Bodyfat calipers

[Meloncap78]

Having a trained individual perform an 8 point fat caliper test resulted in a much lower reading than I believe myself to be. He took stomach, suprailiac, chest, bicep, tricep, back (subscapular) quad and calf. Is it possible for this test to be off by 10-12%?

[The God Himself]

Calipers gonna give you some information about your bodyfat but it might not be as accurate as other methods available, If measurements are taken by a professional, body calipers work well with an error margin of 3-5%. However, there are still better methods such as dexa scan and hydrostatic weighing (which is the best imho).
See the link below for a detailed analysis and comparison of 10 methods available:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition...asure-body-fat

[Meloncap78]

Calipers gonna give you some information about your bodyfat but it might not be as accurate as other methods available, If measurements are taken by a professional, body calipers work well with an error margin of 3-5%. However, there are still better methods such as dexa scan and hydrostatic weighing (which is the best imho).
See the link below for a detailed analysis and comparison of 10 methods available:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition...asure-body-fat

My results came back at 6%. This is not even close to what I am.

[The God Himself]

My results came back at 6%. This is not even close to what I am.

At %6, I don't think you'll need measurements to predict your body fat ratio
Most probably that dude did the measurements wrong, it takes a lot of practice to do it correctly that's why its not optimal at all.
Try dexascan.

[Butcher78]

My wife is a person trainer and uses calipers on clients all the time. However, she has access to hydrostatic which can show 5-10% difference from the calipers depending on the client.

[Test Monsterone]

So calipers are basically useless it seems... If they are off by that much.

[Windex]

So calipers are basically useless it seems... If they are off by that much.

They are certainly useful if used correctly. They also need to be used consistently in the same environment (eg every Sunday morning fasted). No different than body measurements or scale reading.

Anyone can tie a knot, but a speciality knot (boating, camping, etc) requires practise. Same concept.

DEXA and Hydrostatic are great tools as well but also require preparation to be accurate. Dr Layne Norton has a good article (or lecture) on how they can be poor indicators when used incorrectly.

[Charlie67]

So calipers are basically useless it seems... If they are off by that much.

If you need to know the EXACT number for some reason, ok, I get it. Personally I don't need an exact number, 10% or 12% or 9% or 13% whatever, its close enough... I care about the direction I am heading. Am I going in the right direction when I make a change? So many people overlook the value of consistency and trends. Even if my fat calipers are off by 10%, if I measure myself and it tells me I'm 25% in week one, 23% in week two, 19% in week 4....etc. Even though the device is "off" by 10%, as long as I am doing the measuring in the same way every time, its still confirmation I'm doing the right things. We don't always need perfect numbers to succeed. Sometimes we get so caught up in the specifics that we miss the big picture... Simplicity facilitates many things.

They are certainly useful if used correctly. They also need to be used consistently in the same environment (eg every Sunday morning fasted). No different than body measurements or scale reading.

This is the truest part. Consistency and regularity.

Best of luck,
C-

[Test Monsterone]

I see what you guys mean. Personally I've never done a legitimate body fat measurement except the one at the gym where you hold this device with both hands... which probably is next to useless. If and when I get one, I want to be as accurate as possible so I have an accurate baseline, and so I can post correct numbers on here when I'm giving my 2 cents, ;-)