Our aim is to provide our readers with helpful product recommendations. Clicking on links may earn us a commission. With advancements in research and technology, there are now numerous methods for losing weight and leading a healthier lifestyle.
From protein shakes and detox drinks to weight loss pills and body fat calipers, these tools are designed to aid individuals in their weight loss journey.
Fitness professionals recommend combining equipment and health supplements to achieve optimal results. By tracking progress consistently with fat scales or calipers, individuals can develop a mindset of consistent progress.
To assist in the search for the best body fat calipers to complement health supplements, we have compiled a list of our top choices for 2020 and provided a guide on selecting and using body fat calipers for maximum progress towards achieving a healthy and fit body.
Neiko 01408A
When it comes to body fat calipers, Neiko is one of the top brands in the market. Their caliper models are built to last and provide a hassle-free experience. The electronic caliper can easily provide measurements for depth, step, and inside diameter with precise accuracy to the closest millimeter.
In addition to accuracy, the LCD screen is large and easy to read, making it suitable for those who have difficulty reading small numbers. The purchase also comes with batteries and a case for added convenience.
Highlights
- LCD screen
- Made from stainless steel
- Comes with battery and storage
- Can measure inside and outside diameter, step, and depth
- The screen is easy to read
- Precise and accurate measurements
- Intuitive and easy to use
- Will not measure in percentage
EAGems Digital
EAGems is a well-established brand in the body fat caliper market, known for producing durable and reliable equipment. Their digital body fat caliper boasts a large LCD screen that makes readings easy to read and eliminates eye strain.
Additionally, the caliper features a position lock to maintain accuracy and precision. The water-resistant design is ideal for use during sweaty workouts.
With over a decade of experience, EAGems is a trusted name in the industry and their caliper is a reliable choice.
Highlights
- Stainless steel
- Hard plastic case
- Position Lock
- LCD Screen
- Water-resistant and durable
- Extra precision and accuracy
- The company offers excellent customer service
- Bulky and inconvenient to store
Tacklife DC01
The Tacklife DC01 body fat caliper is an affordable yet effective option for those looking to measure their body fat. It provides accurate readings and is designed with user-friendliness in mind, featuring a large LCD screen that is easy on the eyes.
In addition, it is energy-efficient and waterproof, making it a convenient tool for weight loss.
Tacklife’s commitment to improving quality of life is evident in this product.
Highlights
- Waterproof material
- Large LCD Screen
- Energy-efficient
- Stainless steel
- Offers good accuracy and precision
- Can measure in three different modes
- User-friendly design
- Affordable price point
- Some users reported battery issues
Creative Health Slim Guide
The Creative Health Slim Guide caliper is a useful tool that measures body fat in terms of percentage, which is not a feature of all calipers.
Made from durable ABS material and stainless steel, it is both affordable and reliable.
With almost 50 years of production and a trusted reputation among health professionals, the Slim Guide caliper is a smart choice for long-term use.
Highlights
- Made from ABS material
- Has parts made from stainless steel
- Been around for 50 years
- Durable and trustworthy
- Measures in percentage
- Affordable price point
- Been in production for almost 50 years
- Robust stainless steel body
- Comes with a book
- Has a plastic body
Sequoia Fitness TrimCal 4000
The TrimCal 4000 by Sequoia Fitness is a reliable and high-quality body fat caliper that provides accurate fat percentage information based on your age and gender. Made from durable ABS material, this caliper is perfect for daily skinfold measurements and is easy to store and bring with you on-the-go. With its precision and portability, the TrimCal 4000 is a great addition to any health and fitness routine.
Highlights
- Sleek and simple design
- Easy to bring around
- Made from ABS Material
- Gives a fat percentage
- Accurate and precise measurements
- Good for daily use
- Vague instructions
Clockwise Tools DCLR-0605
Clockwise Tools has recently launched the DCLR-0605, an innovative caliper that utilizes a depthometer’s groove for measuring. This new technology delivers more reliable results and provides better protection from sweat and moisture with its IP54 protection. With its long-lasting body and accurate readings, the DCLR-0605 is an excellent choice for those who prioritize precision and durability.
Highlights
- Uses depthometer’s groove
- Has IP54 protection
- Made with stainless steel
- Large LCD screen
- Very accurate and precise
- Calibrated
- Long-lasting and durable
- No connecting table
TENGYES Digital Caliper
TENGYES is a trusted brand known for producing highly accurate measurement tools, including their body fat caliper. They incorporate user-friendly features like thumb rollers and gliding mechanisms.
Additionally, the company offers excellent customer service and a 5-year guarantee for added peace of mind.
Highlights
- Has IP54 Protection
- Resistant to rust and water
- Made from refined stee
- Comes with thumb roller and glider
- Durable and long-lasting
- User-friendly
- Comes with good customer service
- Hard to change the length
- Cannot calibrate as fractions
FstDgte Digital
The FstDgte body fat caliper is a perfect option for those who want a portable, accurate, and precise tool.
Its compact design makes it easy to bring around, and it’s also affordable.
Despite its low price, the quality of this body fat caliper can rival even some of the more expensive models on the market.
Highlights
- Very affordable
- Has a hold function
- Compact and portable design
- Large LCD screen
- Eco-friendly design
- Accurate and precise measurements
- Compact and portable
- Material not that durable
Gyros DIGI-SCIENCE
Gyros offers a professional body fat caliper that is ideal for both trainers and personal use. Its accurate and precise measurements are made possible by its high-quality materials and calibration. Additionally, this caliper comes with a battery warranty and an ABS switch, making it one of the top choices on the market.
The iGaging body fat caliper is a perfect option for those who are always on the go.
It can measure fat percentages and skinfold, with the added convenience of a large LCD screen despite its portability.
The device is made of ABS material, ensuring durability and longevity. It’s also an affordable option for those looking to keep a budget.
Highlights
- Made from ABS material
- Large LCD screen
- Portable design
- More affordable
- Easy to read
- Comes with battery
- Not as long-lasting as steel material
Who Should Purchase These Body Fat Calipers?
The use of body fat calipers is beneficial for those seeking to achieve fitness and weight loss goals. These tools are most effective when used alongside health supplements such as protein shakes or diet tablets. Some of these calipers are even recommended by fitness professionals and can also be used by them.
How Do I Pick Right Body Fat Caliper?
Accuracy
Accuracy is crucial when it comes to body fat calipers. While every caliper claims to be the most precise, it’s important to be cautious of these claims. A caliper’s accuracy is best determined by the skinfold sites measured.
To ensure accurate measurements, make sure you know exactly where to get your measurements. Computing for body fat percentage is a complex process that considers various factors such as age, gender, and height.
Most calipers take care of these computations, but not all will deliver consistent measurements. To test a caliper’s precision, try taking the same skinfold measurement several times and compare the results.
Customer service
Body fat calipers can vary in customer service depending on the brand. The warranty can range from one to five years or even a lifetime warranty.
It’s important to look for a company with good reviews on their warranty and customer service.
With a reliable warranty, you can have your caliper repaired or replaced if it ever sustains damage.
This is especially beneficial since body fat calipers can be costly, and it’s reassuring to know that the brand will take care of you even after your purchase.
Features
Body fat calipers come in two categories: manual and digital. Manual calipers use two jaws and a basic measurement scale to take measurements. The user pinches the appropriate skinfold area and reads the caliper’s measurement. Manual calipers are reliable and more affordable than digital calipers, but they require practice and are prone to user error.
Digital calipers are becoming more prevalent and offer several advantages over manual calipers. They provide more accurate readings and are easier to use when measuring skinfold. They can also be paired with tape measures for more relevant measurements, such as arms and waist.
Digital calipers consist of two jaws, an external and internal one, that measure the distance between them. The main arm steadies the tool, while the sliding arm is made of stainless steel and used to manipulate the jaws. A locking screw is used to hold the jaws in place, and the measurement data is displayed on a readable LCD screen.
Benefits of a Body Fat Caliper
The main advantage of using a body fat caliper is that it helps you understand your body better by providing data such as your body fat percentage, which can be used to optimize your health and fitness routine. The caliper measures skinfold in specific areas and uses a formula to calculate your fat percentage based on an ideal health standard. Some measurements may require the use of a tape measure.
In some cases, the body fat percentage may not be displayed immediately, and you may need to perform the calculation yourself. The Jackson & Pollock formula is a popular method for computing body fat percentage, and it involves measuring the abdomen, chest, and thigh in millimeters and incorporating age into the calculation.
Once you know your body fat percentage, you can be categorized based on different classifications ranging from obese to athletic. According to the American Council on Exercise, healthy body fat percentages vary by gender, with women having a healthy range of 10-13% and men having a healthy range of 2-5%. Obesity is classified as having 25-32% body fat or more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use a body fat caliper?
Using a body fat caliper is a relatively simple process, but it does require some practice and precision to achieve accurate results. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a body fat caliper:
- Determine the skinfold sites: There are specific skinfold sites that you need to measure to calculate your body fat percentage accurately. The most common skinfold sites include the triceps, biceps, subscapular, and suprailiac. You can find guides or videos online to help you locate these areas on your body.
- Prepare the skinfold site: Before taking the measurement, it’s essential to prepare the skinfold site by cleaning it and removing any excess oil or lotion. If necessary, use a damp cloth to wipe the area dry.
- Pinch the skinfold: Using your thumb and index finger, pinch the skinfold site firmly, creating a fold of skin and underlying tissue.
- Place the caliper: With the skinfold still pinched, place the caliper’s jaws perpendicular to the fold of skin and tissue, halfway between the base and the top of the fold.
- Take the measurement: Release the caliper’s trigger slowly, allowing the jaws to close around the skinfold gently. Wait for a few seconds before taking the reading. Record the measurement in millimeters.
- Repeat the measurement: For greater accuracy, take three measurements at each skinfold site and use the average value for your calculations.
- Calculate your body fat percentage: Use a formula or online calculator to convert the measurements into a body fat percentage.
With practice and consistency, you can become proficient in using a body fat caliper to track your progress towards your fitness goals.
How do you compute body fat percentage?
Body fat percentage can be computed by using a formula that takes into account the measurements of skinfold thickness at specific sites on the body. The most popular formula for this is the Jackson & Pollock formula, which involves the following steps:
- Measure the skinfold thickness at specific sites on the body, usually the chest, abdomen, and thigh for men and the triceps, suprailiac (above the hip bone), and thigh for women.
- Sum the measurements in millimeters (mm) for each site.
- Plug the sum of the measurements into the following formula:
For men: 1.10938 – (0.0008267 x sum of skinfold measurements) + (0.0000016 x square of sum of skinfold measurements) – (0.0002574 x age)
For women: 1.0994921 – (0.0009929 x sum of skinfold measurements) + (0.0000023 x square of sum of skinfold measurements) – (0.0001392 x age)
- This formula will give you the body density. The body fat percentage can then be calculated using a different formula, such as the Siri equation, which uses body density to calculate body fat percentage.
Am I in the healthy body fat percentage range?
As a general guideline, for women, a healthy body fat percentage range is typically considered to be around 10-13%. For men, it is around 2-5%.
However, it’s important to note that individual circumstances such as age, fitness level, and overall health can also affect the ideal body fat percentage range.
If you are concerned about your body fat percentage, it’s best to consult a medical professional or a certified personal trainer for personalized advice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a body fat caliper is an essential tool for individuals who want to understand their body better and improve their overall health.
There are different types of calipers available on the market, with manual and digital calipers being the two basic categories.
While manual calipers are reliable and more affordable, digital calipers are more prevalent in recent years and easier to use.
It is crucial to choose a reliable brand with good customer service and warranty when purchasing a body fat caliper.
Accuracy and precision are essential factors to consider, and the measurement sites must be correctly identified to ensure accurate readings.
Computing body fat percentage can be a complicated process, but formulas such as the Jackson & Pollock formula can be used to estimate it.
Once you have your body fat percentage, you can classify yourself according to different categories and work towards achieving a healthy body fat percentage range.
Overall, a body fat caliper can be a useful tool in your fitness journey. It can provide you with data and insights that can help you optimize your health and fitness regimen.