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traineo Community / Exercise & Training Tips / Fat percentage calculation accuracy
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Dave O
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 159
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 # Posted: 22 Dec 2006 19:05 - Edited by: zap120


I realize that weight, water and all things in our bodies fluctuate hour to hour. My scale can measure my fat % and it fluctuates (sometimes up to 6%) during various times of the day.

My question is; how do I know when the fat % is the "correct" number since there seems to be such a wide discrepancy?

Is there a more accurate time to measure vs. another?
Fred L
Fitness Guru
Posts: 753
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 # Posted: 22 Dec 2006 19:09


I hate to be negative, but I hear the "device" you is not accurate.

I think have heard that body fat calipers are the most accurate.
K M
Fitness Guru
Posts: 392
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 # Posted: 22 Dec 2006 19:37


I agree that the "scale" may be inaccurate... but at the very least it should be consistently inaccurate.

In other words, the number per se may be wrong but any decreases should be worth considering.
Carl Smith
traineo Newbie
Posts: 11
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 # Posted: 22 Dec 2006 20:12


I wonder too. I've had a pro trainer measure mine last week (26.3%) & then another pro trainer measured yesterday (totally different measurement points) & he came up with another, largely different number (27.3%). Meanwhile, my weight is down by 3lbs. Go figure!
Bryce Klenck
traineo Newbie
Posts: 4
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 # Posted: 23 Dec 2006 06:17


Im a certified Personal trainer.. there are basically 3 accurate body fat measurements... Skin fold Calipers, Bioelectrical impedance and underwater weighting. Now the underwater weighing is the most accurate but not so easy to access. In response to Carls message about there are a few different forms of skin fold measurements. The most widely used is Durnins formuls which takes "pinches" from bicep, tricep, subscapula (back) and illiac crest (hip). Now you got to remember there is human error involved so always make sure your trainer measure twice to make sure hes consistent.. Consistency is the key.. Then in 6 weeks you can go back and have another "consistent" reading to see results.
Bryce
www.mobilizedexercise.com
Carl Smith
traineo Newbie
Posts: 11
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 # Posted: 23 Dec 2006 07:13


Thx Bryce.

I guess a variance of one percent isn't all that significant, now that I consider it.

I did wonder if it was kosher when I noticed the differences between choices of pinch points. Is that a somewhat flexible thing. or is there a single, accepted choice of points?


Bryce Klenck
traineo Newbie
Posts: 4
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 # Posted: 23 Dec 2006 19:20


The most excepted skin fold measurement is what is expressed above.. Thats what NASM and many other big names go by.. Just make sure when u do it once u do it by the same means the next time.. hopefully by the same person... for the most consistent results...
Carl Smith
traineo Newbie
Posts: 11
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 # Posted: 24 Dec 2006 04:58 - Edited by: FreedomCoach


Thx Again!

Oh, & Happy Holy-Daze to All as well!
Fred L
Fitness Guru
Posts: 753
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 # Posted: 25 Dec 2006 14:15


Bryce, can a common person like me just buy Skin Fold Calipers and get ACCURATE results?
Bryce Klenck
traineo Newbie
Posts: 4
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 # Posted: 25 Dec 2006 19:07


Yeah.. its not that hard.. the shin fold caliper will come with directions so i think u'll be good to go.. there a couple differnt ones out there. You can get the plactic ones but then ull have to use the formula.. They also make some that after 4 pinches automaticly calc you body fat %. those run about 200+ bucks. happy holidays
Bryce
Look for the skin fold calipers on ebay or, i buy alot of equipment from www.power-systems.com they are a little pricy but have it all..
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