BF testing

[Mac173]

What do you guys think is the most accurate way to test BF? I haven't tested mine for so long but really don't have any way to. Is there something that I could get for my on personal use that would be accurate and reliable?

 

[chestmaster1]

i forgot what the name for its is called but its hydro something, you get dunked in a tank of water

 

[Cutt29]

the bod pod is the most accurate with hydrostatic weighing or dual energy X-Ray absorptiometry (DEXA) coming in second

 

[Mac173]

I'm thinking more of something that I could do on a regular basis to monitor my BF. Something that I could purchase myself.

 

[Cutt29]

well, calipers then, but you need to be very skilled with them or have a trained technichan perorm the test if you want an accurate result

 

[cboogsrun]

well, calipers then, but you need to be very skilled with them or have a trained technichan perorm the test if you want an accurate result

they make calipers that have a sensitive button on top so when you apply a certain amount of pressure, it automatically measures it. Pretty easy

 

[solidspine]

Hydrostatic Weighing

Search google for a location, normally they come to the gym.

 

[bilter]

if you just want to gauge your progress just get some calipers take readings on your abs, pec, tricep and thigh. record the thickness and keep track. That is all I do. I really do not need to know if I am truely 8.7% BF but when I watch my abdominal skinfold go from 30mm to 14mm I know what I am doing is working.

 

[Twoguns]

calipers are not accurate at all, especially on men, because of where the tests are done on the body. Calipers results are bunk

 

[MR. BMJ]

I asked this question to the member Wilson6 when he used to post here, and his answer was the following....btw, he was one of the most knowledgeable members to post here IMO...used to post a lot over on the women's board a few years back:

....pending this is a 3 year old response
-------------------------------------------

I think the gold standard is still hydrostatic weighing with:

1) measured underwater residual volume

2) Bone density from a DEXA

3) Whole body water from at D2O dilution.

4-compartment model

A recently retired colleague, Bob Withers from South Australia has a number of publications on the topic. Has validated a number of formulas in his lab. You might want to check out some of his material.

W6

 

[CrazyK]

Until you get really lean all you need is a tape measure and a scale. Measure your waist, and make sure you're not losing too much weight as your waist shrinks and you're all good.

 

[Mac173]

if you just want to gauge your progress just get some calipers take readings on your abs, pec, tricep and thigh. record the thickness and keep track. That is all I do. I really do not need to know if I am truely 8.7% BF but when I watch my abdominal skinfold go from 30mm to 14mm I know what I am doing is working.

Never tried the calipers but like you said I don't really care if they are that accurate, just want to know if bf is changing or not. Anyone ever try the handheld gadget that you hold out in front of you with your thumbs on top. Don't know what it's called but you put your height, weight and sex in and it tells you your bf?

 

[bilter]

calipers are not accurate at all, especially on men, because of where the tests are done on the body. Calipers results are bunk

caliper results are not "bunk" if all you are trying to do is measure changes, they are a very ecinomical choice for this purpose.

 

[Twoguns]

caliper results are not "bunk" if all you are trying to do is measure changes, they are a very ecinomical choice for this purpose.

I can see changes with my eyes. For what they claim to do "tell you your bodyfat percentage" they are bunk, because they do not accurately do that.

The thing that you put your fingers on etc . . . supposedly sends a electric impulse through your body, the theory being that muscle is more dense than fat, so the machine measures how long it takes for the impulse to travel through you body. You be the judge as to the accuracy of such a machine.