Most accurate isn't necessarily the best in other ways. The very most accurate would be autopsy. That's not usually fun for the living, however. DEXA (xray) is pretty decent, depending on the person doing the test, but expensive. Hydrostatic weighing good, usually expensive. Others less good.
Your best bet is to go with something that you can track. Your absolute number is never really known, it's variable. If you can track it and see your trend, know a general range you could be in, you're pretty much gonna get the most use out of it. 7 or 9 site caliper or bioimpedence are usually good enough for this purpose.
Also it's good to track other things like clothing sizes, girth measurements, etc, and get a more complete picture of yourself and more points for progress if you're looking at any kind of recomp goal.
Bioimpedance can be accurate for some, and totally not for others. If it gives you a trend you can use to work with, great. It'll give you an approximate number, but your water levels can mess with it. I "trust" it for general purpose, but wouldn't bet money on the number it gave you.
Yeah, prolly best before a workout, as you lose a decent amount of water after a workout. Usually, like a scale, these devices are best when you take your average, using it at about the same time every day, under the same conditions. So if you got a scale that gives bodyfat readings, like the scale weight, it'd be "best" to use something like in the morning, after elimination, before eating, nekkid, etc.
Tanita and Omeron (sp?) both make decent scales with them, as brands to start with.
What are you hoping to accomplish? What will you do with the number once you know it?
I plan on starting a training log tomorrow so I just want to get a better indicator of what I need/want to accomplish. I'm pretty sure my body fat is around 16-18% In not positive though. Depending on the results, I would like to get under 10% by years end.
It will prolly give you a good enough reading to start with. Plenty of people use them around here, and for me they read about 4% higher than caliper tests. There's also people that can give you a guestimate based on pictures, around in a few places. Presumably your number goals are for general guidelines and you're really looking to acheive a look that a certain percentage should give you? If so, just remember that even if your percentage is dead on, it may not give the look if your distribution of fat is different from "the standard" and works against you. But, it's as good as any place to start.
I'm sure other people around can comment more to help out.
welcome aboard the JPFitness train!! As far as any measurement device... They are just tools to help you track your progress and stay motivated. If you are using a bioimpedance device (tanita scale, etc.) try and do it at the same time of the day under the same conditions. Myself, I do it as soon as I wake up - post urination (but not post anything else), and then post bedtime shower. Then look at the trend, as long as by the end of the month it has moved down a bit - then I am making progress. If it shoots up a day or two- don't sweat it!!
Best thing is to strip down and stand in front of the mirror and see how you look. If you look better - then you are going in the right direction- If you are looking really good - cover yourself in whipped cream- and if that looks good, call your wife and see what happens!
good luck
cheers
peter
__________________
Peter
After all, diamonds are a girl's best friend…
welcome aboard the JPFitness train!! As far as any measurement device... They are just tools to help you track your progress and stay motivated. If you are using a bioimpedance device (tanita scale, etc.) try and do it at the same time of the day under the same conditions. Myself, I do it as soon as I wake up - post urination (but not post anything else), and then post bedtime shower. Then look at the trend, as long as by the end of the month it has moved down a bit - then I am making progress. If it shoots up a day or two- don't sweat it!!
Best thing is to strip down and stand in front of the mirror and see how you look. If you look better - then you are going in the right direction- If you are looking really good - cover yourself in whipped cream- and if that looks good, call your wife and see what happens!
good luck
cheers
peter
LMAO! Can I save the whipped cream for her instead?
I wouldnt use the bioimpedance device for an accurate measure but like others said maybe a fairly good way to gauge progress if you do it at the same time, same day a week, and try and have the same variables. Otehr then that I would gauge progres not on the scale but on the mirror and moreso performacne and how your clothes fit
If you want an acuarate measure I woulf go with a DEXA or a new devaice like the one we have an ultra sound Bodymetrix device. You can hear about it in the following link, its pretty cool
EVENT: BodyMetrix by Intelametrix Conference Call
DATE & TIME: Wednesday, April 30th at 3:00pm Pacific
FORMAT: Simulcast! (Attend via Phone or Webcast -- it's your choice)
TO ATTEND THIS EVENT, CLICK THIS LINK NOW... http://instantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=2708400
The best way to calculate body fat %
Linear Mode
