Hydrostatic Body Fat Testing

[Makeupmonsterdo]

I would like to get this done and am trying to find a place that does it (I'm in Baltimore, Maryland).

I know that I can check with Universities to see which ones perform the service, and I will go that route as a last resort--I would prefer to not have some college kid ogle me in a bathing suit. So, does anyone know of a place in Maryland or even Virginia?

Thanks!

[Ms. Highside]

Sorry... my lab is in Santa Monica, CA. I don't know of any places on the east coast.

[Ninja J]

You could always do an online search for your area.. you have the entire internet at your finger tips.. use it. Also, you could call popular gyms and see if they know of any in the area, or somewhere close by.

[onebratt08]

I've heard that it can be expensive. I guess a lot of colleges have the capability of doing it...I would think they might be pretty cheap if a student does the testing.

Ms. Highside...would you mind giving us a rating of the methods - like best to worst. I have read different ratings of the methods...I'm interested in your opinion. I know we talked Bod Pod once (not being as accurate) - I thought my results were pretty accurate, but have heard that some people receive results that seemed very skewed with the Bod Pod (mainly bodybuilders).

[Ms. Highside]

Ms. Highside...would you mind giving us a rating of the methods - like best to worst. I have read different ratings of the methods...I'm interested in your opinion. I know we talked Bod Pod once (not being as accurate) - I thought my results were pretty accurate, but have heard that some people receive results that seemed very skewed with the Bod Pod (mainly bodybuilders).

Every website claims different percentages of accuracy for each type of test available.

From best to worst, I'd say.... (first 2 are almost interchangable in accuracy levels, other then price) Percentages are my personal opinions based on experience and/or research.

1) Hydrostatic Bodyfat Testing ($40-50 per test)...1-2% off
2) DXEA ($100 per test)...1-3% off
3) BodPod ($40-50/test) ... up to 6% off
4) Skin Calipers (by an skilled technician/trainer) (Free-$10)...up to 10% off, and even a REAL expert can be as close to 3-5% off
5) Bio-Impedance (practically useless!!) (Free-$10)...up to 15% off

[sb_cali]

I've heard that it can be expensive. I guess a lot of colleges have the capability of doing it...I would think they might be pretty cheap if a student does the testing.

Our univerisity does it here for $20. SO it's cheap because the students are doing it. They also do a 3 site caliper test as well. Only problem I see with hydrostatic is if the student does the math wrong....which has happened to me.

As far as body fat testing... I'm sure each method has it's drawbacks. The overall goal (my 2 cents) is to pick a method and stick with it. Then over time look for the downward trend.

sb_cali

[Ms. Highside]

Most colleges that perform this test....

#1... the technicians don't perform the test often enough to get proficient at it

#2... leave you to walk out the door with nothing more then a number, and no other advice or reports.