Author Topic: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself  (Read 16877 times)

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D4

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Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
« on: April 04, 2012, 06:18:28 pm »
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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?
Goal is to dunk.

Vertical needed to dunk: 40"

Current vertical : 38.5"

LanceSTS

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Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2012, 09:29:56 pm »
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 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.
Relax.

Harvey

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Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2012, 01:19:27 am »
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Quote
Is it hard to do the test on yourself? 

No, it's easy.
RVJ: 32", only 18" to go!
RVJ: 35", only 15" to go!

LanceSTS

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Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2012, 02:43:54 am »
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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.

Relax.

Raptor

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Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2012, 02:48:57 am »
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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.

LanceSTS

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Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2012, 02:55:38 am »
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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.
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Raptor

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Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
« Reply #6 on: April 05, 2012, 02:58:03 am »
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What about if you measure yourself at the same exact time each day you do it (say immediately after you wake up)?

LanceSTS

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Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
« Reply #7 on: April 05, 2012, 03:05:15 am »
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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.
« Last Edit: April 05, 2012, 03:08:05 am by LanceSTS »
Relax.

Raptor

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Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
« Reply #8 on: April 05, 2012, 03:09:13 am »
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Wait, you have two "b" keys, one of "b" and one of capital "B"? :ninja:

LanceSTS

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Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
« Reply #9 on: April 05, 2012, 03:18:10 am »
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 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.
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Raptor

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Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
« Reply #10 on: April 05, 2012, 03:26:47 am »
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Here, copy this: b

 ;D :P

LanceSTS

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Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
« Reply #11 on: April 05, 2012, 03:30:10 am »
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Relax.

D4

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Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
« Reply #12 on: April 05, 2012, 05:22:54 am »
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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...
Goal is to dunk.

Vertical needed to dunk: 40"

Current vertical : 38.5"

Raptor

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Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
« Reply #13 on: April 05, 2012, 07:34:59 am »
+1
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

D4

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Re: Body Fat Caliper Testing on Yourself
« Reply #14 on: April 05, 2012, 07:50:46 am »
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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
Goal is to dunk.

Vertical needed to dunk: 40"

Current vertical : 38.5"