Digital Calipers For Weight Loss

Using bodyfat calipers to track your fat loss progress can help you set and achieve goals. Healthy fat loss is more than just losing weight; pounds lost on the scale can often be misleading water weight or even the loss of lean body mass. Knowing your bodyfat percentage within a reasonable margin for error can keep your progress measurements on track and accurate.

Skinfold Measurements

Skinfold measurements involve using a specifically designed caliper that maintains constant tension on a double-thick fold of skin and subcutaneous fat tested on multiple sites across your body. As much as 50 percent of your bodyfat is carried directly under your skin, making this kind of testing feasible. The more sites you test, the more accurate your measurements will be. A seven-site skinfold test will yield an error of + or - 3 percent.

Skinfold Calipers Compared to Other Methods

Many other methods for testing your body composition are available. Bioelectrical impedance testing, in which mild electrical current is passed through the body and the resistance of various body tissues is analyzed, is the only method that relies on actual measurement. Hydrodensitometry weighing and air displacement both compare how much you weigh with how much volume of either water or air your body displaces. Other methods, such as dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, MRIs, and Near Infrared Interactance, all use body-scanning technology to image the different densities of your body tissues.

Skinfold tests and bioelectrical impedance are the most readily available to the average person. Bioelectrical impedance scales and skinfold calipers are relatively inexpensive and readily available.

Skinfold Calipers Vs. Electronic Scales

Scales with bioelectric impedance analysis features are widely available. A 2004 study conducted by R.N. Girandola and S. Contarsy at the University of Southern California demonstrated that bioelectric impedance analysis has been shown to be as accurate and reliable in a clinical setting. However, no studies have been performed to demonstrate that commercially available electronic scales are equally accurate. Skinfold calipers, with their 3 percent margin of error, are the most accurate method for measuring bodyfat, as long as the operator has sufficient experience.

Digital Calipers

Digital calipers, such as the line of calipers available from Accufitness, can simplify some of the procedure involved in analyzing your body fat percentage. The actual measuring process is unchanged; someone familiar with the procedure is required to correctly place the calipers on the skinfold and take the measurements. The advantage of the digital calipers lies in their ability to perform the Jackson and Pollock equations automatically. Many digital caliper models can store the results of multiple readings over time.

Long Term Planning and Tracking with Digital Calipers

Digital calipers are often capable of storing data. Such features can include the results of multiple tests and the records of different users. This data storage can be an effective tool in managing the goals of your fat loss program. The ability to see, over time, how you respond to various dietary and exercise strategies can help you continue to make progress.