Body Fat % - What is it, and how to measure it!

[TaeFightr]

Great thread, I wish there were easier ways to measure this! I have a scale that claims to measure this but I don't think its very accurate!

[UnnieK]

Needed somewhere to unload this pic and this seems like the ideal place

I can't link the photo due to noob status. But this is the one my new gym uses and when they measured me with a handheld BIA which clocked me at 26% BF and that seemed to match my appearance between the 25 and 30% BF photos.

[bobette]

I got measured 1.5 years ago, a few months after I started lifting. 195 lbs
Dexa: 42%
Bodpod: 35%
fancy BIA they were testing: 37%

Now I weigh 185, and with calipers I get 29% (someone else did the 12 point measurements, very aggressively). anyone have any idea what a reasonable estimation might be?

[Sleepful]

Can you measure your own Bf% with a caliper? Or is it strictly necessary for a professional to do it for you? Is this an accurate/good way of tracking your own bf or is the tape method better?