A body fat caliper is a tool that squeezes skin and measures its thickness at specific spots on the body. Body fat calipers measure skinfolds to estimate how much fat under the skin a person has. The examiner then puts the numbers into a formula to predict body density and body fat percentage.
A body fat caliper chart is a reference tool that converts skinfold thickness measurements into an estimated percentage of body fat.
How Body Fat Calipers Measure Body Fat
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Measuring body fat with calipers is actually pretty simple. Specific sites on the body are squeezed and measured, then equations or a body fat calipers calculator are used to get an estimate. A trained tester usually measures body fat at three to nine sites on the body.
The tester first squeezes the skin and the fat that lies under the skin and pulls it away from the muscle. Simply open the caliper up fairly wide, place it snug against the skin in the area to be squeezed, and then allow the caliper to close. As it closes it will catch the fat and recreate the squeeze and pull method.
A three-point test usually involves a spot about one inch beside the navel, a point on the thigh, and a point on the chest. Another method involves measuring at the bicep, tricep, love handles, and under the shoulder blade. Some tests use up to twelve sites
Experience counts when using skinfold calipers because the accuracy of the test depends on precision of measurement. Competent examiners have done fifty to one hundred tests in controlled research settings. The caliper method needs more skill than the bioelectric impedance method.
Once body fat gets into the sixteen to seventeen percent range, it becomes very hard to take accurate measurements with the caliper. Calipers are not super accurate, even when used by professionals. They are better than bioimpedance scales and ultrasounds but slightly worse than DEXA scans or hydrostatic testing.
The best approach is to choose one method and be consistent with it.
Calipers do not measure BMI. BMI is weight divided by height squared. Calipers measure body fat percentage, which is an actual underlying thing about the body and not a produced number like BMI.
Body fat percentage will never become out of date.
Some calipers are made of thermoplastic polymer material. There are plastic ones and fancier professional ones, and none seem that much better than the others. Cheap calipers can be found online for around five dollars.
The GoFit Body Fat Caliper measures the thickness of a skinfold with its underlying fat layer, and then body fat percentage is simply read on the included male or female body fat chart. Some calipers feature ergonomic designs with larger sizes for more accurate and repeatable measurements over time. Calipers are more budget-friendly compared to body fat scales, though scales offer more detailed metrics.
Excess skin from weight loss may prevent an accurate caliper reading since loose, sagging skin can throw off the measuremet.
