3-Site Skinfold Test Procedure
I've visited various websites about the 3-site skinfold test, but none seem to deal with my issue. I'm not exactly light (non-athletic 220 lb at 6'), and I'm trying to use fat percentage for my progress. However The sites I've read don't seem to clarify how much one's supposed to pinch. By starting my pinch an inch wider or narrower I can drastically alter the mm measurement the caliper records (+/-25% on the mm measurement), and I can't find any clear instructions as to how wide the pinch should be, leaving my numbers inaccurate.
I very well might be doing something entirely wrong, which I'm willing to correct, but I don't know what that is to fix it. I'm more than willing to give more detail if I can be directed towards what to provide.
The site that I found the most helpful (if a tad... goofy) is the following: www.free-online-calculator-use.com/body-composition-calculator.html
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The Accumeasure gives good instructions on their site with an instruction manual and how to measure videos. They state to begin:
with your fingers about 2-3 inches apart
but it goes on to say that,
If the site contains a large amount of fat, you will need to increase the distance between your thumb and index finger in order to grasp and pull the fold
Depending on how large you are, skin calipers may not be the best way to begin tracking your body fat percentage because skin calipers are more accurate the thinner the skinfold. In which case using circumference measurements may be more accurate. Accumeasure's video labeled "All Sites" includes circumference measurements which you may find useful. Waist measurements and ratios are a good way to track early progress.
You may also be interested in other ways to measure your body fat percentage.
Have you read the guide on the BrianMac site, or had a look at YouTube, or any ot the numerous guides downloadable from the web?
The Ideal Way to Measure Body Fat
NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) - Anthropometry Procedures Manual
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR % BODYFAT AN INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR MEASURING % BODY FAT USING SKINFOLD CALIPERS by Wallace C. Donoghue
Lange Skinfold Caliper
Syndex System 1 Skinfold Caliper
How to use the Expert Skinfold Caliper
Personally I use the Android BioMetrIcs app, to record / plot / compare my details.
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