Body fat percentage

[matas]

How can I accurately measure my body fat at home? I saw some weighing scales at walmart for around 50 bucks that also measure body fat. Do these things work?

 

[Megatomic]

They work but they're not the most accurate instruments but for informal use they're pretty good.

 

[matas]

Would a skin fold caliper be more accurate?

 

[Megatomic]

I think so, just make sure to use 4 or more measurements to get the most accurate reading possible. But for home use, it's probably easier to just get the bioimpedence device. I've got one, it's within a few tenths of a percent of the caliper measurement I had from a nurse recently.

 

[Muse]

I've never had mine measured, I don't think, but I know enough about my body and how this stuff works where I can estimate my body fat percentage within about 1 percent. I'm confident of that. I'm no newbie at this stuff.

 

[towner]

I have only measured my BMI by the height/weight formulas..As far as I can tell, I am JUST barely within range of normal..5'9" at 165lbs.
I figure, I still have many a mile to walk, yet~

 

[presidentender]

Underwater weighing is best, calipers are next, then electronic resistance. I don't know about those scales.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: presidentender
Underwater weighing is best, calipers are next, then electronic resistance. I don't know about those scales.

The scales use bioimpedance to measure bodyfat.

If you get the scales, stay away from the Taylor brand. I have one and its readings are all over the place. I recently had a 3-point caliper test and a Tanita body composition machine (basically a fancy bioimpedance scale) analysis done at my gym and the results were within 1% of each other. On the other hand, the Taylor bodyfat scale I have at home gives wildly ranging answers, varying by as much as 40% from one day to the next. Sometimes it just gives an "EE" on the display, as in "error".

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: presidentender
Underwater weighing is best, calipers are next, then electronic resistance. I don't know about those scales.

The scales use bioimpedance to measure bodyfat.

If you get the scales, stay away from the Taylor brand. I have one and its readings are all over the place. I recently had a 3-point caliper test and a Tanita body composition machine (basically a fancy bioimpedance scale) analysis done at my gym and the results were within 1% of each other. On the other hand, the Taylor bodyfat scale I have at home gives wildly ranging answers, varying by as much as 40% from one day to the next. Sometimes it just gives an "EE" on the display, as in "error".

I'd also add that calipers are only accurate when the measurements are taken properly by a professional. If you don't use the right spots or don't pinch the skin quite right, the final result can be pretty far off.

 

[Elias824]

Last time I got my body fat tested was about a year ago at the gym by some trainer using a bioimpedance hand grip thing, not exactly sure what it is. It just came up as EE, wouldn't measure me even with a few tries. The height/weight measurement isnt anything close to accurate though. Water displacement is the best, but you have to get a professional to do it. The little hand scale things are decent to get a good idea of where you are at