Comments on: Accu-Measure Fitness 3000 Personal Body Fat Tester

By: Odell

Odell — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:36:01 +0000

This caliper works well and the “click” feature takes the guesswork out of the correct pressure to use. The chart that’s included with the documentation is possibly too simplified, but there are sufficient online resources for using the calipers to determine body fat. I consider it a good value for the home user.

By: Kylar

Kylar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:04:54 +0000

This little plastic product is so quick and easy to measure your body fat percentage that you almost feel like it can't be that accurate.

But just for kicks I had my body fat measured with one of those fancy electronic machines several times before using the Accu-Measure calipers.

The average of three readings for the electronic device was 26% body fat while the Accu-Measure showed 25.5%. Not bad considering this product is a whole heck of a lot CHEAPER than the electronic body fat machines.

I'm trying to get my body fat down to single digits and these Accu-Measure calipers will help me track my progress. VERY affordable and they REALLY work!

By: Sabeen

Sabeen — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:27:41 +0000

The caliper is *great* and the myotape can be useful, too. Both are easy to use.

Some reviews have said the caliper is too simple to be effective, but they are mistaken. Their problem is not with the caliper, but the way they are using it (see more below). This product is recommended by the pros, and there is no reason to pay any more.

Caliper: It's a little tough to get a consistent reading, but with practice it gets easier. The product has a great "click" feature so you can never push too hard. Do not use the instructions or the chart that comes with the product, however, as it will decrease the accuracy and consistency of your body fat measurements. A much more reliable method is to use the internet (see below).

Myotape: Very easy to use and good compliment to caliper.

How to maximize this product using the internet:
1) EXRX dot net has a page which lists the skinfold sites to measure under /Testing/BodyCompSites.html and a calculator page under /Calculators/BodyComp.html that will give you the appropriate fat %. I use the 3 site method since the 7 site method requires the help of another person, and it's not necessarily that much superior, anyway.
2) gain-weight-muscle-fast dot com /body-tape-measurements.html lists further regions to measure
3) Each time you measure (weekly, monthly, etc), do it the same time of day in the same exact spot. This will help minimize error.

Note, the instructions which come with the caliper do work, it's just that it isn't the best method, which is why some fitness freaks were complaining. Consistency across measurements is the most important thing when measuring body fat, and the suprailiac is terribly tough spot to hit consistently. Veer just a little off and the reading will change. But if you use the other method I listed, these problems will be alleviated. Also, the 3 site method is more accurate, with minimal additional effort.