Skinfold testing also known as calliper testing is a commonly used method to determine a clients body fat percentage. The methods described below are calculations based on skinfold measurements.
How And Why To Measure Your Body Fat Percentage
Skinfold measurement body fat percentage. How does the body fat percentage 7 site skinfold calculator work. Ideally when you lose weight youll lose as much fat as possible and as little lean mass as possible. Body fat is only one part of the composition of the human body. The body fat percentage 7 site skinfold calculator requires the following input. The test can be used on all populations including children although reliable readings may be difficult to obtain on obese people. This body fat 4 site skinfold measurement calculator determines the body fat percentage based on the triceps thigh suprailiac and abdomen skinfolds.
The body fat percentage formulas. Skinfold measurement equations can help produce a relatively accurate estimate of body fat as long as the measurements are taken correctly. See the information about body fat and also using girth measures to calculate bodyfat. This health tool uses the jackson and pollock skinfold formulas to transform skinfold measurements taken with calipers from seven places of the body into body fat percentage respectively body fat mass and lean mass. To get an overall number to use as your body fat percentage you will need to plug your numbers into a formula. Enter your skinfold measurements into our body fat calculator to get your results.
For results to be valid and reliable the skinfold measurements must be taken properly and they should be taken by the same technician from one measurement to the next. There is in depth information below the form on the formulas used and on how to measure skinfolds with calipers. Skinfold measurement is based on the belief that approximately 50 of total body fat lies under the skin and involves measuring the thickness of the skinfolds at standardized sites. A skinfold test is used for monitoring changes in body composition over time and to estimate body fat. Two equations are required for this process one to estimate body density and one to estimate percent body fat from the body density. Why does body fat percentage matter.
When people talk about wanting to lose weight usually what theyre really talking about is losing fat. It will not only give you your body fat percentage but your lean body mass as well. There are many ways of estimating the bodys fat percentage. This technique of measurement is based on the densitometry technique underwater weighing and the prediction equations are population specific. Calculating bodyfat skinfold method. With your skinfold measurements in hand check out the guides online body fat percentage calculator.