How accurate are digital body fat calipers?

[youlikeadajuice?]

Anyone have any of these??

I don't care as much about accuracy, as I do as much about consistency.

By that I mean if Its off by 5%, I don't care. As long as, when I take a measurement - it will tell me how much body fat % I've put on from the last time I measured.

here they are:

http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com...easure-Fat-Calipers/Accu-fat-trackII-new.html

 

[Daisy_Girl]

They are not accurate OR consistent. They numbers are based off of body hydration levels. So if you maintain the EXACT same hydration level everyday, then they will be consistent. But the likely hood of that is pretty much the same likelyhood of me winning the Fitness Olympia this year.

 

[Lao Tzu]

you might want to also try the navy bodyfat method.

http://www.bblex.de/en/calc/navy.php

You measure your waist, neck and height. I've had the 7 site method done by a professional and used the navy method and the results were identical.

 

[artrius]

The navy method is very inaccurate. Maybe for some, it might be alright, but for those with pencil necks, you will have an overinflated bf%, and vice versa.

For me, its off by as much as 5%. For one person I know, it was off by around 10%.

Get some calipers like the accumeasure and have someone teach you how to use them. That's your best bet.

 

[adam wj]

They are not accurate OR consistent. They numbers are based off of body hydration levels. So if you maintain the EXACT same hydration level everyday, then they will be consistent. But the likely hood of that is pretty much the same likelyhood of me winning the Fitness Olympia this year.

i have whatever those "quality" ones are, and this post sums it up. i definently wouldnt buy them again

 

[Luciano_]

you might want to also try the navy bodyfat method.
http://www.bblex.de/en/calc/navy.php

Are you sure this method is acurate?
I got a very low figure, I do not hold much visible fat, but I do not hold much visible muscle either ...

 

[Lao Tzu]

Are you sure this method is acurate?
I got a very low figure, I do not hold much visible fat, but I do not hold much visible muscle either ...

works for me, i get identical to what the 7 point caliper method gives me.

 

[Luciano_]

mm, I got a 7.7 ... I know that I don't hold much fat, but I don't hold much muscle either .. should be compensated then !
I think I am more like a 10 or a 11 ...

btw, a stupid question ... Is the brain consider in the BF tests? Lots of fat there !!

Cheers!