Accumeasure Calipers question

Tannor · 08-17-2005, 12:14 PM

I just got it in the mail from Amazon for like $14

Anyone have these? I got them from amazon for like $14

I dont think i am doing it right because it is saying I have bodyfat 15%

Seems way too low IMO, compared to pics I seen of other men who have low bodyfat and I have way more bodyfat then them I think.

My biggest problem how do I know I am pulling enough skin away? I Cant seem to grasp a good piece of fat?

Sounds weird I know.

But I really need to know what my bodyfat% is, I realize the scale is not as important as it once was, and want to make sure I am losing fat not muscle.

I should have got a reading of my bodyfat before I started my lifestyle change and lost 60lbs but I guess it too late for that.

At this point at 6 feet and 199 lbs, I am not concerned about the scale anymore, just the bodyfat.

Thanks in advance.

**EME** · 08-17-2005, 01:00 PM

Hey Tannor,

I have the accumeasure calipers also. They work well, but it's important that ou measure correctly. It's important that when you take your measurement, you get the fat, and not just the very top layers of skin for your measurement.

You may have to take a pretty big pinch, especially in the ab and thigh area, if you have significantly high bodyfat.

Measuring with calipers is an acquired skill. Almost nobody does it perfectly the first time. It might help you if you could get someone who knows how to do it correctly show you how to take your measurements, so you can see it done right, first hand.

Good luck with your training!

- EME

Tannor · 08-17-2005, 01:06 PM

Hi

I wish I knew someone, I wonder if a nutrionistist can do it? I asked my doctor he did not have a clue.

I work out at home, I do have a gym nearby but not sure if they will measure me unless I am a member.

I am trying to see if i can find any videos of people doing it, the pictures that it came with just not cutting it for me.

I took some of those online body calculators which I know is not accurate, there was one i found that asked me to measure with tape in like 10 different places and it came out with 21% if I recall.

**EME** · 08-17-2005, 01:22 PM

The tape measure methods really aren't very accurate, but they may give you a ballpark.

Honestly, bodyfat % isn't as important as you might think it is.

The best measure of your progress is really the mirror.

You can use body measurements, and bodyfat % to measure changes and your progress, but your ultimate goal should really be to look better.

If your body is changing for the better, then you are doing the right things.

I always tell people not to get too hung up on the scale and the bodyfat reading, as they can sometimes be misleading.

Water retention can affect caliper readings, and your body composition can change in ways that don't reflect accurately on the scale.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with using measurements as an indicator of your progress, and they can be quite useful tools, but ultimately it's the way your body looks that should be your main guide.

Good luck, and let me know if you need any additional help.

- EME

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tannor

Hi

I wish I knew someone, I wonder if a nutrionistist can do it? I asked my doctor he did not have a clue.

I work out at home, I do have a gym nearby but not sure if they will measure me unless I am a member.

I am trying to see if i can find any videos of people doing it, the pictures that it came with just not cutting it for me.

I took some of those online body calculators which I know is not accurate, there was one i found that asked me to measure with tape in like 10 different places and it came out with 21% if I recall.

Tannor · 08-17-2005, 01:26 PM

Thanks for the advice =)

I just used the link stickied for body fat and here what it came out with

Estimate #1 based on height and weight
Your "Ponderal Index" is 12.33 which gives an estimated body fat of 27.0% (53.8 pounds of fat)

Estimate #2 based on waist size and weight
Estimated body fat of 21.6% (43.0 pounds of fat)

I think the second estimate is more accurate..it feels right.

I know I lost a lot of fat I had to I went from 47 inch waist to 38 inch waist.

You are right the mirror is the most important.

I guess I am jut not sure if I should keep cutting (losing weight) or try to go into mass build mode now.

When I look at myself with my clothes on people think I am too skinny and say I look superb, but as soon as I take off my shirt I still dont like what I see.

So I am sort of not sure which route to go..lol

**EME** · 08-17-2005, 01:52 PM

My advice to someone who is really wanting to change their body composition for good is to get as lean as you can before starting to bulk.

You may go through a short period of time when you weigh less and feel skinnier than you want to be, but in the long run, you will end up with a better body.

The fat that doesn't come off when you are cutting, isn't going to come off when you are bulking.

So, even if you build some great muscle, you will still have that original fat, and probably a little more. You can minimize the amount of fat you put on when you are lean bulking, but you are still going to put on some.

The fat that you originally had difficulty losing, is probably still going to be the last fat to come off later. So, you run the risk of losing a lot of your new muscle to get that original fat off.

If your goal really is to eventually be lean and muscular. Get the fat off first and then focus on building lean muscle with as little extra fat as possible.

Then when you cut in the future, you will only have to drop the small amount of additional fat you put on during your bulk. You won't have to also be worrying about the original fat you had to begin with.

- EME

Tannor · 08-17-2005, 02:23 PM

BTW I just looked at your pictures and your site and you look awesome!!!

I am going to listen to your advice since you are an expert IMO and going to keep at losing the bodyfat. I came this far, I can do it I know I can.

I want this to be a permanent change..it has to be. My health made a huge turnaround by just losing the 60lbs and 9 inches off the waist.

i went from being on two different blood pressure drugs...as well as taking nexium for gerd..down to normal blood pressure..and no longer have to take anymore drugs. I am only 31 years old, but i have a long family history of heart diesae / strokes / diabetes

My doctor told me after giving me my last stress echo in feb of this year said right now I can reverse a lot of damage if i eat healthy and exercise otherwise I am headed for a bad slippery slope..

With my recent checkup he was suprised not only my bp normal...but my cholesterol lowest it been in years.

So I know I never want to go back the way I was...and want to be around to see my daughter grow up as well as my grandchildren.

I been using a food journal to keep track of eerything I eat. That really has helped.

Thanks again for taking time to help out =)

**Trick D** · 08-17-2005, 02:28 PM

EME definitely knows what he is talking about. THe mirror is always the best judge trust me. Also pinchers are great, but they are never exact. Good luck in the gym.

08-17-2005, 01:52 PM	#6
EME Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,264 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 51	My advice to someone who is really wanting to change their body composition for good is to get as lean as you can before starting to bulk. You may go through a short period of time when you weigh less and feel skinnier than you want to be, but in the long run, you will end up with a better body. The fat that doesn't come off when you are cutting, isn't going to come off when you are bulking. So, even if you build some great muscle, you will still have that original fat, and probably a little more. You can minimize the amount of fat you put on when you are lean bulking, but you are still going to put on some. The fat that you originally had difficulty losing, is probably still going to be the last fat to come off later. So, you run the risk of losing a lot of your new muscle to get that original fat off. If your goal really is to eventually be lean and muscular. Get the fat off first and then focus on building lean muscle with as little extra fat as possible. Then when you cut in the future, you will only have to drop the small amount of additional fat you put on during your bulk. You won't have to also be worrying about the original fat you had to begin with. - EME __________________ PhysiqueFXonline - Online Nutrition and Training with Michael and Kendra Elias: www.PhysiqueFXonline.com www.MichaelandKendra.com My wife, and IFBB Fitness Pro Kendra Elias' personal site: www.KendraElias.com Proud member of Team ALR: www.ALRIndustries.com

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08-17-2005, 12:14 PM	#1
Tannor New Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York Posts: 13 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	Accumeasure Calipers question I just got it in the mail from Amazon for like $14 Anyone have these? I got them from amazon for like $14 I dont think i am doing it right because it is saying I have bodyfat 15% Seems way too low IMO, compared to pics I seen of other men who have low bodyfat and I have way more bodyfat then them I think. My biggest problem how do I know I am pulling enough skin away? I Cant seem to grasp a good piece of fat? Sounds weird I know. But I really need to know what my bodyfat% is, I realize the scale is not as important as it once was, and want to make sure I am losing fat not muscle. I should have got a reading of my bodyfat before I started my lifestyle change and lost 60lbs but I guess it too late for that. At this point at 6 feet and 199 lbs, I am not concerned about the scale anymore, just the bodyfat. Thanks in advance.

08-17-2005, 01:00 PM	#2
EME Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,264 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 51	Hey Tannor, I have the accumeasure calipers also. They work well, but it's important that ou measure correctly. It's important that when you take your measurement, you get the fat, and not just the very top layers of skin for your measurement. You may have to take a pretty big pinch, especially in the ab and thigh area, if you have significantly high bodyfat. Measuring with calipers is an acquired skill. Almost nobody does it perfectly the first time. It might help you if you could get someone who knows how to do it correctly show you how to take your measurements, so you can see it done right, first hand. Good luck with your training! - EME __________________ PhysiqueFXonline - Online Nutrition and Training with Michael and Kendra Elias: www.PhysiqueFXonline.com www.MichaelandKendra.com My wife, and IFBB Fitness Pro Kendra Elias' personal site: www.KendraElias.com Proud member of Team ALR: www.ALRIndustries.com

08-17-2005, 01:06 PM	#3
Tannor New Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York Posts: 13 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	Hi I wish I knew someone, I wonder if a nutrionistist can do it? I asked my doctor he did not have a clue. I work out at home, I do have a gym nearby but not sure if they will measure me unless I am a member. I am trying to see if i can find any videos of people doing it, the pictures that it came with just not cutting it for me. I took some of those online body calculators which I know is not accurate, there was one i found that asked me to measure with tape in like 10 different places and it came out with 21% if I recall.

08-17-2005, 01:26 PM	#5
Tannor New Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York Posts: 13 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the advice =) I just used the link stickied for body fat and here what it came out with Estimate #1 based on height and weight Your "Ponderal Index" is 12.33 which gives an estimated body fat of 27.0% (53.8 pounds of fat) Estimate #2 based on waist size and weight Estimated body fat of 21.6% (43.0 pounds of fat) I think the second estimate is more accurate..it feels right. I know I lost a lot of fat I had to I went from 47 inch waist to 38 inch waist. You are right the mirror is the most important. I guess I am jut not sure if I should keep cutting (losing weight) or try to go into mass build mode now. When I look at myself with my clothes on people think I am too skinny and say I look superb, but as soon as I take off my shirt I still dont like what I see. So I am sort of not sure which route to go..lol

08-17-2005, 02:23 PM	#7
Tannor New Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York Posts: 13 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	BTW I just looked at your pictures and your site and you look awesome!!! I am going to listen to your advice since you are an expert IMO and going to keep at losing the bodyfat. I came this far, I can do it I know I can. I want this to be a permanent change..it has to be. My health made a huge turnaround by just losing the 60lbs and 9 inches off the waist. i went from being on two different blood pressure drugs...as well as taking nexium for gerd..down to normal blood pressure..and no longer have to take anymore drugs. I am only 31 years old, but i have a long family history of heart diesae / strokes / diabetes My doctor told me after giving me my last stress echo in feb of this year said right now I can reverse a lot of damage if i eat healthy and exercise otherwise I am headed for a bad slippery slope.. With my recent checkup he was suprised not only my bp normal...but my cholesterol lowest it been in years. So I know I never want to go back the way I was...and want to be around to see my daughter grow up as well as my grandchildren. I been using a food journal to keep track of eerything I eat. That really has helped. Thanks again for taking time to help out =)