Is it hard to measure obese folks with calipers?

[bigbaldpapa]

I am around 375 and want to get some calipers but wanted to make sure i would even get any kind of accuracy out of them if i had them.

Thanks folks.

[MrSinister]

if you're talking a pinch test, its obviously much easier to pinch fat off someone whos overweight.. btw i wouldnt recommend buying calipers unless u have someone else to measure you who knows what their doing, theres no way you can get your back or rear tricep measurements yourself, and they are prime fat storage areas

[misstransformer]

Originally Posted by bigbaldpapa

I am around 375 and want to get some calipers but wanted to make sure i would even get any kind of accuracy out of them if i had them.

Thanks folks.

Hey Jas, if you have trouble finding someone to test you accurately with calipers, maybe you can call around to find hydrostatic or bod pod testing near you. Both are very accurate. In the mean time, take plenty of measurements. I hope things work out.

http://www.bodpod.com/

http://www.getdunked.com/home/default.asp

p.s. Local hospitals or universities may offer both as well.

[bigbaldpapa]

Reps for both of you. Thanks!

[cornwallus]

Originally Posted by bigbaldpapa

I am around 375 and want to get some calipers but wanted to make sure i would even get any kind of accuracy out of them if i had them.

Thanks folks.

Yeah I don't think calipers are accurate for a major obese, and then when you lose it you'll have quite a bit of skin around the gut adding to the inaccuracy, Maybe a tape measure/ mirror, or as suggested try and find an underwater testing centre

[blueguitar322]

Tom Venuto (author of "Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle") believes that calipers aren't as accurate for men above 25% body fat (or women above 33%), and he recommends to his overweight clients to use other measurements (tape measurements, clothing size, pictures, weight, etc). In his opinion (and I'd agree with him from my [very] limited experience), calipers start being valuable around 20% body fat (men) and really come into their own as "most accurate measurement device" at <15%.

I'm around 19-20% body fat at the moment, and I still get varying results based on how "wide" an area I pinch. It takes some practice to get consistent...and I can also say it's substantially easier for me now than when I was at 24% or so.

Dave

[bigbaldpapa]

Originally Posted by cornwallus

Yeah I don't think calipers are accurate for a major obese, and then when you lose it you'll have quite a bit of skin around the gut adding to the inaccuracy, Maybe a tape measure/ mirror, or as suggested try and find an underwater testing centre

Man, your transformation is incredible. I hope to add my story to these forums soon. Great work man.

[bigbaldpapa]

Originally Posted by blueguitar322

Tom Venuto (author of "Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle") believes that calipers aren't as accurate for men above 25% body fat (or women above 33%), and he recommends to his overweight clients to use other measurements (tape measurements, clothing size, pictures, weight, etc). In his opinion (and I'd agree with him from my [very] limited experience), calipers start being valuable around 20% body fat (men) and really come into their own as "most accurate measurement device" at <15%.

I'm around 19-20% body fat at the moment, and I still get varying results based on how "wide" an area I pinch. It takes some practice to get consistent...and I can also say it's substantially easier for me now than when I was at 24% or so.

Dave

I should get a tape and take measurements and dare i say even post images here for help? Ack!