Question about determining bodyfat

[Sloth]

How do you do it with a caliper? I've heard people doing that....or maybe i'm thinking of a different kind of caliper?..isn't it the thing that measures lenghts?

 

[ColumboWeiser]

it measures the amount of skin in the fold between the heads...Do you know what calapers are? If you have some use the nine point scale... take all readings vertically
1. stomach, 1 inch from belly button.
2. love handle, 1 inch up from hip bone.
3. kidney, two inches from middle of back at bottom.
4. biceps
5. triceps
6. chest
7. back, over one inch from scapula
8. thigh
9. calve

add totals,then
divide your bodyweight by the sum:
65/190 = .34 (rounded)
then take the number and multiply by .27
.34 x .27 = 9%
this formula is very accuate...I have used it to get ready for my last three shows...I got it from Beverly International.

 

[abrocketsfan]

skinfold calipers are good to see if you've made relative progress; that is, you can compare your old bodyfat measurements with new measurements, but I wouldn't say it's accurate unless you're very skilled with them

I did the seven point test and the three point test, and it said my percentage was 10.5%. I got it done professionally with some optimal sensors and it said 12.6%.

So...you might not have an accurate reading from calipers, but at the very least you can use it to see if you've gone up or down, etc.

 

[ColumboWeiser]

as you said they are good to mark progress every few weeks and to make sure you are not loosing muscle mass, but I disagree with the electronic scales...they suck, I have used different home and professional modles that have cost over $6,000.00 and have read my bodyfat at 12% at one week out from my bb show, in which I had striations in my back and ass! Any number of componates can effect the electrical test, like too much muscle compaired to the normal male, large intake of water can effect results, dehydration, or the use of chemicals such as Sterids that can make you retain extra water...

 

[Mr BC]

Calipers and underwater weighing done by a specialist are the best ways to determine body fat percentage.

 

[ccc]

A seriously primitive way that I use is to measure the flexed bi-cep ,and measure your waist ( i usually go right under belly button). If your bi is staying the same (or getting bigger) , and your waist is getting smaller. Then you are gaining lean muscle or atleast maintaing your muscle. It helps to try to do this at roughly the same time of day. Hope this helps