BodyFat Calipers

[Ebach]

Hi all,

Just purchased the cheapest bodyfat caliper I could find. From what I hear this one is a good hobby caliper and it usually retails for $25 or so. I got it for $8 on ebay with S&H included. Check it out: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3678892474

Bodybuilding.com has it cheap as well but you can't beat ebay for price. It's $4.75 + S&H which is $3.50 I think so $8.25 total.

Wanna help out my fellow lifters out there

 

[FlyGuy]

That's the same one I use. It takes a bit of practice but once you get it down those calipers are great!

 

[Ebach]

Yeah, I heard you guys saying it's a good for everyday use so I purchased it. Waiting for it to come in the mail anytime this week. Hoping it will come with proper procedures for measuring bodyfat and the locations that give the bodyfat more accurately.

 

[FlyGuy]

I would think the directions come with it, but if not I can help you out.

 

[Ebach]

Alright, I'll let you know when it arrives.

 

[FlyGuy]

Just FYI... most people have a higher bodyfat percentage than they think

 

[Ebach]

Ok, I received the caliper today. It's plastic... shouldn't it be metal? For some reason I was left with the impression that it was metal.

Anyway, it came with simple instructions. It says to measure on the right side, 1" above the hip. It says to pinch the skin and press the caliper until the little ball thingy snaps into place. Well, I followed the instructions as well as I could and ended up with 20% bodyfat, which seems about right.

I'm curious, does it matter the length of skin you pinch?

Is that how you measure your bodyfat with that caliper? Is there a more accurate way to do it; i.e. a different location for measuring?

 

[semag]

Fly guy will reply to you, but there's a 7 point method where you "pinch the skin" at many different points. This will give you a much better measurement.

 

[Ebach]

Anyone?

 

[FlyGuy]

Sorry for the delay, I've been extremely busy lately.

I'm curious, does it matter the length of skin you pinch?

Just grab enough skin to pull it away from your body. Maybe an inch or so of skin should be fine unless you've got a higher bodyfat percentage.

Is that how you measure your bodyfat with that caliper? Is there a more accurate way to do it; i.e. a different location for measuring?

There is a more accurate method (called the 9 site Parillo method) that will probably require the help of a friend/girlfriend/family member. Its more difficult but if you want accuracy its the best way:

Measure these sites:
Right bicep
Right tricep
Right pec (on the very edge of the pec muscle)
Stomach (next to your belly-button)
Suprailiac (1 inch above hip bone)
Upper thigh (about 5 inches below the hip bone)
Calf

These two probably require assistance to measure:
Lower back (where your "love handles" are)
Upper back (between your shoulder blade and your spinal chord)

Now add the 9 measurements up and divide it by your weight in pounds. Multiply the result by 27 and you will have your percentage of body fat.

I will try to post up a diagram of the different sites.