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It’s critical to be consistent and apply the same amount of force when pulling the skin.
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Maintain pressure and continue holding the fold while you take the measurement. The goal here is to be gentle yet forceful. When performing a body fat analysis, pinch and pull the skin away from the muscle and apply the calipers on the skin and fat only, avoiding the muscle. One of the most industry-recognized body fat estimates, we recommend using the Jackson Pollock method, which requires the following 7 test sites: Warn them of the pain or discomfort that is associated with performing a proper body fat analysis. Let them know that you will be pinching and pulling at their skin. When meeting with your clients for the initial assessment, it’s important to inform them of the entire process and ask their permission before administering any tests. Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the measurements and have had some practice, it’s time to start applying this knowledge to your training sessions. Clients will expect that you are experienced and professional throughout. You’ll need to get up close and personal with your clients during the skinfold measurements, so you should also be comfortable with the entire process. Otherwise, your best bet is to check with friends and family members to see if they’ll let you use them as test subjects. If you’re new to this, you may want to see if there are any classes or workshops in your area to get some experience. If you’ve measured someone’s body fat in the past, you’re already one step ahead by being familiar with the process. The cheaper, plastic versions are less precise and generally lack the constant pressure needed for accurate and consistent measurements. It’s important to spend a few extra bucks to get a quality caliper. This has become the most widely method primarily due to the cost effectiveness, accuracy and ease of use.
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The preferred standard by most trainers to use fat calipers to measure specific skinfolds. There are several methods to measure an individual’s body fat such as water displacement, biometric impedance and through the use of a body fat skinfold caliper. Subcutaneous fat is what most people refer to as “fat” – you can see and “pinch” it, as opposed to visceral fat which is deeply concentrated around your organs.
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Body composition describes the percentages of subcutaneous body fat and lean body mass. Knowing your client’s body fat measurements will allow you to quickly calculate his or her body composition. Partially stemming from the cultural desire to look a certain way and the negative stigma around it, measuring body fat happens to be perhaps the most effective ways of helping your clients to track their progress and stay motivated in the pursuit of their goals. While body fat may be indicative of other types of existing health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease, even the lowest levels of body fat don’t automatically imply an individual is in good health. For better or worse, body fat has become one of the most often used measures of one’s health. Social Focus On Body FatĪn increasing number of all personal training clients today are looking for help in reducing their body fat. To access the body fat calculator be sure to visit our Resources page here. Your body simply can’t function without it.
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Everyone has some sort of body fat somewhere on their body.
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