I did a search on the forum and could not find anything specific on the subject. If anyone knows of a thread about it, please post here.
Does anyone measure their own body fat? I've read of Accumeasure. Has anyone tried it? Also it seems like the local sports retail stores don't carry them. Is the internet the only place to buy them?
Thanks.
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You can use between one and 7 point measurements to get higher accuracy (although any thing above 3 needs an accomplice).
Been happy with it (although I'd rather it made me out more studly than I am of course....).
And most importantly....cheap as chips!
Keith, the Bioimpedance device? Are they not affected by hydration levels, sweaty palms and half a dozen other variables?
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I use the Omron as well. It can be affected by those factors mentioned. You shouldn't use it after eating or drinking, taking a shower, etc. I use it in the morning when I first wake up. I'd say it's accurate within 2-3% (from my own experience anyway). Since I use it the same time each time, it helps to gauge progress. I know it will not give me a perfect number. If you want as close to a perfect measure as you can get, you'd need to do hydrastatic weighing. So I guess in thinking about it, using just about any method would be okay to look at changes, just realize your number may not be a perfect read.
So..... I shouldn't use the Omron while drinking my coffee, eating a donut and taking a shower? [img]tongue.gif[/img] All at the same time of course. [img]tongue.gif[/img] hehehehehehehe I'm in one of those moods today.
I just had this thread in the nutrition section.. my second post on it
Quote:
The scale we have cost around 50$..
I want to get calipers because they mesure specific areas.. an 18% bf on the scale can mean 25% on the thighs.. and 10% on the abdomen or what ever.. For calipers there are tables with 3 or 7 readings i think so you do the average according to the tables.
But calipers only measure the superficial fat. Some people have fat real deep in their bodies.. arteries and whatnot.. and for "health" reasons.. it is important to know about that fat as well.
I've only had it done ages ago .. when I was on a fencing team... what I've heard is that it takes quite a bit of experience in using them accurately.
My thinking is use the scales and calipers.. but don't believe 100% what you read from them.
I can add that I have ordred calipers..should be getting them any day.. and it's mostly to make sure I don't go overboard in the diet thing.. since there is such bf% difference between my abs and legs (I think)
GYMRAT : the type of scale I have, also gives us the hydration level. so we can really compare apples with apples.
Other than that, I think that if someone wants an Average % for thier body.. they really need to get the 7 mesures, not the 3.
and cost.. well.. with calipers you still (usually) need a scale for the family, and we were just at a time that we wanted to buy a new one. The BIA scales are ALOT cheaper than a few years ago... so when changing bathroom scales.. I think it's a good idea : )
(My son got the old one for his place)
Electric fat analyzers are not accurate.
Foot scales measure me 4-10%. If I use arm analyzer, the result is "error: out of range".
I think, 7-site formula with caliper is the best portable method.
I use the Accumeasure. I have used the single, 3 point and seven point and they pretty much are in the same range as the single. I measure about once a month. BF has varied between 10 and 12% for over a year now. That's a good range for me.
Mahler
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My BIO scale sucks ass, I wouldn't trust it to analyze my fat if you paid me.
That being said the last time I had a caliper test done, which was about a year ago, they had a higher end electric scale that measured via the feet.
It put me exactly where the calipers did.
So it's possible bio measuring can be as accurate as calipers but there are other factors that can effect it.
Og.
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the omron (in my experience) is more accurate than the scales ( but both tend to test either upper or lower body respectively because any current will travel the shortest path possble, be it arm to arm or foot to foot ) anyway, I did hydrostatic weighing and the omron on the same day a while back in school and they were only about .8 % apart from each other. just my 2 cents. I usually use the accumeasure, though, and as long as you're consistant, it's a decent judge.
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Today I visit a whole bunch of vitamim and nutrition stores, department stores, pharmacies, sporting goods, even a few gyms and NONE have the caliper for sale. I guess I'll have to buy it on the internet.
__________________ We are only human so long as our thoughts are humane
Marykaa, you know when you want something on the spot? After I started driving around I was always hoping to find it in the next store. I guess I'm just frustrated.
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