7-Site Skinfold (Jackson & Pollock)

Quickly measure and calculate your body fat%, lean body mass, and fat mass

Keep in mind that the comparison classifications vary by age and by gender, so it wouldn’t make sense to compare the body fat percentages of a 32 year old man vs a 32 year old woman, or a 32 year old woman vs a 65 year old woman. Skinfold measurements measure subcutaneous fat located under your skin and not visceral fat located within your abdomen. These metrics are best combined with circumference measurements and weight to create a complete picture of your health.

7-Site Skinfold (Jackson & Pollock) Protocol

Purpose

Estimate body fat % based on measurements of subcutaneous fat.

Equipment

Skinfold caliper

Procedure

Measurements are taken on the right side of body. Caliber needs to be perpendicular to the site analyzed. The participant must relax the muscle group that is being assessed. When skin fold is pinched, the practitioner should be taking reading at the middle of the pinched skin, not apex or base. Wait 1 to 2 seconds after releasing caliber, record closest 0.5mm. Retake each site in order to obtain accurate readings.

  • Tricep: vertical fold at the midpoint of the posterior side of tricep between shoulder and elbow with arm relaxed at the side.
  • Chest: diagonal fold half the distance between anterior axillary line and the nipple.
  • Subscapular: diagonal fold 2cm from inferior angle of the scapula.
  • Midaxillary: at midaxillary line horizontal to xiphoid process of the sternum.
  • Suprailiac: diagonal fold parallel and superior to the iliac crest.
  • Abdominal: vertical fold 2cm to the right of the navel.
  • Thigh: midpoint of the anterior side of the upper leg between the patella and top of thigh.

7-Site Skinfold (Jackson & Pollock) Calculation

yrs
lbs
mm
mm
mm
mm
mm
mm
mm

Calculation Result

DATE -
Body Fat % -
Body Fat% Classification -
Lean Body Mass (lbs) -
Fat Mass (lbs) -

Body Fat % Classification Chart

Male: 18-29 y/o

CLASSIFICATION FROM (%) TO (%)
Essential Fat 2 5
Excellent 5.1 9.3
Good 9.4 14
Average 14.1 17.5
Below Average 17.6 22.5
Poor 22.6 >22.6

Male: 30-39 y/o

CLASSIFICATION FROM (%) TO (%)
Essential Fat 2 5
Excellent 5.1 13.8
Good 13.9 17.4
Average 17.5 20.4
Below Average 20.5 24.1
Poor 24.2 >24.2

Male: 40-49 y/o

CLASSIFICATION FROM (%) TO (%)
Essential Fat 2 5
Excellent 5.1 16.2
Good 16.3 19.5
Average 19.6 22.4
Below Average 22.5 26
Poor 26.1 >26.1

Male: 50-59 y/o

CLASSIFICATION FROM (%) TO (%)
Essential Fat 2 5
Excellent 5.1 17.8
Good 17.9 21.2
Average 21.3 24
Below Average 24.1 27.4
Poor 27.5 >27.5

Male: 60-100 y/o

CLASSIFICATION FROM (%) TO (%)
Essential Fat 2 5
Excellent 5.1 18.3
Good 18.4 21.9
Average 22 25
Below Average 25.1 28.4
Poor 28.5 >28.5

Female: 18-29 y/o

CLASSIFICATION FROM (%) TO (%)
Essential Fat 10 13
Excellent 13.1 17
Good 17.1 20.5
Average 20.6 23.6
Below Average 23.7 27.6
Poor 27.7 >27.7

Female: 30-39 y/o

CLASSIFICATION FROM (%) TO (%)
Essential Fat 10 13
Excellent 13.1 17.9
Good 18 21.5
Average 21.6 24.8
Below Average 24.9 29.2
Poor 29.3 >29.3

Female: 40-49 y/o

CLASSIFICATION FROM (%) TO (%)
Essential Fat 10 13
Excellent 13.1 21.2
Good 21.3 24.8
Average 24.9 28
Below Average 28.1 32
Poor 32.1 >32.1

Female: 50-59 y/o

CLASSIFICATION FROM (%) TO (%)
Essential Fat 10 13
Excellent 13.1 24.9
Good 25 28.4
Average 28.5 31.5
Below Average 31.6 35.5
Poor 35.6 >35.6

Female: 60-100 y/o

CLASSIFICATION FROM (%) TO (%)
Essential Fat 10 13
Excellent 13.1 25
Good 25.1 29.2
Average 29.3 32.4
Below Average 32.5 36.5
Poor 36.6 >36.6

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