Adarq.org

Performance Area => Nutrition & Supplementation => Topic started by: D4 on April 04, 2012, 06:18:28 pm

Title: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: D4 on April 04, 2012, 06:18:28 pm
Didn't really know where to post this topic...

Anyways, my school gym doesn't give body fat caliper tests, and as I have been cutting, I need to know when I am at 8% to get off my cut.  I was thinking of just buying some calipers and measuring myself.

Is it hard to do the test on yourself? 
Is it something simple enough that after reading some directions online, one will be able to get a fairly accurate measurement?
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: LanceSTS on April 04, 2012, 09:29:56 pm
 You wont get an accurate percentage without training with them, however, you can test a few sites, record the mm's, and see if youre improving or not.  A good set of calipers is expensive, knock off plastic ones will work for what I posted though.
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: Harvey on April 05, 2012, 01:19:27 am
Quote
Is it hard to do the test on yourself? 

No, it's easy.
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: LanceSTS on April 05, 2012, 02:43:54 am
Quote
Is it hard to do the test on yourself? 

No, it's easy.


  You know this from your extensive experience right?  Youve tested so many athletes and had your results checked against other professionals in the field and the standards. 

  Its a good idea for you to stop talking so much and read more, train for a few years.  Even complete a program or two.  Then come around and hash out all this knowledge you have.

Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: Raptor on April 05, 2012, 02:48:57 am
What about those weighing machines that use bioelectrical impedance? I know they aren't the most accurate things in the world (in fact Lance was telling scooby to check out about that on google) but if you use the SAME machine again and again... I guess it's a good way to compare your progress.
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: LanceSTS on April 05, 2012, 02:55:38 am
What about those weighing machines that use bioelectrical impedance? I know they aren't the most accurate things in the world (in fact Lance was telling scooby to check out about that on google) but if you use the SAME machine again and again... I guess it's a good way to compare your progress.


 No, its not though.  Thats the thing, they are VERY affected By water, drink a lot of water and check the reading, then do it a few hours after training, then do it again the next day.  In validity and reliaBility, I Believe they are plus or minus 15 percent accuracy. Meaning you could get a reading of 5 percent Bf, and in reality Be 20 percent. 


I dont have a "B" key atm so im copy pasting that capital, and its a pain in the ass lol.
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: Raptor on April 05, 2012, 02:58:03 am
What about if you measure yourself at the same exact time each day you do it (say immediately after you wake up)?
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: LanceSTS on April 05, 2012, 03:05:15 am
What about if you measure yourself at the same exact time each day you do it (say immediately after you wake up)?


 I dont know, that would definitely get you "closer" to a valid reading.  You still couldn't say "Im 9 percent BF" due to your results though.  It wont ever Be that precise.  The plus or minus percent may change depending on the device, when I was in school, measurement and statistics, it was + or- 15 percent accuracy for Bioimpedence. Skin calipers with a VALID tester were +- 5 percent, and hydrostatic weighing was +- 3 percent.

The proBlem with hydrostatic weighing is it requires not only a competent tester, But also a competent client.
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: Raptor on April 05, 2012, 03:09:13 am
Wait, you have two "b" keys, one of "b" and one of capital "B"? :ninja:
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: LanceSTS on April 05, 2012, 03:18:10 am
 Nah, I copied a "B" that was capital, and I paste that one.  The key doesnt work at all, along with the last letter of the alphaBet lol.
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: Raptor on April 05, 2012, 03:26:47 am
Here, copy this: b

 ;D :P
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: LanceSTS on April 05, 2012, 03:30:10 am
Here, copy this: b

 ;D :P

lol
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: D4 on April 05, 2012, 05:22:54 am
I agree, a year ago I tested 5%BF on the machines and then a week later I had body caliper testing telling me I was 14% lol...
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: Raptor on April 05, 2012, 07:34:59 am
I agree, a year ago I tested 5%BF on the machines and then a week later I had body caliper testing telling me I was 14% lol...

Man, your nutrition must've sucked that week :P ;D
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: D4 on April 05, 2012, 07:50:46 am
I agree, a year ago I tested 5%BF on the machines and then a week later I had body caliper testing telling me I was 14% lol...

Man, your nutrition must've sucked that week :P ;D

LOL
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: Harvey on April 05, 2012, 08:08:19 am
Quote
Is it hard to do the test on yourself? 

No, it's easy.


  You know this from your extensive experience right?  Youve tested so many athletes and had your results checked against other professionals in the field and the standards. 

  Its a good idea for you to stop talking so much and read more, train for a few years.  Even complete a program or two.  Then come around and hash out all this knowledge you have.



He asked if it's easy to test on yourself. I've tested it on myself before and in fact I do it regularly. So yes, from extensive experience. No I don't need to check whether professionals find testing themselves easy.
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: D4 on April 05, 2012, 08:21:33 am
Quote
Is it hard to do the test on yourself?  

No, it's easy.


  You know this from your extensive experience right?  Youve tested so many athletes and had your results checked against other professionals in the field and the standards.  

  Its a good idea for you to stop talking so much and read more, train for a few years.  Even complete a program or two.  Then come around and hash out all this knowledge you have.



He asked if it's easy to test on yourself. I've tested it on myself before and in fact I do it regularly. So yes, from extensive experience. No I don't need to check whether professionals find testing themselves easy.

Just because you tested it on yourself easily, doesn't mean you're getting accurate results.....

Lance asked if you compared your results with other professionals to see if you're getting accurate results, not if professionals find it easy...

Basic English man...

Seriously, this is like the 21978th time you failed to comprehend another persons argument...  To top it all off, you're someone with very little knowledge in training/diet/etc... and lately you're going HAM on this forum as if you're Adarq's replacement..  Just stop please.  For everyone and especially new people on this forum's sakes, who might not know any better than to listen to you.
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: Harvey on April 05, 2012, 08:36:04 am
Quote
Is it hard to do the test on yourself?  

No, it's easy.


  You know this from your extensive experience right?  Youve tested so many athletes and had your results checked against other professionals in the field and the standards.  

  Its a good idea for you to stop talking so much and read more, train for a few years.  Even complete a program or two.  Then come around and hash out all this knowledge you have.



He asked if it's easy to test on yourself. I've tested it on myself before and in fact I do it regularly. So yes, from extensive experience. No I don't need to check whether professionals find testing themselves easy.

Just because you tested it on yourself easily, doesn't mean you're getting accurate results.....

Lance asked if you compared your results with other professionals to see if you're getting accurate results, not if professionals find it easy...

Basic English man...

Seriously, this is like the 21978th time you failed to comprehend another persons argument...  To top it all off, you're someone with very little knowledge in training/diet/etc... and lately you're going HAM on this forum as if you're Adarq's replacement..  Just stop please.  For everyone and especially new people on this forum's sakes, who might not know any better than to listen to you.

Your question was, is it hard to do on yourself. My answer was simple.
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: D4 on April 05, 2012, 08:39:15 am
Quote
Is it hard to do the test on yourself?  

No, it's easy.


  You know this from your extensive experience right?  Youve tested so many athletes and had your results checked against other professionals in the field and the standards.  

  Its a good idea for you to stop talking so much and read more, train for a few years.  Even complete a program or two.  Then come around and hash out all this knowledge you have.



He asked if it's easy to test on yourself. I've tested it on myself before and in fact I do it regularly. So yes, from extensive experience. No I don't need to check whether professionals find testing themselves easy.

Just because you tested it on yourself easily, doesn't mean you're getting accurate results.....

Lance asked if you compared your results with other professionals to see if you're getting accurate results, not if professionals find it easy...

Basic English man...

Seriously, this is like the 21978th time you failed to comprehend another persons argument...  To top it all off, you're someone with very little knowledge in training/diet/etc... and lately you're going HAM on this forum as if you're Adarq's replacement..  Just stop please.  For everyone and especially new people on this forum's sakes, who might not know any better than to listen to you.

Your question was, is it hard to do on yourself. My answer was simple.

Jusstop.
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: Harvey on April 05, 2012, 08:43:06 am
Quote
Is it hard to do the test on yourself?  

No, it's easy.


  You know this from your extensive experience right?  Youve tested so many athletes and had your results checked against other professionals in the field and the standards.  

  Its a good idea for you to stop talking so much and read more, train for a few years.  Even complete a program or two.  Then come around and hash out all this knowledge you have.



He asked if it's easy to test on yourself. I've tested it on myself before and in fact I do it regularly. So yes, from extensive experience. No I don't need to check whether professionals find testing themselves easy.

Just because you tested it on yourself easily, doesn't mean you're getting accurate results.....

Lance asked if you compared your results with other professionals to see if you're getting accurate results, not if professionals find it easy...

Basic English man...

Seriously, this is like the 21978th time you failed to comprehend another persons argument...  To top it all off, you're someone with very little knowledge in training/diet/etc... and lately you're going HAM on this forum as if you're Adarq's replacement..  Just stop please.  For everyone and especially new people on this forum's sakes, who might not know any better than to listen to you.

Your question was, is it hard to do on yourself. My answer was simple.

Jusstop.

I think you're being overly critical of everything. Just let it go.
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: LBSS on April 05, 2012, 02:18:31 pm

Your question was, is it hard to do on yourself. My answer was simple.

simple and WRONG!!!!


LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL OLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL OLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

 :highfive: :highfive: :highfive: :highfive: :highfive: :highfive: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :ibsquatting: :ibsquatting: :ibsquatting: :ibsquatting: :personal-record: :personal-record: :personal-record: :personal-record: 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) :highfive: :highfive: :highfive: :highfive: :highfive:
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: J-DUB on April 05, 2012, 06:04:29 pm
Quote
Is it hard to do the test on yourself?  

No, it's easy.


its easy, if you are this guy?

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/164109_166396253403775_166395890070478_310642_1675514_n.jpg)

(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/282706_216897528353647_166395890070478_580689_6217077_n.jpg)


lololol this thingy ^^^ is arguing with people,................................................  ABOUT STRENGTH TRAINING

LMFDASFOAOFOAFOASFOAOFADOSFOAFOAFOAOFDOASFOAFOASOASDOFAOFAOFOAFO!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: Raptor on April 05, 2012, 06:12:11 pm
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CYILWTN4A6A/T01yu8zsjqI/AAAAAAAABN8/jYsC-Oppt4Y/s1600/abandon-ship--large-msg-125295759314.jpg)
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: T0ddday on April 05, 2012, 06:47:39 pm
What about if you measure yourself at the same exact time each day you do it (say immediately after you wake up)?

Still a poor idea to use the scale because your sodium levels fluctuate from day to day.  If you ate the exact same food and did the exact same thing every day and used bioelectric impedance.... it would work in theory.... but still not in practice.

The reason being that most of the scales don't just use bioelectric impedance.  Most ask you for your height and weight and use a formula from your height, weight, and a bioelectric impedance measure to infer your bodyfat.  You can test it by measuring your bodyfat, grabbing a 20 pound plate and remeasuring your bodyfat.  It's won't go down like it should!

Honestly, if you are already pretty lean then it's pretty hard to measure your bf accurately.  Your waist measurement and a mirror are a pretty good gauge of how lean you are for most people. 
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: Kingfish on April 06, 2012, 01:27:07 am
Honestly, if you are already pretty lean then it's pretty hard to measure your bf accurately.  Your waist measurement and a mirror are a pretty good gauge of how lean you are for most people. 

yes. i use the lowerabs vascularity as an indicator thats it time for some good mass of steaks because i'm thinning out. that and the chin bone really feeling sharp.. or your eye sockets that seem to shrink inside. lol
Title: Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
Post by: entropy on September 14, 2012, 12:23:23 pm
You wont get an accurate percentage without training with them, however, you can test a few sites, record the mm's, and see if youre improving or not.  A good set of calipers is expensive, knock off plastic ones will work for what I posted though.

The slim guide ones aren't too expensive and they're decent. I can see them for $33 here and we usually get taxed like crazy. Also if you can't see your abs then forget skinfolds and just keep cutting until you can, everything else is just noise.

edit. Looking online I see them in the US for about $12-15 on amazon. So they're fairly inexpensive. Lance if you ever get your hands on one would be nice to have a review!