OT: Kind of? Measuring Body Fat

Debbie · 10-22-13, 08:41 PM

Hi all

I'm curious if anyone here tracks their bodyfat? If so how do you do so? Calipers, Tanita scale, bodpod, etc.?

bzar · 10-23-13, 02:54 AM

yes, each time i step on my tanita scale.

SpiritYogi · 10-23-13, 07:13 AM

I use digital calipers. I know they're not 100% accurate, but it gives me a consistent gauge to go by each month.

Debbie · 10-23-13, 10:35 AM

Thanks for the replies! I guess not too many people here measure their body fat...that kind of surprises me?!

slysam · 10-23-13, 01:11 PM

I haven't even been weighing myself lately--lol, this is a big step as I use to weigh daily. Anyway my scale does a body fat estimate. In addition, I use calipers (self administered so maybe not accurate) and measurements. I would get different estimates with different methods. The calipers gave a lower percent--which I liked and it did show trends in loss because I could pinch a little less as I lost fat. The scale gave a higher percent and was variable by hydration levels so it was important to try to keep the conditions as similar as possible to be able to see trends. I had the opportunity to have a bodpod measure done when I participated in a research study and sadly found my scale was closer to accurate than the calipers. But either one or simple tape measure measurements can be good for tracking fat loss progress.

twinkletoes · 10-23-13, 04:03 PM

Once in a while I use the caliper that came with one of the Beachbody sets but I don't think it's too accurate.

Does anyone have this? I wonder how accurate this would be.

Body Fat monitor

KarenJo · 10-23-13, 04:12 PM

I use my scale for a relative number. To keep the hydration factor to a minimum I do it first thing in the morning.

patriots · 10-23-13, 05:17 PM

I bought the hand held Omron Body Fat tester. I have had it for years. I do staff development fitness classes and I encourage everyone to get tested at least once in their life so they know what their percent is. I do mine about every 6 months or so just to track it. It works great is quite accurate for what I need and about what I guess on the people I test. It was about $36.00 then and I either bought it at Wal-Mart or Walgreens. I have seen them at our Scheels store also.

Kyra · 10-25-13, 10:14 AM

I don't track it, currently. When I have in the past I used cheap-o calipers, specifically Accu-Measure. As it happens I recently had my body fat measured by several methods, including multi site calipers, multi site measures, bioimpedence (hand held) etc. (No scales, sorry.) We didn't have access to underwater weighing or bod pods or anything fancy like that.

The results were, everything gave very similar numbers, and were all within the margin for error of each other. Interestingly, Accu Measure brings me in at about 3-5% lower than any of the other methods, which sort of confirms my suspicion that it is biased low.

My point, I guess, is that there are many useful methods you can use at home; my suggestion is to pick ONE and use it for comparisons/tracking only; also remember that there is a margin of error in EVERY method, including the gold standard methods, so don't be too hung up on the number itself.

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10-22-13, 08:41 PM
Debbie Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada	OT: Kind of? Measuring Body Fat Hi all I'm curious if anyone here tracks their bodyfat? If so how do you do so? Calipers, Tanita scale, bodpod, etc.? __________________ Debbie

10-23-13, 02:54 AM
bzar Exchange Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: PalmTreeVille	yes, each time i step on my tanita scale. __________________ ~jeannine Miyagi: Wax on, right hand. Wax off, left hand. Wax on, wax off. Breathe in through nose, out the mouth. Wax on, wax off. Don't forget to breathe, very important. [walks away, still making circular motions with hands] ~ Pat Morita, The Karate Kid, 1984 disclosure: in the years 2002-2004 i had a professional relationship with a distributor of fitness videos; see profile.

10-23-13, 07:13 AM
SpiritYogi Join Date: May 2002 Location: Spiritual Bliss	I use digital calipers. I know they're not 100% accurate, but it gives me a consistent gauge to go by each month.

10-23-13, 10:35 AM
Debbie Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada	Thanks for the replies! I guess not too many people here measure their body fat...that kind of surprises me?! __________________ Debbie

10-23-13, 01:11 PM
slysam Join Date: Sep 2010	I haven't even been weighing myself lately--lol, this is a big step as I use to weigh daily. Anyway my scale does a body fat estimate. In addition, I use calipers (self administered so maybe not accurate) and measurements. I would get different estimates with different methods. The calipers gave a lower percent--which I liked and it did show trends in loss because I could pinch a little less as I lost fat. The scale gave a higher percent and was variable by hydration levels so it was important to try to keep the conditions as similar as possible to be able to see trends. I had the opportunity to have a bodpod measure done when I participated in a research study and sadly found my scale was closer to accurate than the calipers. But either one or simple tape measure measurements can be good for tracking fat loss progress.

10-23-13, 04:03 PM
twinkletoes Join Date: Dec 2001	Once in a while I use the caliper that came with one of the Beachbody sets but I don't think it's too accurate. Does anyone have this? I wonder how accurate this would be. Body Fat monitor __________________ Linda

10-23-13, 04:12 PM
KarenJo VF Supporter Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Central Valley, California	I use my scale for a relative number. To keep the hydration factor to a minimum I do it first thing in the morning. __________________ Karen Jo I now have a doctor's order to never again do push ups (yippee!)

10-23-13, 05:17 PM
patriots Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Black Hills of South Dakota	I bought the hand held Omron Body Fat tester. I have had it for years. I do staff development fitness classes and I encourage everyone to get tested at least once in their life so they know what their percent is. I do mine about every 6 months or so just to track it. It works great is quite accurate for what I need and about what I guess on the people I test. It was about $36.00 then and I either bought it at Wal-Mart or Walgreens. I have seen them at our Scheels store also.

10-25-13, 10:14 AM
Kyra Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: South Jersey	I don't track it, currently. When I have in the past I used cheap-o calipers, specifically Accu-Measure. As it happens I recently had my body fat measured by several methods, including multi site calipers, multi site measures, bioimpedence (hand held) etc. (No scales, sorry.) We didn't have access to underwater weighing or bod pods or anything fancy like that. The results were, everything gave very similar numbers, and were all within the margin for error of each other. Interestingly, Accu Measure brings me in at about 3-5% lower than any of the other methods, which sort of confirms my suspicion that it is biased low. My point, I guess, is that there are many useful methods you can use at home; my suggestion is to pick ONE and use it for comparisons/tracking only; also remember that there is a margin of error in EVERY method, including the gold standard methods, so don't be too hung up on the number itself. __________________ The Grim Reaper catches us all. But when he catches me the son-of-a-bitch is going to be hunched over, wheezing and gasping for breath! Certified Bulletproof Athlete