Best device/way to measure body fat?

I know their really called Body Fat Calipers but I'm much more partial to "Fat Grabometer".
 
I picked these up at GNC for about 10 bucks.  It's easy to get readings once you practice and get consistent.
 
http://www.accumeasurefitness.com/
 

how many different points do u have to measure?

Just one.  It comes with a chart and does all of the calculations for you.
 
I've used to do to 3 skin folds as well and a different calculation and it came out very similar.
 
The accuracy of the product isn't as important as the measurement change is over time.  Doesn't matter if it's 1-3% off so long as you use it consistently you'll get an idea on which direction you're moving.

ORIGINAL: DaemonCain

The accuracy of the product isn't as important as the measurement change is over time.  Doesn't matter if it's 1-3% off so long as you use it consistently you'll get an idea on which direction you're moving.

yea thats very true, so ur saying the one with just the one point gave u good precision(not accuracy but gave good consistent measures and wasnt always different and showed ur progress)?

Yes, it's very consistent and easy to use.  It clicks when you're done and it's very easy to use.
 
Started using it when I was at 22% BF and got myself down to 14.5% (current).
 
Also though, I find you have to do it at the same time of day.  I do it in the morning after my coffee and before eating.  It takes some good practice to get consistent with it (but that's mostly making sure you're measuring the right part). 

I had no idea this became top in the Workout Equipment category...

I will also say that I use the Accumeasure calipers as well and for a time (about 8 weeks) was measuring my own BF% weekly and being measured at my gym by a trainer and the results were extremely close (less than 0.1% difference between the two).  As mentioned, it is the measurement over time that matters more than the accuracy, but these seem to be pretty accurate with just one measurement.

12 week High Intensity Training program in progress.  Looking to make major gains in mass.  So far, so good.

BioAnalogics Impedance

I tried this one for a few weeks at a friends house: great piece of equipment.

Tell a little about how that is used and which BioAnalogics Impedance device you used...

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Ok basically what the device does is that it determines the amount of lean tissue versus fat tissue in your body, really easy to use to be honest. My friend is a personal trainer and he seems to find it incredibly useful.

Don't remember the name exactly but it was this one:


It is called ELG something... can't remember the exact name.

bioanalogics, elg2.
I have one now since the 90s, its good except has its margin of error, below 11% my athletes get overread and over 23% or so and you get underread.
I also use the acumeasure which with one reading can tell you an accurate measure if your not under 13%.
After that you start using the 3, 7, and 9 meausure readings for lower percentages.
Linda

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

danmirage


Veggeep...after I rolled off my chair laughing...I had to go measure my bady fat!
 
I want to offer up a less expensive but nice tool that runs just over $20 and provides the tension for you. 
Most places sell it for over $30, I am sharing the best price I have found to date for this caliper.
Skinfold Calipers <--- link to place on amazon where it is cheapest
 
On the topic of Body fat measurement...
The methods YOU can use to test your bodyfat yourself are unreliable on a one time basis. 
They are better used to track changes over time on an ongoing basis. 
Test every 1-3 weeks at the same time of day...and use the same scale to take your weight. 

Here is a calculator that allows you to use skinfold calipers (3 or 7 point test) or tape measure
http://www.linear-software.com/online.html


This web page has illustrations. 
All measurement on right side is normal. 
Measurements should be taken from the same place on the body, always at the same time of day... 

Just a note...3 fold can be done alone and I prefer multi site tests...the other tests require an aid to take the measure from the back. 
 
I compared many BF testing methods to see how they work with my body.
You can see there is a variance between methods. 
I can take any of the tests over and over and I get the same result.
I have been taking BF measuremnts for decades, so I am quite use to it.
 
Here are those test results ...
16.34% -Tape measure 3 location
14.5% - Tape measure 2 location
13.2% - Skin Fold 1 Location
19.4%  - Skin Fold 2 Location
9.4% - Skin Fold 3 Location
15.1%  - Skin Fold 4 Location
15.9% - Skin Fold 4 Location (actually an aggragate of multiple tests of: 4 folds-15.1%, 1 fold-13.2%, 2 folds-19.4%)
11.27% - Skin Fold 7 Location
16.6% - Bio-electrical Impedance
 
Wild isn't it.  But they are all based on various assumptions...so that is why it is better as a tool for tracking over time.  Pick a method, get good at it, and stick with it.

Ah, ok...ELG II.  That is a great machine for general health applications in a "normal or average" body fat % range as Linda noted. 

However, for those of us who desire to make frequent adjustments to achieve our goals effectively, we need something with a consistent feedback over a wide range.

I have tried many methods with many clients and quite simply, calipers (raw caliper measurements) provide the best raw data.   But remember, it is better as a tool for tracking over time.

Raw numbers are best in my opinion.  But using calculations is also nice for tracking change over time.

You can see how I used the numbers to modify my diet and training over a 1 year period to Gain 30 pounds of muscle and drop 5 pounds of fat while bulking... Just look at this table of progress:
http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/fb.ashx?m=170774

Hopefully you can see the chart I am attaching here as well, which shows the % bodyfat changes over that year.  My goal was to gain mass and my training was cyclic, which is represented in the cycles of changes in my %BF.  I was using the calipers to track lean mass changes.  Any time I started to gain unwanted fat, I made modifications to training and diet.

Attached Image(s)

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