How can I measure my fat levels (in % form), as reported by members in a lot of threads?
How to measure fat levels
Started by irongymnast, August 19, 2009 · 7 Replies · 3,821 Views
Either get checked in a facility that has underwater weighing device or a Bodpod, or get someone with a lot of experience to take your skin fold measurements with a caliper. The caliper needs to be from the caliberated kind, and not the 5 $ plastic ones, the person taking the measurements needs to have at least a couple of thousands of tests behind him, and the number of sites where the test is being taken should be from 7-12, the higher, the better.
Otherwise, I wouldnt bother with body fat testing, and would concentrate on photos to measure changes.
One last thing, the bio impedance measurement devices are a waste of time and money, they are useless for body fat measuring, due to their relience on liquid balance in the body, a factor that varies too much to get an accurate measurement.
So devices like the one used in this video are not correct methods?
Yes, this device has little value in real body fat testing.
Ido - I know the calipers dont get realy body fat %age. But is it possible to use them to get a RELATIVE CHANGE value over time. Basically, to measure that your skin folds are getting smaller over time...??
Let's say there is a 3-7% difference error between a BodPod measurement and Caliper measurement. Given, the ERROR remains same, would it not be possible to atleast log the Variation of Body Fat over time (months of working out)??
PS: I've been considering getting those calipers for the above reason. Thoughts?
I did not say calipers were bad. They are an excellent tool.
I would advice to get a quality one, though. The ones which rely on your own pressure are not accurate at all.
You need a spring caliberated caliper. Like Lang or Harpenden. (not cheap..)
Ido.
Thanks. Now I wish I could go back to Houston 
A wellness center used to have 30$ bod pod assessments.
Dont know if I can find one in India.
Ido Portal said:I did not say calipers were bad. They are an excellent tool.I would advice to get a quality one, though. The ones which rely on your own pressure are not accurate at all.
You need a spring caliberated caliper. Like Lang or Harpenden. (not cheap..)
Ido.
Ido- Whats the 'least expensive' I can buy or look up on one of these that you suggested?
Seriously, I need something to measure mine. It need not be super accurate in some ways.. I need it to be able to SHOW VARIANCE... or DELTA i.e. Change in Body Fat over a span of time... So I know if my workout + my food was having a certain Body Composition effect.
e.g. Lets say it shows BF as 15%.. when in reality I might be at 18%... Thats fine as long as when I measure 6 / 8 weeks later I can see whatever SHIFT ...Up or Down 3 or 4% is atleast a RELIABLE.. CHANGE in BF.. for me to determine how my Workout+Diet etc worked..
Suggestions / thoughts?