BF Calipers

[Meta]

I recently placed an order with bodybuilding.com that came today, since my order was over $75 I got a free gift, so I chose one of these body fat calipers. It's this cheap little plastic thing right here



I tried and measured myself at 16%, which is about where I thought I was... just wondering if anyone ever used a little cheap caliper like this... and how accurate they are

[TheHorseman]

A 1 site pinch isnt always gonna be accurate. But the key thing about skinfolds is that the measurement is only as accurate as the measurer.

[Meta]

Originally Posted by TheHorseman

But the key thing about skinfolds is that the measurement is only as accurate as the measurer.

that's the problem... not quite sure if I'm doing it right. I mean I'm following the instructions, but I dunno if I'm pinching too much... not enough... etc.. oh well, at least it gives me some idea, and it was free, so I'm not complain if it doesn't work that well

[Meta]

and btw it's a 3 site pinch... for males it's:
where your chest meets your shoulder
abdomen, a few inches right of your bellybutton
and front of thigh, half way between knee cap and top of leg

add 3 measurements up in mm... then check the chart according to your age

[mitchcumstein]

7 site calculator


Form

[Meta]

I actually have a specific question about these now

when I measure the pinch... with the caliper should I grasp it at the top part of the fold? towards the center of the fold? or more towards the top?

before I was doing it more towards the bottom, when I did it again I did it more towards the top and I ended up being like 4-5% lower

it was around 16 when I measured towards the bottom, and 11-12% when I measured towards the top...

here's a pic... if someone could estimate what it looks like my BF is... I'm 5'10" 200 lbs.



I'm thinking 11-12 is too low... but it's easier to measure that way... when I measure lower it just feels awkward

[hrpiii]

I'm thinking 16-18%

[PhiSigPhi]

You should be grabbing the fold in the middle with the calipers. It's hard doing calipers on yourself anyways. I'd say hrpiii is right on the money.