Bowflex Ultimate 2 - Manual (Page 68)

66
Using Calipers When Measuring Skinfolds
The procedure for measuring skinfold thickness is to grasp firmly with the thumb and forefinger
a fold of skin and surface fat and pull it away from the underlying muscle. Take the caliper in
your other hand and open the jaws. Clamp the jaws over the pinched skin and fat. The jaws exert
constant tension at the point of contact with the skin. The thickness of the double layer of skin
and fat can then be read directly from the caliper, which is marked in millimeters.
Use these figures on the following chart to
determine your body-fat percentage and
enter the number on the line below.
Starting body-fat percentage
Women
Suprailium
Triceps
Thigh
Total
Men
Chest
Abdomen
Thigh
Total
Optional Picture Taking
Pictures can be the most exciting evaluation
you can do. The numbers and the tape
measurements are great, but actually seeing
differences from comparison photographs of
yourself is quite satisfying.
Taking full-length photographs is not difficult,
but to see the maximum difference between
before and after, you should follow these
guidelines.
1) Keep everything the same. Wear the same
outfit, a snug solid color is best, and have
the person taking the picture stand in the
same place, with the same setting behind
you.
2) Make sure you stand against an uncluttered,
light background.
3) Have the person taking the photograph
move away from you until he can see your
entire body in the viewfinder.
4) Stand relaxed for three pictures, front, right
side, and back. Do not try to suck in your
stomach.
5) Interlace your fingers and place them on top
of your head, so the contours of your torso
will be plainly visible. Keep your feet 8” (20
cm) apart in all three pictures.
6) When you get the film developed tell the
processors to make your after photos the
same size as your previous ones. This way,
your height in both sets of photos is equal
and more valid comparisons can be made.
Measurements