Body fat calipers

Belmit · 23-06-2008, 14:56

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

Belmit · 23-06-2008, 15:28

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belmit

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

Belmit · 23-06-2008, 15:38

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

MB

Belmit · 23-06-2008, 15:48

I don't relish getting any part of my body getting pinched with that.

Will · 23-06-2008, 17:35

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.

23-06-2008, 14:56	#1
Belmit The Mouse King of Denmark Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The Winchester Posts: 6,476	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. __________________

23-06-2008, 15:07	#2
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	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 __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

23-06-2008, 15:13	#3
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	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 __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

23-06-2008, 15:16	#4
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	This seems to back up what I'm saying http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_fat_percentage MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

23-06-2008, 15:28	#5
Belmit The Mouse King of Denmark Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The Winchester Posts: 6,476	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! __________________

23-06-2008, 15:38	#7
Belmit The Mouse King of Denmark Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The Winchester Posts: 6,476	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. __________________

23-06-2008, 15:42	#8
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	They do them in my size too MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

23-06-2008, 15:48	#9
Belmit The Mouse King of Denmark Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The Winchester Posts: 6,476	I don't relish getting any part of my body getting pinched with that. __________________

23-06-2008, 17:35	#10
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	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. __________________ *No No!*