I need help measuring body fat %. I have a caliper but get a different reading everytime I use it. Anyone have any advice on the true way to use a body fat caliper? thanks

You are not going to get a TRUE reading with a caliper. The key is going to be consistency. When you first start you readings may vary but you'll improve at measuring as time goes on. Try to use the 7 or 9 pinch sites. It will be hard but you can get someone to help you, but you'll have to try and use the same person because you don't want the readings to fluxuate. Test your BF at the same time, weekly, monthly however you decide but try and make it the same time.

You could also add the MM of your pinch sites and make a goal to decrease them as time goes on. Won't give you a true LBM reading but you'll know you progressing if those number are shifting down.

You may also want to google bodytracker. J Theo told me about the site the other day. The site shows where to make all the proper ******s and helps one understand how to take a better reading

thanks

Ramos is right on with consistency being the key...see the below for proper technique and formula for BF %.

The proper technique for using the skinfold calipers:

Grasp the caliper in your right hand. With your left hand, pull out the fold of skin with its underlying layer of fat. Don’t worry about getting any muscle: it’s firm enough that it won’t come out with the skin and fat. Grasp the skin and underlying layer of fat between the thumb and fingers of your left hand. Pull the skin in horizontal or vertical direction and continue to hold the skinfold as you apply the caliper.

Holding the calipers in your right hand, place the jaws of the caliper onto the skinfold. The jaws should be ¼ inch from the fingers of your left hand, which continues to hold the fold of skin. Completely release the trigger of the caliper so the entire force of the jaws is on the skinfold. Do not release the fingers of the left hand while taking the readings.
The jaws will “creep” a little to a lower reading as they’re first applied. As this occurs, fluid is being squeezed out of the skinfold. If the jaws creep quiet a bit, this indicates the person has a good deal of subcutaneous water. After a few seconds, the creeping will stop. This is when the measurement on the scale of the calipers should be taken.

It you are left-handed, take the skinfold with your right hand and the caliper in your left hand. Follow the same procedure as described above.

I think the 9 fold site is the most accurate: pectoral, subscapular, biceps, triceps, kidney, suprailiac, abdominals, quadriceps, and medial calf.

Formula to determine body composition:
1. Add all 9 sites and divide by the person’s bodyweight.
2. Multiply by the “fudge factor” .27 to get the percentage of body fat.

Hope this helps.

-jeff