Sequoia Fitness TrimCal 4000 Body Fat Caliper (Black) [Health and Beauty] with Fat% Chart

I use this for the 3-site Jackson & Pollock estimate for body fat percent. It's been reliable and easy to use. Great for the price.

It was larger and sturdier than I expected. It measures about 9x8". The plastic seems thick and quality. The springs close the measuring claws so it will give repeatedly accurate results. The springs are good quality, but could be replaced if broken. The old ones would need to be cut off, but the anchors could easily hold new springs (see picture). Comes with a 3-point measuring system and a 2page result chart. Could easily be used with a 6-point system found online for free, but my point is you can use it straight out of the package without anything else but yourself. Definitely recommend for someone who wants a cheap but quality skinfold caliper.

The Sequoia Fitness TrimCal 4000 Body Fat Caliper has been an essential tool in my fitness journey. As someone who is mindful of their health and fitness, I wanted an accurate and reliable way to track my body fat percentage, and this caliper has not disappointed. Pros: Accurate Measurements: The TrimCal 4000 provides consistent and accurate body fat measurements. It helps me monitor my progress and make informed adjustments to my fitness and nutrition routines. Easy to Use: Using this caliper is straightforward, even for someone like me who isn't a fitness expert. The instructions are clear, and it's a quick process to measure body fat in different areas. Compact and Portable: The caliper's compact size allows for easy storage, and it's convenient to take along when I travel. It doesn't take up much space in my gym bag or luggage. Durable Build: The caliper feels sturdy and well-constructed. It has held up well over time, and I have no concerns about its durability. Includes Fat% Chart: Having the fat percentage chart included with the caliper is incredibly helpful. It enables me to interpret the readings and understand where I stand in terms of body fat percentage. Cons: Learning Curve: While the caliper is easy to use once you get the hang of it, there is a slight learning curve at first. It might take a couple of tries to ensure accurate measurements. Not Suitable for Everyone: It's essential to note that body fat calipers might not be the most accurate method for everyone. Factors like age, fitness level, and hydration can influence the results. Overall, I'm happy with my purchase of the TrimCal 4000 Body Fat Caliper. It has become an integral part of my fitness routine, helping me stay on track and motivated. However, keep in mind that while it provides valuable insights, it's essential to consider other measurements and consult a professional if you have specific health or fitness goals in mind. I hope this review helps you make an informed decision and embark on a successful fitness journey!

It’s cheap but it works. Don’t need to spend $1000 to see if I’m fat or not.

Seems fine, but I’m new to this so perhaps I need practice with it. I used the calipers and followed the instruction sheet to use the tool on myself. I’m male, 5 ft 9 in 195 lbs and have been lifting weights several days per week for some time now. This tool calculated me at 51% body fat. At 5’9” and 195?! Seems high. I used the tape to take measurements and plugged them into a body fat calculator and got 23.1%. My BMI at the doctor’s a few days ago was 29. So I think the 23.1% is more accurate. The caliper is large and it’s a bit cumbersome to use on yourself. Maybe I just need to practice with it. The measuring tape seems decent. I’ve used a tailor’s tape to measure before which is quite cumbersome to use on myself because it doesn’t hold itself like this tape does. This tape also starts at 2 inches to account for the body of the device itself. So I trust it’s pretty accurate. The measurements that I got with this tape are in line with what I got with the tailor’s tape. I think this tape is a good tool. Actually, I think they may both be good tools once you know how to use them and practice getting accurate readings with the calipers. Am I overweight? Yes, but not obese. 51 percent is morbidly obese! I’m nowhere close to that. Not by a very long shot! BMI comes from height vs weight, but I’m a bodybuilder so I’m going to be a bit heavy for my height and I do have body fat but my belly is pretty flat and there’s just no way I’m 51% fat! Are you kidding?! So practice with the calipers until you can get the pinch correct and see the readings clearly. It could be that my calipers are wrong too. I don’t know yet. I may have to update this review. Of course, this is not a medical grade device and won’t be as accurate as one. If you REALLY need to know your accurate body fat, ask your doctor or see if your gym has one. Maybe your personal trainer can give you an accurate reading with it. Summary: tape good, calipers meh, I don’t know.

These calipers give very consistent results for skinfold measurement, which is the most important thing for any caliper to do. Even if you aren't skilled with calipers, so long as you remain consistent in how you use them, you can get meaningful information from them, even if the numbers are all wrong. If your goal is to drop subcutaneous fat then all you really need to concern yourself with is how much your skin fold measurements change over time. If the measurements are decreasing, then you're on the right track, and if they're not....well...you probably need to change something. And for those who are trying to get absolute body fat measurements: While calipers like these aren't the most accurate means of measuring body composition, they do a good job for what you pay for them. The more accurate means available are very costly. This is especially true in my case, as I have a lot of water weight from kidney disease, which makes other common and inexpensive methods (such as BIA) practically useless because the percentage numbers are skewed heavily in favor of the water content, making i.e. fat and muscle percentages look lower than they actually are.

These body fat calipers are definitely solid in terms of build and accuracy—they feel professional, like the kind you’d find in a legit gym or used by someone who says things like “macros” unironically. That said, they’re a bit big and bulky for home use. I gave them a try but kept going back to my basic plastic ones without the fancy spring. They’re just quicker, simpler, and less intimidating when you’re half-dressed and pinching your own belly. These are great if you want something sturdy and pro-level, but for quick check-ins at home, they might be a bit much.

Friends, the only true way to gauge body fat percentage is with the help of a medical professional or, as my mother put it, how well your clothes feel. For some, this lesson may come at the cost of months or even years of determination and self-discipline, while for others it may cost nothing at all: for me, it was about $25. I should’ve known better than to put my trust in the quality and accuracy of a cheap, no-name piece of junk born from what was most likely a Chinese sweat shop—par for the course for Amazon, as many can attest—yet alas, in a lapse of judgement, I chose to give its creators the benefit of the doubt. Just looking at the photos should tell you everything you need to know. Brief, puzzling and oddly worded instruction sheets? Check. An obvious defect in one or more of the main products? Check (last time I checked, measuring tape doesn’t start out at 2”). Lack of common functionality (in this case, a notch to gauge proper tension)? You better believe that’s a a check. Ultimately, I’m not disappointed with the product so much as I am disappointed I myself for buying it. Nevertheless, I hope my experience can serve as a lesson to those who are perhaps less knowing of the typical glut of cheap garbage known to occupy the top results of nearly any imaginable Amazon search, or to anyone desperate to take weight loos into their own hands. Simply put, this product is just not worth it.

The product is rusty.”

Ok

The product is made from robust plastic. It will help me monitor my fat level, providing extra quantitative feedback. Edit: after my first uses, an improvement would be able to read the measures from the back side too. It also takes practice to achieve more stable measures; at the beginning, I was not pinching enough fat! Adjust jour technique until you get the largest thickness without pinching muscles.

If you're looking to use body calipers and don't have a huge budget these are great. Unlike the cheaper and shorter plastic calipers these actually have a decently accurate dial on the back and the pincher style makes it much easier to take measurements in patients with lower body fat. They're light and kinda feel cheap but I've used it for a while and it hasn't broken and gives repeatable results

Calipers good. Measuring tape starts at 5cm so not good. Threw that away