you are doing it yourself, I'd suggest you either get someone else to do it (and use them regularly if you can for "consistent" measurements) or just track the tanita measurements. Tanita & other bioimpedance measuring devices show 2-3 decimal place digital accuracy, but the measure itself is highly dependent on things like how much water you've had that day or if you just finished training - so you would want to keep as many factors as possible constant between each measurement to get not so much an "absolute" measure of bodyfat, but rather to track the relative changes over time.
Normally the tanita scale would probably show a higher measure as it is a different measurement method and isn't really directly comparable to the measures you would get from a skinfold method. And neither are accurate in their measures of "absolute bodyfat" measure as say the BodPod (water displacement) method that you could get done at a university or medical facility.
My first question is still going to be how are you getting your caliper measure. If you are doing it yourself, I'd suggest you either get someone else to do it (and use them regularly if you can for "consistent" measurements) or just track the tanita measurements. Tanita & other bioimpedance measuring devices show 2-3 decimal place digital accuracy, but the measure itself is highly dependent on things like how much water you've had that day or if you just finished training - so you would want to keep as many factors as possible constant between each measurement to get not so much an "absolute" measure of bodyfat, but rather to track the relative changes over time.
PawWax
New member
I've been using the tania for several years and am careful to do it at the same time, etc. The calipers are "Accu-measure" which only measure ONE just-above-hip fold (seems weird to me, but literally EVERYTHING I read endorses this thing). I've just started using it, so I'm not putting much faith in it at the moment, but was shocked at the 7 point difference.
I guess I'll track them both and see if the 7 points is a constant...
As far as I have been able to find out, there is nowhere local where I can get a different type of reading - apparently gyms are relying on Tanita scales, too.
I guess I'll track them both and see if the 7 points is a constant...
As far as I have been able to find out, there is nowhere local where I can get a different type of reading - apparently gyms are relying on Tanita scales, too.
Sassy69
New member
I'm not sure I'd go w/ a 1-pt skinfold. Then it may just be its own type of measure, i.e. even though you are using the calipers, maybe that 1 pt isn't going to provide an equivalent result to a multi-pt measure. Then I guess as long as the 1 pt measure is consistent - track it for the relative changes over time.
The thing w/ calipers - its interesting because I also see more gyms only using a tanita scale & I've actually had to show the trainers who to do a skinfold measure to get my bf done - but when you talk to bodybuilders and other people about what is your bodyfat, they still generally speak in terms of the calipers. Then when you get into the discussion w/ tanita measures, everyone starts up w/ this "NO WAY YOU ARE THAT MUCH....", etc.
The thing w/ calipers - its interesting because I also see more gyms only using a tanita scale & I've actually had to show the trainers who to do a skinfold measure to get my bf done - but when you talk to bodybuilders and other people about what is your bodyfat, they still generally speak in terms of the calipers. Then when you get into the discussion w/ tanita measures, everyone starts up w/ this "NO WAY YOU ARE THAT MUCH....", etc.
badgergrl
New member
http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/magazine/ultimatebodyfattestingguide.htm
Here's a link that shows you how to do a higher point test. I doubt that testing just one point could be accurate. I also think the tanita scales can be way off.
Here's a link that shows you how to do a higher point test. I doubt that testing just one point could be accurate. I also think the tanita scales can be way off.
PawWax
New member
DF is a trained as a trainer - but I can never get him to take the time do dig out his old texts on that. Great link badgergrl!
If anyone's interested here's the link to the calipers I'm referring to: http://www.accumeasurefitness.com/products/fitness3000.html
If anyone's interested here's the link to the calipers I'm referring to: http://www.accumeasurefitness.com/products/fitness3000.html
tps
New member
i use a free website to go with my fat track II digital calipers.www.bodytracker.com you do the measurements where they tell you...7 site, and the site does all the math for you. they have the 3 site as well, but the more mm the better. its geared seperately for male and females..
