Which Bodyfat Equation?

[cannibal]

Which bodyfat formula do most of you guys use? 3, 5, 7 site or more?
Wasted money on some Tanita scales that tell me I am getting fatter as I get leaner, so going back to the calipers.
In the past I have just used the sum of seven points as a reference, as the total changed I knew if I was gaining or losing.
Would not mind finding a good formula so can get a rough %.
Thanks

 

[homonunculus]

Use the 7 site...

The 7-site Jackson and Pollock equation is your best bet if you'd like an accurate estimate.

Of course, the number really makes no difference. If you're using BF% to guage fat gain / loss for having a semi-objective means of determining when you're getting too fat, just pick a few sites that you can do by yourself (pick some in places where you carry fat - thigh, suprailiac and abdominal are easiest) with ease and reliability. If the skinfold measures go down, you're losing fat. If you're paying for someone to do the 7-site, you could have it done, get a BF% value and do the sites on yourself to get an "estimate of the estimate." Do this again when you're leaner and you can interpolate a BF% for a VERY rough value:

E.g. YOUR sum of skinfolds = 30mm, when the 7-site tells you you're 15%

YOUR sum of skinfolds = 20mm, when the 7-site says you're 10%.

If, some time later, YOUR sum = 25mm, you can guess you're around 12 or 13%BF, at least according to the caliper estimates...

-Randy

 

[cannibal]

Came across this awesome site with calculators for measuring your bodyfat. Standard formulas, just input your measurments and it does the rest. No more thinking.
Eight diff formulas, from 2-9 sites. You can find one your think most accurate (or lowest reading ) and go from there.
Too easy!

**broken link removed**

 

[homonunculus]

Nice site!!!

Cool site! If you use the Jackson and Pollock 3-site eq, you're just about as accurate as the 7 site.

FYI, the diagram for the 3-site shows a pec skinfold below the pec major itself. THe description is correct, though.

-Randy

 

[cannibal]

Now if I can get half as shredded as you Randy by October, I'll be happy!

 

[homonunculus]

There ya go, man!

But don't let me limit you - get MORE SHREDDED!!!

BTW, I don't ever use calipers - just the mirror. I always get asked what my BF% is (esp. now that I'm prepping for a show). I just shrug my shoulders and tell them it really doesn't matter...

8^)

-Randy