2 body fat measurements and 2 very different results!

thehamo

Now, the last time I got checked was back in December and I came in at 22ish%. Was done using a calipers and bio sig.

Got it measured today by a different but very reputable trainer, again using a calipers and came in at 13%. I know I've lost a few kg over the past few months but no way it could be 10% almost! So what do I believe? Second one used the Jackson pollock method.

Should I go for a 3rd opinion or just take it that I'm 13% bf??

Hanley

thehamo wrote: »

Now, the last time I got checked was back in December and I came in at 22ish%. Was done using a calipers and bio sig.

Got it measured today by a different but very reputable trainer, again using a calipers and came in at 13%. I know I've lost a few kg over the past few months but no way it could be 10% almost! So what do I believe? Second one used the Jackson pollock method.

Should I go for a 3rd opinion or just take it that I'm 13% bf??

Hilarious. And exactly why bf% is such a load of crap.

No one can tell you.

Did they both use the same calipers? Which JP formula was used (4 or 7)? Did both trainers use the same formula, measure you at the same time of day and at the same time relative to your workout?

There's too many variables. Which is exactly why I hate telling people a BF% and will instead quote mm readings from specific sites on their body.

If you really absolutely HAVE to know for whatever reason, get a DEXA scan. But unless abs are starting to show, I'd say you're deffo >13%.

Burkatron

Hanley wrote: »

Hilarious. And exactly why bf% is such a load of crap.

No one can tell you.

Did they both use the same calipers? Which JP formula was used (4 or 7)? Did both trainers use the same formula, measure you at the same time of day and at the same time relative to your workout?

There's too many variables. Which is exactly why I hate telling people a BF% and will instead quote mm readings from specific sites on their body.

If you really absolutely HAVE to know for whatever reason, get a DEXA scan. But unless abs are starting to show, I'd say you're deffo >13%.

This is all wrong, OP you need to take a picture holding a shoe to get an accurate body fat% reading!!

thehamo

The JP method was 7 site calculation.

TBH i was kinda thinkin, nah im deffo not 13%bf when I heard it. But I would carry a lot of my fat around the abdomen/man handles. just wanted to see bf% as an indicator instead of weight as a whole. Suppose il stick to the aul fashioned measuring tape!

Burkatron wrote: »

This is all wrong, OP you need to take a picture holding a shoe to get an accurate body fat% reading!!

Why the shoe? I was lead to believe you needed to hold up a copy of the news of the world to get an acurate bf measurement????

Burkatron

thehamo wrote: »

The JP method was 7 site calculation.

TBH i was kinda thinkin, nah im deffo not 13%bf when I heard it. But I would carry a lot of my fat around the abdomen/man handles. just wanted to see bf% as an indicator instead of weight as a whole. Suppose il stick to the aul fashioned measuring tape!




Why the shoe? I was lead to believe you needed to hold up a copy of the news of the world to get an acurate bf measurement????

http://tnation.t-nation.com/free_online_forum/sports_body_training_performance_bodybuilding_strength/deadlifts_and_cns

Some epic piss taking came out of this!!

Mellor

Do you have the original readings for each sites, and currents sites.
It might be better to compare them.

But even still, different PT, calipers etc introduces variance.
What weight were you at each test.
i think you know yourself that you aren't 13%

Dotcomdolly

Cheaper than the dexa you can get a bod pod test done in ucd for 65e.
I got a 10 asfair site test done by my pr & he got 17% , yeah in my dreams!

Mellor

Dexa isn't that expensive really.
I pay $85, which is about 65 euro. And Dubin tends to be cheaper than Sydney.
gogling suggest you can get it for free through some clinics. (they'd have it for checking bone density)

Dotcomdolly

Mellor wrote: »

Dexa isn't that expensive really.
I pay $85, which is about 65 euro. And Dubin tends to be cheaper than Sydney.
gogling suggest you can get it for free through some clinics. (they'd have it for checking bone density)

In ucd where they have the bod pod it's €95.
But I just found this place for only €45
http://www.meridianclinic.ie/home_ns_55.html

I can't imagine anywhere would do it for free unless you referred by your doctor to have one to check on bone density because of a specific concern.

The Guvnor

Bodyfat is IMO more about our ego and the number than how we actually look.

I've known people who claimed to always be 5% and were at this level for years.

I once got a 5% reading but then this was done on three sites - tri's. bi's and pec.

At the time I was about 10%.

I did perhaps flex the tricep a bit as measurement was being taken.:D

I remember three bb'ers from Unique Physique went out to Total Fitness in Castleknock for a special bodyfat reading a few weeks before a show - basically like the scales nowadays but back then these were new and 'hi-tech'.

Anyway all three came back devastated and disgusted with the results - phrases such as 'no f..king way am I 12%, load of sh..e these things are etc. etc.'

They did not look any different but the number was all wrong so they were then a tad paranoid about it!:D

IMO & IME a tape measure and a mirror are your best guide.

Doug Cartel

I got a 7 site measurement done once - by someone who knew what they were doing - and I was told that depending on the formula used I was either 7% or 11% BF. That's a pretty big spread, and that's without introducing the errors you'll get from taking another set of measurements.

brownej

Given that there seems to be alot of variation around using a callipers for BF measurments, I assume the electronic gizmos where you hold it with both hands and get a reading is complete horse****?

coco987

Great post， thanks for sharing!

thehamo

Mellor wrote: »

Do you have the original readings for each sites, and currents sites.
It might be better to compare them.

But even still, different PT, calipers etc introduces variance.
What weight were you at each test.
i think you know yourself that you aren't 13%

Think I'm 2kg lighter than I was back in December. But that said, my waist measurement is smaller by a mile and have gained a bit more muscle. Even still, I haven't lost 10% bf!

I know full well I'm not 13. As Hanley said, u would start to see a bit of a six pack coming through and I'm far from that.

As I say, I'm just gonna stick to the measuring tape from now on. That's a measurement that can't lie!

Mellor

Dotcomdolly wrote: »

I can't imagine anywhere would do it for free unless you referred by your doctor to have one to check on bone density because of a specific concern.

Apparently StMarys in the park is free.
And it is down to bone density checks but that's a concern for all older people, not just those with a condition.
I've no idea what requirements they have to see people. Or if they'll even share full results inc body fat. They could easily give bone density only or even just state if its a safe/unsafe range.

Transform

You didn't drop 10% because you did not use the same method the second time round.

Use the same method (pick any one you fancy) consistently for best results and with the exact same person doing the test.

Take a Picture is hands down for me the best method