How innacurate are caliper measurements? (BF%)

**newbrew** · 02-01-2005, 09:15 PM

Is there any +/- % that is usually associated with caliper measurements?

**SwoleDave** · 02-01-2005, 09:18 PM

no, usually it's user error, and water weight.... the best way to measure bodyfat is to shell out the bucks and go with to one of those underwater scales, but i'm not willing to pay that much

**Consistency** · 02-01-2005, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by SwoleDave

no, usually it's user error, and water weight.... the best way to measure bodyfat is to shell out the bucks and go with to one of those underwater scales, but i'm not willing to pay that much

Luckily, my school has one of those BF underwater scales and I get to do it in one of my physiology labs

**Hot-Rox** · 02-01-2005, 10:13 PM

With someone who knows how to use them, calipers can be within 2% to 3%.

**1-Cent** · 02-01-2005, 11:47 PM

I'll never use them again, the tech school i went to had an underwater displacement scale thingy for the physiology/med students and they didn't mind other students using it if they had a reason. It measured me at 5.5% during the summer semester, according to calipers used at the same time I was over 8% and i'm pretty good with them so don't trust them... since i don't go there anymore i'm not sure how i'll find out accurately

i'd trust the mirror before calipers though