Calipers

[lucidblue]

Anyone know if these calipers are any good?

http://www.accufitness.com/products/fattrack.html

I found them much cheaper on another site, just wanted to know if anyone here has used it.

 

[pwr_machine]

I'd recommend buying a simple pair of calipers from your local vitamin store or online for less than 10 bucks. Then, all you would have to do is calculate bodyfat using ACSM's guidelines and a calculator. I have the formulas for both males and females if you happen to want them.

 

[JJFigure]

I've used them, but for me they gave ridiculously low measurements. Another friend bought them, and they didn't work at all. And I've heard of another person who got ridiculously high results. In other words, I haven't found them to be a reliable caliper. I personally own "The Body Caliper" - it calibrates nicely with a spring mechanism - like a Lange but much less expensive. You should be able to get it for around $50 or so.

 

[pwr_machine]

- like a Lange but much less expensive. You should be able to get it for around $50 or so.

The calipers I use are the cheap plastic ones for less than $10. We use Lange in our lab, and my cheap set gives the same mm measurements.

 

[MrStamina]

I use them.

What they are good for is to record the bf% first time and check again in about 2 - 4 weeks. Calculate the difference.
Also,
You can do the same spot over and over again, so you can average the % out. For example, if you checking your stomach, do it 3 times and it will record all 3 times. So it will say upper 10%
11% and 12%, then you take 11%. Or if its 9%, 9%,10%, you use 9%. Its very easy.
It also keeps the figures in its memory for ever.

 

[lucidblue]

Thanks everyone. I ordered them before I got a lot of response. So we'll see how they work. Like MrStamina said, I can at least track my progress every few weeks. I'll also compare my results with the cheap one's my brother has when I visit my family.

 

[lucidblue]

I'd recommend buying a simple pair of calipers from your local vitamin store or online for less than 10 bucks. Then, all you would have to do is calculate bodyfat using ACSM's guidelines and a calculator. I have the formulas for both males and females if you happen to want them.

It would be great if you could pass on the formulas!

 

[pwr_machine]

It would be great if you could pass on the formulas!

Try this website http://www.exrx.net/calculators/bodycomp.html

And if you would like the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines, instructions, and formulas for the different sites, I could make copies and mail them to you.

 

[MissChris]

I cannot find calipers ANYWHERE locally. :/

I've tried gyms, local health stores, chain health stores, local vitamin shops, chain vitamin shops, sporting goods stores, you name it! This has become a most frustrating quest, and I'd prefer to pick them up around here rather than order from online.

 

[pwr_machine]

I cannot find calipers ANYWHERE locally. :/

I've tried gyms, local health stores, chain health stores, local vitamin shops, chain vitamin shops, sporting goods stores, you name it! This has become a most frustrating quest, and I'd prefer to pick them up around here rather than order from online.

I'd request that one of those stores order them for you if you're hesitant about ordering them online.

 

[RottenWillow]

What about errors in technique? If you pinch muscle or not all of the fat layer you're obviously going to miscalculate. Are the more expensive models more idiot proof?

 

[pwr_machine]

What about errors in technique? If you pinch muscle or not all of the fat layer you're obviously going to miscalculate. Are the more expensive models more idiot proof?

It's really tough to pinch muscle. As for as the fat fold, you're looking for a vertical, even pinch. It just takes practice.

I've seen Lange calipers in the range of $200+ dollars. I own a plastic pair for like 6 bucks and get the same mm measurement with each.

 

[RottenWillow]

Thanks for your response pwr_machine.

The $50 product sounds good to me since I can split the cost with my training partner.

Measurements I have had made at various gyms have been pretty inconsistant. It's gotta be a matter of user error. I've gotten 15.5% up to 18% within two days of one another. I'm not concerned at all about my bf level itself, I'm just trying to accurately calculate LBM and hence track my gains. So doing these spot measures on specific bodyparts like some people mentioned isnt useful for me. I want an accurate and reliable (consistant) global bf measure. I might decide to resort to more exotic and expensive methods. I think the wellness center at my university offers the hydostatic method, but I'm not sure.

Can anyone speak from experience about the degree of correlation between the water and air displacement methods as compared to skin fold estimates?

 

[pwr_machine]

I recall a +/-3 % error rate in skinfold measurement. I think that's pretty common. The more you do, the better you get. Having the same person conduct the measurements each time also increases the chance of taking a consistent measure.

Hydrostatic weighing is known to be more accurate. Then again, look at your progress over time. Try not to dwell on week to week, but maybe month to month.

Check you local universities also. There h & pe dept.'s may also have the means to help you map out your LBM accurately.