Bodybuilding.com - Body-fat Calipers Video Guides! Get Correct Measurements Everytime.

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Did you know?
Fat free mass (FFM) is the part of the body not containing fat, including: bone, muscle, skin, organs, water, and hair.

Body-fat measurement calipers are readily available today and because of technological improvements have become more accurate. What type of caliper would fit your budget.

Part 2 - Caliper Options.

By: David Robson

When one considers the emphasis many place on achieving their best possible shape physically, it is no surprise the supplement and training industries are booming. There are many approaches to getting, and staying, in shape, with the majority of these revolving around diets and training plans.

However, to achieve superior conditioning, many turn to new and innovative ways to measure their progress. Body-fat measurement has for some time been considered an ideal way to chart physical improvement, with various skin-fold techniques generally considered the most convenient, accessible and cost-effective way.

Indeed, the measurements taken from a skin-fold body-fat test, provide a very good indication of ones body-fat levels. Skin-fold measurements can be converted into a percentage, which can be compared to various norms, and improvements in diet and/or training intensity can subsequently be made to further strip body-fat, to meet physical objectives.

Although a good way in which to chart progress, it should be said that calipers cannot be totally accurate. In fact, in some circles it is thought that skin-fold measurements, not body-fat percentage, will provide greater accuracy when monitoring changes. Rob Thoburn, scientific advisor for BSN nutrition, remembers using calipers in exactly this way.

"I was working for a supplement company several years ago and a group of us guys in R&D would have these in-house body fat competitions.

"We would measure ourselves with calipers. We wouldn't use any complicated formula to figure out our body fat percentage. We simply added up the measurements we got with the calipers on different locations in the body.

Below are some caliper options available to the general public.

Caliper Options

The caliper measurement options reviewed below are generally regarded as the best available, as they are easy to use and scientifically tested. As body-fat measurement technology has progressed, calipers have also improved in a variety of ways.

Accu-Measure Personal Body-Fat Tester

Other types of calipers generally require the services of a qualified professional as they more complex to use, and, as a result, there is a greater possibility for error if self-testing.

Benefits:

Measure within one-percent of gold-standard underwater weighing results.
Easy to read measurements.
Clinical proven accuracy.
No dangerous electronic current or false readings.
Easy to use.
Fat loss can be monitored within seconds.
Very cost effective.

[ Order Info ]

Video Instruction:

Male Bodybuilder:
Abdominal
WMV (566 KB)
MPEG (2.6 MB)
Chest
WMV (406 KB)
MPEG (1.8 MB)
Thigh
WMV (820 KB)
MPEG (3.8 MB)
Figure Competitor:
Triceps
WMV (351 MB)
MPEG (1.5 MB)
Waist
WMV (322 MB)
MPEG (1.4 MB)
Thigh
WMV (432 MB)
MPEG (1.9 MB)
Average Male:
Abdominal
WMV (380 KB)
MPEG (1.7 MB)
Chest
WMV (356 KB)
MPEG (1.6 MB)
Thigh
WMV (198 KB)
MPEG (867 KB)

Fat-Track Gold, Body-Fat Tester

Recommended by publications, Oxygen, Physical, Shape, Ironman, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Max Sports & Fitness, American Health and Fitness, IDEA Personal Trainer, and Natural Muscle, Fat-track Gold could be the most effective caliper testing method yet.

Benefits

Uses the aforementioned Jackson-Pollack body density equations for determining body fat.
Audible beep indicates correct pressure and measurement, ensuring accuracy.
Self-calibrating for lifetime accurate measurements.
Fitness rating indicator based on gender, age & body fat %.
Stores 3 personal profiles.
Statistical reports display-shows maximum and minimum readings at each measuring point.
Very cost effective.

[ Order Info ]

Video Instruction:

Male Bodybuilder:

Abdominal
WMV (265 KB)
MPEG (1.2 MB)

Chest
WMV (339 KB)
MPEG (1.5 MB)

Thigh
WMV (241 KB)
MPEG (1 MB)

Figure Competitor:

Triceps
WMV (357 MB)
MPEG (1.6 MB)

Waist
WMV (442 MB)
MPEG (2 MB)

Thigh
WMV (346 MB)
MPEG (1.5 MB)

Average Male:

Abdominal
WMV (287 KB)
MPEG (1.2 MB)

Chest
WMV (364 KB)
MPEG (1.6 MB)

Thigh
WMV (302 KB)
MPEG (1.3 MB)

Harpenden Skin-Fold Calipers

The Harpenden, valued at over $400, is touted as the most accurate skin-fold caliper in existence as it can be read to the nearest 0.1 mm, and can measure up to 55 mm.

Benefits

Highest quality.
A standard research tool.

Lafayette Skin-Fold Calipers

The measurement range with these calipers is 0-100mm, double that of the Harpenden model. Lafayette's unique skin-fold design also has an adjustable zero-point which allows one to reset the pointer back to zero.

Benefits

Features floating tips for parallel measurements and a large, easy to read dial.
Delivers a constant pressure of 10 gm/mm2 which is necessary for the Jackson-Pollock skin-fold equations.

Lange Calipers

Benefits

Accurate to + or - 1mm.
Tips pivot automatically for parallel measurement.
Easy to read scale up to 60 mm.
All critical pivot points utilize low friction bearings.
Spring loaded leavers provide a substantially constant standard pressure.

Example Of How Fat-Track Gold Calipers Work

Subject: Natalie Robson.
Gender: Female.
Age: 29.
Height: 171cms.
Weight: 50kg.

Natalie Robson Fat-Track Gold Calipers Tests

Test Triceps Waist Thigh Total

First Test 3.0 5.0 3.0 6.3%

Second Test 3.0 5.0 3.0 6.3%

Third Test 3.0 5.0 3.0 6.3%