Pinch Test

**babymakes5** · 07-26-2007, 10:35 PM

I had a pinch test today at the gym to measure bodyfat. My arms were 18, waist 11, and thighs 34

mg:. I wear a size 6 I would have never guessed my legs would be that big. Overall I am 25, which is average...I will be working my butt off for the next five weeks and then retest.

**bumplett** · 07-26-2007, 10:37 PM

how do they do the 'pinch test'?

I always wondered how they measured body fat........

**babymakes5** · 07-26-2007, 10:39 PM

They used some little machine and pinched up all your fat and it measured it. I remembered it from junior high, a very long time ago.

**PrairieRose** · 07-27-2007, 08:29 AM

Ok, I will NEVER have one of those done.....lol. I can still pinch a foot (remember those pinch and inch commercials?). No way, stay completely away from me with that gizmo......

**Dancing Lotus** · 07-27-2007, 08:43 AM

I will never subject myself to that. LOL

**baxjul** · 07-28-2007, 12:44 PM

OMG! The thought is giving me goosebumps! They would have to get me drunk first!

**jlaporte** · 07-28-2007, 03:18 PM

some things i just do not need to know! i have had 3 kids and several back and hip and knee injuries that keep me from high inpack. i were a size 22.OMG!!!!did i just type that?anyother numbers that scare me are just to much. but i do have to say my hubby had that done a few years ago. mind u he is the same size as in high schoo 30! he is now 40 and that test said he had like 1% body fat . the guy said he never saw that before. i told my dh yeah its because everything you eat sticks to me!!!

**Libby** · 07-29-2007, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by jlaporte

some things i just do not need to know! i have had 3 kids and several back and hip and knee injuries that keep me from high inpack. i were a size 22.OMG!!!!did i just type that?anyother numbers that scare me are just to much. but i do have to say my hubby had that done a few years ago. mind u he is the same size as in high schoo 30! he is now 40 and that test said he had like 1% body fat . the guy said he never saw that before. i told my dh yeah its because everything you eat sticks to me!!!

Hahahaha this thread is too funny! Its true, men can eat and gain quick but they also have the ability to lose it just as fast. SOOOO not fair if you ask me. Im always the one to crave junky food but Im only capable of eating a bite or two vs him, he will eat the whole lot if I let him

He gains the lb's and then loses's them with a snap of his fingers.

As for this pinch test - um no thanks, I can do it myself and see that I can pinch more than an inch and Ive never given birth to any kids so I have no excuses....I know Im a big girl! Dont need more witnesses to verify that, thank you very much.

But what Im wondering is how accurate is the caliper/pinch test? I mean the BMI is a bit off - it doesnt allow leeway for different body make ups - some people are just naturally lean and the ones that are heavier then me have a lower BMI - so its not all that accurate if you ask me.

**Edna_E** · 07-30-2007, 01:49 PM

I'm skeptical of it, and also disinclined to have a number attached to something that I can see in the mirror without my glasses on - it's higher than it ought to be -'nuff said!

**annymoll** · 07-30-2007, 03:57 PM

You can have a DEXA test done.It uses a whole body scanner and two different low dose x-rays and will measure both bone density and body fat percentage. Sometimes insurance will cover the cost, if not it is fairly inexpensive.But I wouldn't advise it unless you really want to know-it is very accurate. Ask your health care provider for details.