Hand held body fat calculator?

[nkingy2003]

I joined a new gym today and they done an initial assesment of me in which they used a hand held body fat calculator and it recorded me as being at 15% bf which I was happy about.

This is the first time I had heard/seen/used a hand held body fat calculator and was wondering what you guys thought to them?

I have calipers too but I think there is a lot of human error involved with these as I get different results each time. They only measured me on the hand held device once so I dont know if the results would be the same. How accurate are the hand held devices in your opinion? They seem like the easiest way to measure body fat.

Also, how expensive are they?

[SamWard]

i also had mine done today on some handheld thing, its alot easier than i thought which kinda made me think its results cant be that good
but it came out at 26% but the woman said its more like 23% due to not perfect calibrations

ohh and don't bother buying one, they will be to expensive and you can just get it done in your gym

[nkingy2003]

Yea I thought exactly the same, it was so quick and easy that I thought for sure it couldnt be very accurate.

[ice_man89]

don't get one, they aren't very good yes they will give you a rough number but nothing accurate. practise with callipers take it three times as long as the readings are very close then take the average and work out you BF% from that, much more accurate and cheaper

[nkingy2003]

anyone else agree that the hand held body fat calculators are not very accurate or do you think they are?

[ShayThor1989]

not accurate at all, variable of +- 6%

[bracken1]

I have a bf calculator on my scales, no idea how it works but its always within about 1-2% of the calipers test.
x

[nkingy2003]

Is there anyone out there that uses a hand held fat monitor on a regular basis? I have the calipers but find that there is too much room for error which is why I think maybe the hand held body fat calculator would be better.

[1111111111111111111111111111]

I have this -->

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/acc/fattrack.html

It tells me I'm 7% bodyfat when I clearly look 12%.

[IRockNikes]

It is completely inaccurate. Calipers are the way to go. Our schools PT was telling us on how the measurement can change from things like if you're hydrated or not. Peice of ****.

[nkingy2003]

I have this -->

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/acc/fattrack.html

It tells me I'm 7% bodyfat when I clearly look 12%.

So you are saying that calipers are giving you an inaccurate measurement. There doesnt seem to be any clear winner in terms of finding your body fat % accurately?

I know that one of the best ways to track your fat loss or muscle gain to weigh yourself and take measurement of your waist, shoulders, chest etc which will give you a good idea as to whether th weight you have put on is fat or muscle but I just wanted something to give me an accurate bodyfat measurement so I can track my lean mass.

[Wudaddy]

So you are saying that calipers are giving you an inaccurate measurement. There doesnt seem to be any clear winner in terms of finding your body fat % accurately?

I know that one of the best ways to track your fat loss or muscle gain to weigh yourself and take measurement of your waist, shoulders, chest etc which will give you a good idea as to whether th weight you have put on is fat or muscle but I just wanted something to give me an accurate bodyfat measurement so I can track my lean mass.

The most accurate way is to get your bf measured underwater with some high technology ****. But that stuff is way expensive for the average Joe. Calipers are the next best thing. Scales and online calculators are worst.

[kickchickbecca]

very innacurate.
Try it.
The go to the bathroom and try it again.

In many cases the number will change significantly.

[fireturk41]

the hand held ones usually put me at around 23% bf, highly inaccurate


calipers are usually 8-10% on me witch is far more accurate, just get 3 measurements done with a caliper and use the average

[Vipersg123]

I have this -->

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/acc/fattrack.html

It tells me I'm 7% bodyfat when I clearly look 12%.

the pinch test is tough... if you do it right you will get an accutate reading... except you have to REALLY pull the skin (to the extent that it will hurt.)

[eclipseboy2k2]

i was told that Bio-Electric Impedance testing (the handhold) is pretty accurate but like becca said if u pee the number will change because how hydrated you are will affect the reading

[chizzald]

not accurate at all, variable of +- 6%

I have shredded abs and you can see detail in my obliques.
Those hand-held ones always give me a real high reading.
The other day it was 18%.
I guarantee I am no more than 12%.
Calipers are more accurate, if done by someone who knows what they're doing