What's the best methot to measure BF?

[mrt]

What's the best method to measure BF?

I know there are some cheap caliper type devices but they seem very inaccurate to me. I plan to get a reliable device and searched the net. There are expensive bioelectrical scale type monitors (Tanita), then there are more expensive IR types (Futrex) which seem much more convenient to use. But as these things get more advanced they also get very expensive...4-digit figures

What do you know about these and other methods for getting a correct BF measurement? What do you recommend?

 

[Big Mac Attack]

The mirror.


Otherwise you said it best in your post. I have a friend who is a docktor and use his machine- the one with electrodes on your feet and hand once a month just to see what direction im going. But he even said its somewhat inaccurate b/c your h20 levels affect the readout. They vary depinding where you are at during your cycle,time of day, did you eat alot of sodium in the past 24 hrs etc.

 

[mrt]

?

 

[mvmaxx]

Hyrdrostatic (underwater tank) is apparently the most precise method of bf measurement. Find a local University or ask around at gyms. Often there will be a company that owns a dunk tank in the back of a semi trailer and will schedule times at different gyms. Ask around.

 

[IronFist]

Hyrdrostatic (underwater tank) is apparently the most precise method of bf measurement. Find a local University or ask around at gyms. Often there will be a company that owns a dunk tank in the back of a semi trailer and will schedule times at different gyms. Ask around.

Took the words right out of my mouth...That is the only, truely accurate way...

 

[mrt]

Thanks for the replies... I also found some sites that confirm this and there are also some sort of x-ray machines (DEXA) that can take BF measurement very accurately, but all these stuff is hard to find and impossible to own. I was looking for something that I can own and give me reliable readings. Now I consider Tanitas BF-559 scale which can do lots of things and cost around $140. but the downside is that you have to get your readings in certain conditions. Also they say it won't give very accurate readings for professional athletes and bodybuilders due to their hydration level differences.

So, will this be good device to own or should I go with a reliable fat caliper?

 

[Stratus]

My friend got one of those things...it told him he had 17% bf...he was 2 weeks away from his first BB show and was shredded to the bone...needless to say, it wasn't very accurate

 

[mvmaxx]

If you want to own it then go with calipers. Otherwise I just go get dunked beginning and end of cycles.

 

[Nelson Montana]

What's the difference? It's like a scale -- it's going to fluctuate thoughout the day anyway.

Use a caliper. If one week you tend to be around 10% and the next week it's registering 13%, you're getting fatter. Does it matter if you're really 12$ or 14%?

The mirror is really the best answer.