Measuring Bodyfat%

[enuf]

Does anyone know how accurate scales are for measuring body fat?? Is there another method that I can use at home that would be better??

[cassiegose]

Originally Posted by enuf

Does anyone know how accurate scales are for measuring body fat?? Is there another method that I can use at home that would be better??

I have a scale at home that is supposed to measure bodyfat... last time I checked it had me at 31%... I'm actually around 22-23%. The scale that I bought cost around $40 so figured it would be fairly accurate. Not the case. I bought a digital caliper and it seems to be more accurate... although measuring my own body fat on it can be kind of difficult at times.

[BlackBarbieDoll]

The bodyfat scales tend to be inaccurate in an absolute sense. The best method is either DEXA, which some local universities offer, or the bodpod which is offered by some high end commercial gyms. At home...I'd say go by your pictures. Progress is more important than an absolute number. Don't get too caught up in being that perfect "14" or whatever, because different people look different even at similar bodyfat levels. Even for competitors your progress aesthetically, and the physiological signs you are receiving from your body are more reliable than calipers an the likes.
my $.02

[freebirdmac]

Originally Posted by BlackBarbieDoll

The bodyfat scales tend to be inaccurate in an absolute sense. The best method is either DEXA, which some local universities offer, or the bodpod which is offered by some high end commercial gyms. At home...I'd say go by your pictures. Progress is more important than an absolute number. Don't get too caught up in being that perfect "14" or whatever, because different people look different even at similar bodyfat levels. Even for competitors your progress aesthetically, and the physiological signs you are receiving from your body are more reliable than calipers an the likes.
my $.02

^^^Yep. It'd be nice to have a convenient, accurate, repeatable method to objectively judge progress, but none exist. Go by picts, measurements, and how clothes fit.

[shymaaz]

Originally Posted by cassiegose

I have a scale at home that is supposed to measure bodyfat... last time I checked it had me at 31%... I'm actually around 22-23%. The scale that I bought cost around $40 so figured it would be fairly accurate. Not the case. I bought a digital caliper and it seems to be more accurate... although measuring my own body fat on it can be kind of difficult at times.

Its really a great tool. So how much this digital caliper costs?