Ways of measuring body fat

[Ken]

What are some of the various ways I could go about measuring my body fat ? All I know of are fat calpiers, but I was wondering what else is out there.

Thanks

[Delphi]

immersion = most accurate
Tanita electronic scale = least accurate

*Welcome to WBB from an old Alvinite*

[Ken]

How much is this immersion stuff and where can I get it performed ?

[Delphi]

Some health clubs do it, some university PE departments. I've never had it done before, but I think it's about $10-20.

[Ken]

How do immersion test work and what are they based upon ?

[Shane]

They record your bodyweight in air. Then they dunk you in a tank of water (you expel as much air from your lunges as possible) while you are sitting on a scale. Because lean tissue has a different buoyancy than fat they can use this to help estimate your body composition.

We do it at my university and it costs $20. You just have to make an appointment and wear some funky speedos. Try it. Aside from having to wear speedos, it's great fun.

[NotSoBig]

I bought a skinfold caliper today, and I cannot see how this could possibly be accurate. I tried it a dozen or so times, and got different readings each time. The package says to measure 1 inch above your hip bone.

I may be doing something wrong but this just doesn't seem accurate at all. Accorind to this, I am in the range of 19% and if you look at my picture, i must be higher than that.

[Wolfman]

Where did you buy your caliper?

[NotSoBig]

From a local equipment dealer. It is an "Accu-Measure" and has some "Gold Standard Accuracy" seal on it. Also supposed to be backed by the WNBF.

I'm sure im messing up somehow. With this much flab on your gut, its hard to figure out which chunk to grab.

[Wolfman]

lol.