Measuring body fat % accurately

[khayward777]

I've got a pair of Slim Guide calipers which is based on the manual and formulas for the 3 site system of reading. Is anyone using this caliper and the 3 site system of reading fat? If so how do you find the readings?

I've got a new client (282.04 LBS) who I took readings of this week, but when it came to the subscapular reading just under the scapula point, I battled to find any loose skin or underlying fat. I work with a lot of african clients and find this with most of them vs. the european clients I work with. I know he is carrying a lot of fat because his waist measurement is 128.9 cm. So in desperation I took a reading under his scapula instead where I could find rolls of soft fat. I've done this before with some of my clients and then everytime I measure I keep to the same methodology of reading at the same site each time. Even though I'm keeping to the same yard stick, would I be escalating his body fat readings incorrectly by doing this? I've always found thigh measuring to be difficult, due to the inability to find loose skin on the thighs and in his case his back feels the same as a thigh. I work alone so I can't ask colleagues for help and have read many articles on measuring body fat but this is out of the box.

[MateusMcClay]

sometimes it just takes practice to get comfortable with it. for subscap measurements make sure your client is reaching his/her arm (on the side of the measurement)behind them and up towards the shoulder blades.

for thigh measuremnts make sure your client isn't putting any body weight on the leg being meaured and make sure they are not contracting the muscles in the leg even the slightest bit.

[McJimmie]

With an obese client weighing almost 300lb, I would not bother too much about the BF numbers !

You'll be able to get them more accurate when he starts to lose some fat - take some tape measurements, and progress on those will be better able to gauge improvements.

[sargefit]

For a 300lb client I would not measure bodyfat. I would go by the tape measure and how they feel/how their clothes fit etc.

A lot of people get too hung up on bodyfat measurements when a simple tape measure will do the job just as well.

Edited to add; I don't routinely measure bodyfat on a client - only if they ask for it.

[jules_d1]

BF% measured with callipers innacurate for obese people.

Dont worry about it. Just focus on the scale.

[Physiologist]

Strong trainer...

Never bother with body fat % on the obese. It's not only highly innaccurate for the obese population, but it's highly humiliating for the client.

Take simple girth measurements of the hips, waist, shoulders, chest, arms and calves. Then compare those values 8 weeks later.

[MissKatieLyn]

I know this is an old thread, but thanks for the tip on measuring the Subscapular fat and how to position the arm. I was doing it wrong!

[Ronin4help]

I know this is an old thread, but thanks for the tip on measuring the Subscapular fat and how to position the arm. I was doing it wrong!

Meaning what? An obese client is still going to be obese no matter where you take the measurement.