What is the best method to measure body fat?????????

[newbiedreamer]

I was wondering what is the most common method and most accurate to measure body fat.I do have fat calipers, i just don't know how to use them,as well as for the tape.

[newbiedreamer]

Wow,awsome reply...........totally helpful........bump.

[g_bree]

i'm not a huge fan of the calipers, because unless you really know for sure how to use them and everything i dont think their real accurate....tomorrow im going to the gym where i workout for a body comp. test, not sure how they test body fat, but i recommend going somewhere to have it done, just so you know its going to be very close to correct

i've been told that the underwater tests they do, somehow, not sure how its done, but their probably the best for accuracy, but i imagine they cost a sh*t load to have done

[klancey]

From what I've heard the underwater test is the BEST way of getting the percentage of body fat from a person. I'm not sure where you can have it done but I would ask a doctor about that. Calipers just gives you an overall estimate of fat but doesn't take into account every single inch of your body. Fat is everywhere as you know so I guess try and do the underwater one for a definite number.

[Shmack]

They all come pretty close. If you dont feel like shellin out $$ a BIA or caliper test is fine. I'd prob rather go with a BIA thou. What's more important is the time of the day you get the test done.

[live4thepump]

when you think about measuring bodyfat you want the most accurate method. man only if we applied that rule to other things in our life. anyway think about how many times you step on a scale in a weeks time. even if you know the scale only tells a small tale on your progress to your goals but you probly use the same scale. so my point is for you to have a very consistant method of measuring.

water displacement is kinda hard to come by if you dont live near a college or big city. but pretty accurate. and the best way. but are you going to use that method everytime?

electronic bio-impedance is where a small electrical current goes through your body, fat=ohms and ohms is the unit of measurement for resistance. fat is more resistant than muscle, because muscle is made up of mostly water, wating is a great electrical conductor. but electric flows through the shortest path. so the hand held testers probly give approximate readings.
also there are so many chances of error by the trainer giving the test, you could have lotion on the spots where you put the stickers and lotion is made of what? also it can depend on how much water you drank and how much food is in your stomach, if you just worked-out etc...

skin calipers is a great way to check bodyfat. it only measures subcutanious fat but what other fat do we want to get rid of. skin calipers are cheap, they can involve another person which can be fun and a learning experience. just keep everything consistant. with a caliper that is possible eveytime.

then there is this thing with a infrared light. but when you have to enter you height,weight, bmi and whether or not you athletic or not i dont think that can be anywhere near accurate.




so the answer to your question, if you have it available the water-displacment test is the best.
but the skin calipers are easier to get to and more fun with consistancy.

[BoDanger]

Hydro static testing will be the mot accurate but if you arn't going to be using that method every time you test it might be a waste of time if you are checking your progession.

electronic bio-impedance can be very accurate if you are consistant with your method. Sitting/standing, bent arms, post/pre-workout can all throw off your results.

electronic bio-impedance works to give your total body fat even if the electricity is only going though you arms or legs do to the fact that we have very universal ratios of fat over our body.

for example you waist will be 2x the circumference of you neck pretty much no matter what kind of shape you are in.

[dazraf26]

Find a really tight pair of jeans and when they are not so tight anymore, ou can be sure you have lossed fat. Cheap and simple. ;]