View Full Version : Body fat calipers
Does anyone use these? I bought a digital one that tells me the exact distance that's being measured on the three measurement points, then works out your body fat percentage automatically. After a good few goes varying between 9.8% and about 14% I think I've finally got the technique and took an average of three to give about 13.2% (all three measurements were within 1%).
My question is, at about 61KG and 5'8", does this sound about right? I'll probably need to post a pic to show body shape and composition but those that know me, does that sound about right? I always had myself down as being around the 20% mark, but maybe my recent efforts have drastically altered this. I'll be measuring once a week from now on so hopefully any changes, or mistakes in my measuring will become apparent.
Matblack
23-06-2008, 15:07
1) Do you look good? [use a mirror or ask a friend, no other equipment required]
If answer is yes then go to 3 if no then go to 2
2) Keep exercising, make sure you are doing something you enjoy, retake test in 2 weeks [end]
3) Keep exercising, make sure you are doing something you enjoy, retake test in 2 weeks [end]
You don't need to know your body fat really do you? ;)
MB
Matblack
23-06-2008, 15:13
Most people start to see individual muscle definition under about 12%, observation is probably the best way to check body fat, at the end of the day whatever the calipers give you will be inaccurate to use as a weekly bench mark and no especially accurate overall. There is only one way to check body fat properly and this is total emersion and not many places have the facilities to do it. If you are going to use them then only do it once a month or so or you may find them a demotivating tool rather than a motivating one.
MB
Matblack
23-06-2008, 15:16
This seems to back up what I'm saying
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_fat_percentage
MB
Cool. I already have all the motivation I need (just starting week 4 of a 16 week plan), I was simply curious about body fat percentage. As long as my measurements are consistent I should be able to log relative change; I'm not too bothered about my exact body fat. I took some photos a few weeks back so I may stick them up here for a comparison. Personally I totally fail at spotting a difference in my body, but then most people do I guess!
Matblack
23-06-2008, 15:30
Cool. I already have all the motivation I need (just starting week 4 of a 16 week plan), I was simply curious about body fat percentage. As long as my measurements are consistent I should be able to log relative change; I'm not too bothered about my exact body fat. I took some photos a few weeks back so I may stick them up here for a comparison. Personally I totally fail at spotting a difference in my body, but then most people do I guess!
The body changes so slowly it is hard to see differences from day to day, a photo is a good point of reference. I'm biased I hate bodyfat percentages and find them very discouraging, I personally think that if you do want to measure progress then use a tape measure as it will show increases in muscle mass.
MB
It came with a tape measure. \o/
Luckily I didn't pay much for it - there's some ridiculously priced crap out there that is no more or less accurate than a child's compass and a ruler. It was the convenience of it working it out automatically that was appealing. If nothing else, it'll be a good experiment of the product rather than of me! Hairy pics to follow.
Matblack
23-06-2008, 15:42
They do them in my size too
http://news.thomasnet.com/images/large/010/10313.jpg
MB
I don't relish getting any part of my body getting pinched with that. :shocked:
Tbh 12-14% is really quite lean for a man. The "healthy" barrier goes up to 20% believe it or not.
From seeing you and knowing what you look like I'd agree with those measurements, you're carrying very little bodyfat IMO.
Kell_ee001
23-06-2008, 18:50
I'll probably need to post a pic to show body shape and composition but those that know me, does that sound about right?
Do I know you? :huh: Need a pic I think... topless with the hat should cover all the bases I think ;)
Piggymon
23-06-2008, 18:51
No way are you 20% dude ! I'm 22% ish and I have boobies ! ;D
13% sounds about right, I get my BF% measured every 2 months or so by my PT. I can't rely on the scales to show me signs of progress so this is the next best thing :)
Sept '07:
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/2851/snapshot20080623185714hx4.th.png (http://img49.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snapshot20080623185714hx4.png)
Today:
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/2346/snapshot20080623185749nn3.th.png (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snapshot20080623185749nn3.png)
I don't look much different from the front, but I'm clearly getting smaller from the sides!
13% easily. Nice fat loss too :) You can actually see your ribs. :)
I'm probably over 13% if you want to compare :) But I am carrying a bit more fat probably as well as bulk. :)
I think that might be like comparing a knotted rope with a flannel! Hopefully the training I'm starting is going to lead to lean muscle from now on, so I don't expect much more in terms of fat loss. I can always cut afterwards anyway if need be. :)
Results time! Every Sunday night (or Monday if I forgot) I've been doing my measurements. To do this I weighed myself, then used the callipers to measure my percentage fat three times, taking an average. The measurements have been a bit wayward but hopefully there looks to be a pattern emerging, and tonight's measurement at least shows some consistency in my readings. Depressingly, my belly seems to be my problem area; there's still no signs of abs and I'm still able to grab onto a couple of inches round the middle. Earlier today I increased my workout routine to be more intensive so hopefully the next four weeks will show more improvement. I can now do three rounds of circuit training, beginning each with 50 press-ups! Three months ago I could barely do 20 without stopping. I can also do 15 chin-ups to exhaustion, and 40 crunches before I even start to feel it. By the time I reach 50 though, I can feel it big time.
Oh, I've also started ignoring my weight. My scales are pretty accurate so clearly my bodyweight can fluctuate by up to a kilo and a half on any given week, probably due to variations in fluid intake.
22/6/08 - 61.2KG - 12.4%, 13.3%, 13.9% - 13.2%
30/6/08 - 60.8KG - 13.0%, 12.7%, 13.3% - 13.0%
7/7/08 - 62.1KG - 11.8%, 13.6%, 11.5% - 12.3%
14/7/08 - 62.1KG - 13.3%, 12.1%, 11.2% - 12.2%
20/7/08 - 61.2KG - 10.9%, 11.8%, 13.0% - 12.0%
27/7/07 - 61.5KG - 13.3%, 11.2%, 11.5% - 12.0%
4/8/08 - 62.3KG - 12.7%, 10.6%, 11.8% - 11.7%
11/8/08 - 61.2KG - 11.2%, 11.2%, 11.2% - 11.2%
2% decrease in 8 weeks is quite pleasing (if it's correct), but I expect to have to work twice as hard now to lose it at anything like the same rate. As of today (and for the next four weeks) I'm cutting out all alcohol and refined flour and sugar products. Today I've had Shredded Wheat, chicken and spinach salad, tuna and baby tomatoes, a protein shake and some chicken kebabs with broccoli and stir-fry. All good!
Piggymon
11-08-2008, 21:14
Nice steady drop there Mr Beaumont .. well done ! :D
Cheers! And today I ache like never before!
50 press-ups
50 weighted squats
25 bicep curls
30 lunges
25 chin-ups
25 tricep pull-downs
50 crunches
90 seconds plank
30 'Superman' lie on your front and raise your arms and head to work the lower back)
Then repeat twice more. Good grief.
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