Body Fat Calipers - JP Fitness Forums

jj · 04-11-2007, 05:52 AM

Well I just ordered Precision Nutrition, and I am now looking for a good pair of Skinfold Calipers. Any Suggestions?

MAXX · 04-11-2007, 06:24 AM

The Lange calipers.......$250 at PowerSystems.

jj · 04-11-2007, 06:35 AM

HOLY CRAP!!!

Okay, decent AFFORDABLE pair. But thank you for your reply.

John Izzo · 04-11-2007, 07:24 AM

Lange claipers are the standard used in gyms, but hard to use on yourself. The second thing is, you have to calculate the measurements into a formula that is usually accompanied with the kit. Although pricey ($250), they are accurate.
I like the Skyndex. The Skyndex are calipers adn have a digital readout built-in the handle to give you an instant readout after the 4th measurement. If yuo look at Alan Aragon's new avatar, he is holding a SKyndex caliper. They are even more expensive...$450.
You can probably go on Ebay and find a good pair for a bit cheaper. If you are going to use BF% for yourself (at home), I woudl just go with a Omron Bioelectrical Impedence Analyzer. yes, they may be off by about 5-7%, but if its just for you to check on progress...than it could be the way to go. They run about $50.

MAXX · 04-11-2007, 08:08 AM

For at-home use for me and my wife, i use the Slim Guide skinfiold caliper. It's only $25. Not as reliable as expensive models, but probably more accurate than some of the electrical impedance devices. You can find it and other devices at this link:

http://www.topendsports.com/testing/store-skinfolds.htm

After I take measurements, I enter them here to calculate the %:

http://www.linear-software.com/online.html

John, do you think entering measurements from the Lange on the site linked above is just as accurate as using the formula provided with the Lange calipers? I just assumed it was the same formulas, and it saves some calculating on the tester's part.

Big_D · 04-11-2007, 08:36 AM

I just recently bought the FatTrack II calipers, and they work really well, they are digital and have the Jackson/Pollock 3-site test built in.

Alan Aragon · 04-12-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Izzo

If yuo look at Alan Aragon's new avatar, he is holding a SKyndex caliper. They are even more expensive...$450.

Yup. It's what I use on my clients. On myself, I use the mirror + my wife's insults, I mean, comments.

Cynic · 04-13-2007, 07:00 AM

Well, people, unless jj is a professional nutritionist or PT, lets try to keep it within end user reason.

JJ, I'd say the fat tracks are good options. There is the pro model for approx $70 that does 7-pt sampling, but that means you need to have someone do a point on your back.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/acc/fat.html

The same company makes a 3-pt, bundled with their myotape product for about $30. The 3-pts means you won't have to ask for a second person to help, plus you get the tape for girth measurement.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/acc/fattrack.html

Lastly, there is the manual model, for about $14, and can do any amount of sampling, because it's manual and not programmed.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/acc/accu.html

jvernacchio · 04-13-2007, 02:59 PM

Just FYI I got a pair of free Accu-measure calipers with my PN kit. You will probably get one as well.

jj · 04-14-2007, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynic

Well, people, unless jj is a professional nutritionist or PT, lets try to keep it within end user reason.

JJ, I'd say the fat tracks are good options. There is the pro model for approx $70 that does 7-pt sampling, but that means you need to have someone do a point on your back.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/acc/fat.html

The same company makes a 3-pt, bundled with their myotape product for about $30. The 3-pts means you won't have to ask for a second person to help, plus you get the tape for girth measurement.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/acc/fattrack.html

Lastly, there is the manual model, for about $14, and can do any amount of sampling, because it's manual and not programmed.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/acc/accu.html

Thanks for the links Cynic, I'll definately look into all of these. Thank You to everyone else that has posted. I didn't know that PN came with a pair. I guess I will see how the ones that come with it work. jvernacchio do you know how well the ones that came with PN work? Are they farely accurate? Thanks again!

jj

liftintexas · 01-14-2008, 10:00 AM

bumping this ... has anyone used the fat tracks that Cynic references above? My Tanita bf scale is worthless. Would like a more accurate measure without having to spend 450 for calipers. Anyone had good experience with these?

bacardio · 01-14-2008, 10:06 AM

How difficult are the calipers to use. I was told once, that if you didn't have enough practice with them, that you tend to "over-pinch" the tissue. Meaning you not only grab fat, but also the underlying muscle.

Can a newbie, get reliable results?

liftintexas · 01-18-2008, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bacardio

How difficult are the calipers to use. I was told once, that if you didn't have enough practice with them, that you tend to "over-pinch" the tissue. Meaning you not only grab fat, but also the underlying muscle.

Can a newbie, get reliable results?

I'm not a newbie to working out, but am to using calipers. I just spent a while messing with it. One reading was almost 13%, another was 12, and two were 11.5. Not sure I'm really very good at it yet ...

bacardio · 01-18-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liftintexas

I'm not a newbie to working out, but am to using calipers. I just spent a while messing with it. One reading was almost 13%, another was 12, and two were 11.5. Not sure I'm really very good at it yet ...

Those are pretty consistent results, but what is your body fat really at. Did you have a "professional" do it for you so you know what you should be getting????

liftintexas · 01-18-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bacardio

Those are pretty consistent results, but what is your body fat really at. Did you have a "professional" do it for you so you know what you should be getting????

12.6 was the last time a professional did it over one year ago. Based on diet, consistency and what I can "see," I would guess around 11.5 is close. Somewhere between 11 and 12.

bacardio · 01-18-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liftintexas

12.6 was the last time a professional did it over one year ago. Based on diet, consistency and what I can "see," I would guess around 11.5 is close. Somewhere between 11 and 12.

Thats pretty good then.

I was checking out a couple of the other threads about calipers and measuring body fat, and JP was mentioning that he uses the Omron HBF-306 for measuring body fat - for getting consistent results for the purpose of progress watching, but not completely accurate readings. So I have been trying to decide which way to go.

DKing · 01-19-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jj

Thanks for the links Cynic, I'll definately look into all of these. Thank You to everyone else that has posted. I didn't know that PN came with a pair. I guess I will see how the ones that come with it work. jvernacchio do you know how well the ones that came with PN work? Are they farely accurate? Thanks again!

jj

I agree with Cynic here that we don't need overkill, just something to track progress.

The problem with the calipers posted is that you have to apply a constant pressure when you measure. I have both the calipers that come with PN (which I think are junk) and the fat track digital ones. Both can be really unreliable because you will tend to pinch harder or softer each time.

A better option is these: Amazon.com: Slim Guide Skin Fold Caliper: Health & Personal Care They are spring loaded so that once you take you figure off the trigger its a constant pressure each time. Plus they are fairly cheap, its what I use the majority of the time now. (Yes I own three pairs of calipers, how lame is that?)

Danny