Best Method for Measuring Bodyfat: Jackson/Pollock 3 site or Tape?

[RomanFalcon]

I recently started attempting to track my bodyfat to serve as a guide to my lean cutting plan. So far I have attempted the 2 site circumference tape around my neck/abdomen and just today I also tried the Jackson/Pollock 3 site pinch method with calipers. I watched the videos, so I am pretty confident that my methodology isn't off, but my reading for one was 23.4% with tape and 20% with Jackson/Pollock. That seems like a pretty wide deviation between the two options. It would be great if I were at 20% BF already, but I am extremely doubtful of that.

Is there anything definitive to suggest that one method is supremely more accurate versus the other?

Thank you.

[sunsean]

Is there anything definitive to suggest that one method is supremely more accurate versus the other?

Thank you.

Nope. Don’t go looking for an exact number; rather, use the calipers consistently to track your trends over time.

[Tucane]

IME Jackson Pollock gave me false lows in the past, it became really obvious when I was around 8%BF and it gave me a 4%-reading.

Tape measure is the more consistent one of the two from what I remember. It really doesn't matter though, as any of them can be used to track progress over time, which matters more than a spec number.

[Tommy W.]

Don't look for a certain %, look for progression. This can be done by measuring your waist at the navel, 1" of loss here signifies abou 5-7 lbs of fatloss. BF% is really a meaningless number actually. Even the extremely expensive machines can be way off. Plus the way someone stores fat can be a huge factor. 2 people with the same BF% can look vastly different.

[broganoff]

Don't look for a certain %, look for progression. This can be done by measuring your waist at the navel, 1" of loss here signifies abou 5-7 lbs of fatloss. BF% is really a meaningless number actually. Even the extremely expensive machines can be way off. Plus the way someone stores fat can be a huge factor. 2 people with the same BF% can look vastly different.

I've always wondered- is it best to relax your belly or even push it out as much possible? Or suck it in? What is the standard when bodybuilders give measurements?

I use a myotape FWIW, seems to help with the accuracy and consistency.

[RomanFalcon]

Thanks for the responses fellas. I understand that BF% is essentially arbitrary in it's own right. I will stick with the tape since I have been doing it for longer, and have built a better baseline with said measurements regarding progress.