How accurate are body fat calipers?

SuprSi

I picked one of these up last week as I have been dieting and exercising extensively over the last few months and have lost about 5kg (from 92 - 87, 6' 4" male). Visibly I'm pretty happy in that I've gotten rid of most of the fat that was hanging around without losing much muscle, and I've managed to get a hint of a six pack.

I tried the calipers out over the weekend and was surprised when it said that my bf was around 6 - 7%. The instructions are pretty straightforward so I can't imagine I've used it incorrectly, but I certainly didn't expect that low a reading because, tbh, I wouldn't consider myself ripped enough to have that low bf.

I used the provided instructions but also followed this guide;

http://www.muscleandstrength.com/tools/how-to-measure-bodyfat-using-calipers.html

And got similar results, so I'm a little confused. Surely someone with bf of 6 - 7% would have a very defined six pack?

Squiggle

As I understand it the accuracy depends on the skill of the measurer using the calipers! Pictures with various body fat percentages.

Will Heffernan

Squiggle wrote: »

As I understand it the accuracy depends on the skill of the measurer using the calipers! Pictures with various body fat percentages.

Agreed....after you've done your first 100 or so and have had each one of them checked and corroborated your accuracy and reliability will go from being diabolical to just terrible. After maybe 250-300 you are probably just bad at it. When you've done about 500 you are OK and then you get decent after that.

Will Heffernan

SuprSi wrote: »

I picked one of these up last week as I have been dieting and exercising extensively over the last few months and have lost about 5kg (from 92 - 87, 6' 4" male). Visibly I'm pretty happy in that I've gotten rid of most of the fat that was hanging around without losing much muscle, and I've managed to get a hint of a six pack.

I tried the calipers out over the weekend and was surprised when it said that my bf was around 6 - 7%. The instructions are pretty straightforward so I can't imagine I've used it incorrectly, but I certainly didn't expect that low a reading because, tbh, I wouldn't consider myself ripped enough to have that low bf.

I used the provided instructions but also followed this guide;

http://www.muscleandstrength.com/tools/how-to-measure-bodyfat-using-calipers.html

And got similar results, so I'm a little confused. Surely someone with bf of 6 - 7% would have a very defined six pack?

1. I can confirm for you without doubt that you didn't use them correctly.
2. That unless you are working with someone that has actually been trained properly to use them that you will continue to never be able to use them correctly.

Personally when I learned to use body fat callipers I was doing tests that 1. had corroborated by a trained tester and 2. had to be corroborated by hydrostatic weighing. It took about a year before my readings were actually considered reliable enough to be considered 'data'.

I would hazard a guess that there are very few people in Ireland that could actually give you an accurate and reliable body fat reading using callipers....and I can guarantee you that you are not doing anything except 'taking some sort of measurement' yourself. It certainly isn't a bodyfat reading and it is certainly n or accurate or reliable.

Orla K

I'm just wondering, how accurate are they if the person is very overweight/obese is there a point where they just become useless? If there is that point where is it?

Will Heffernan

Orla K wrote: »

I'm just wondering, how accurate are they if the person is very overweight/obese is there a point where they just become useless?

Yes.

If there is that point where is it?

120mm.

Dotcomdolly

If you want a definitive answer you could go here
http://www.ucd.ie/instituteforsportandhealth/serviceprovision/bodycompositiontesting/

But why worry about the actual number? - you either can see your abs (low body fat) or you can't (need to keep working).

SuprSi

Dotcomdolly wrote: »

If you want a definitive answer you could go here
http://www.ucd.ie/instituteforsportandhealth/serviceprovision/bodycompositiontesting/

But why worry about the actual number? - you either can see your abs (low body fat) or you can't (need to keep working).

It was just a curiosity thing! You're right though, I know myself that I still have some fat to get rid of as the 6 pack isn't glaringly obvious just yet, so will just continue working away