Body Fat Measurement

**Cylon** · 10-06-2005, 10:53 AM

I was wondering if anyone had a good practice for measuring body fat? I know I use the floor scale that provides me with Fat, Muscle, and Water. Today I was talking with someone at the gym and said I should use a average of a hand held and a floor?

**Papi93** · 10-06-2005, 03:33 PM

The bodyfat calipers are supposed to be more accurate for measuring body fat percentage levels. Generally, they will provide you with a lower reading. The reason I says supposedly, earlier, is that you have to have someone with years of experience performing skinfold tests. Otherwise, the readings will not be as accurate. I always liked bioelectrical impedence because it did not involve human error. Bioeletrical impedence does not work well for bodybuilders, though. They will need a skinfold test. Just my two cents.

**Cylon** · 10-06-2005, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by striker93

The bodyfat calipers are supposed to be more accurate for measuring body fat percentage levels. Generally, they will provide you with a lower reading. The reason I says supposedly, earlier, is that you have to have someone with years of experience performing skinfold tests. Otherwise, the readings will not be as accurate. I always liked bioelectrical impedence because it did not involve human error. Bioeletrical impedence does not work well for bodybuilders, though. They will need a skinfold test. Just my two cents.

Thanks Striker93, I have a Soehnle at home but we all know that measures lower body fat. I was wondering if I should add it together with a hand held bioelec... to get a average?

**Papi93** · 10-06-2005, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by Cylon

Thanks Striker93, I have a Soehnle at home but we all know that measures lower body fat. I was wondering if I should add it together with a hand held bioelec... to get a average?

I would stick with one method, the one that produces the most consistent readings, and use it for the duration.
You could average it but I wouldn't.