Bodyfat scales?

[the id]

I've been thinking of getting one, and wondered how many have them, which one works best?
I saw one on clearance at the Performance bike shop, for about what it costs online, so cost is a concern, what do you get for how much?

[RaptorMkII]

From what I understand, they can be fairly inaccurate, since they work by measuring the electrical resistivity (I think) of your feet, they can be affected by how hydrated you are.

I'd guess that one could give you a ballpark estimate about where you are, but it definitely wouldn't replace calipers or hydrostatic weighing.

that being said, I've never used one, so I don't know which are good ones and what a good price is.

[Scott21]

They are the most innacurate thing in the world, had me listed at 21% BF! How the **** can I be 21% with ab veins popping out?? Biggest gimmick to the hit the new millenium gyms!

[RaptorMkII]

had me listed at 21% BF! How the **** can I be 21% with ab veins popping out??

fat feet? :lol:

[Scott21]

fat feet? :lol:




LMAO @ the non work safe reply I can come up with right now! I'll hush up! :evil3: :D

[PTAaron]

They are OK for documenting improvement, if you keep your hydration level the same and disregard what the number is. As far as giving you a 'real' number, they are sometimes accurate - sometimes wildly inaccurate. Your body's ability to conduct the electricity can change with hydration, foods you've eaten, stress level... etc. They also don't work well for people that workout.

[TunaBoat]

When certifying weight classes for wrestlers we do a hydration test then a bodyfat analyzer which uses the hands not the feet. It is just as accurate as calipers. In order for wrestlers to get their bodyfat tested they have to pass a hydration test with the whole pee in the cup and test it with some strip thing then step on a certified scale to get their weight then plug their height, weight, age, sex in to the hand test thing and it calculates their bodyfat percentage. So get a certified scale and a bodyfat analyzer that you have to hold on to.

[the id]

I believe that strip would be a PH test strip, test the alkalinity of the sample.

I had seen the hand held version once, hmm, I'll look into it if I see one somewhere...

[Squatch]

When certifying weight classes for wrestlers we do a hydration test then a bodyfat analyzer which uses the hands not the feet. It is just as accurate as calipers. In order for wrestlers to get their bodyfat tested they have to pass a hydration test with the whole pee in the cup and test it with some strip thing then step on a certified scale to get their weight then plug their height, weight, age, sex in to the hand test thing and it calculates their bodyfat percentage. So get a certified scale and a bodyfat analyzer that you have to hold on to.

It's still not accurate. Too many variables. Having said that, caliper testing is +/- 3% margin of error, and that's with someone who knows what they are doing.

The most accurate way to gauge bf is hydrostatic testing, which can be done at most universities or sports clinics. It's not real necessary unless you absolutely want to know your exact bf%.

[the id]

Yeah that's why I was thinking that even if them scale things aren't that accurate they might be close enough. I work at the UW, so lots O' doctors in training....some of them girls is cute...;)

[Joe Cannon]

Im guessing you are asking about bioelectric impediance analysis (BIA). it uses a small electric current to estimate body fat. its not the worst out there but not the best either. Accuracy depends on how good you are at following the rules. How they define "athlete" may also impact accuracy (mine says your an athlete if you exercise 2 hrs a week!). There is a version now that does both upper and lower body body fat. its sold at many stores. in theory, it may be more accurate.
hope that helps
Joe

[troyp]

BIA can be inaccurate - varies with water consumption quite a bit. Like others said, they CAN be okay for tracking progress if you measure at the same time of day with the same routine (water intake and ... outtake).

Calipers are good in the right hands.

Another option is circumference measurements based on our military's research. I built a Body Composition Tool (http://cubedwellerfitness.com/body-composition) that can determine both body fat and genetic muscular potential based on simple measures with a tape.

[massivefreak]

BIA can be inaccurate - varies with water consumption quite a bit. Like others said, they CAN be okay for tracking progress if you measure at the same time of day with the same routine (water intake and ... outtake).

Calipers are good in the right hands.

Another option is circumference measurements based on our military's research. I built a Body Composition Tool (http://cubedwellerfitness.com/body-composition) that can determine both body fat and genetic muscular potential based on simple measures with a tape.

Actually BIA is 100% total crap. I bought a fairly high-end tanita model. After dropping 40lbs and 5 inches off my waist the bodyfat percentage it told me was the same or marginally different than before I cut. So, in my opinion and experience, it's not even good for tracking relative changes in body composition.

But there could be some out there that work I suppose. Either way I'd go with a much cheaper option - a tape measure. Between that and a mirror you're pretty good and will get way more feedback than BIA will likely give you.

[Cajov]

I have never done this before.. I usually just weigh myself on a scale

[mouth]

Same here. Weigh myself weekly and take measurements every 4th week.

That being said, I WOULD like to find out my body fat %....meh, maybe someday.

[neelsvan]

Hey there. Interesting topic. I have the same confusing experience.

I started off with the tape measure (waist and neck measurement) and using the military formula arrived at a certain %body fat .

Then bought a Body Fat Scale (not top end but looks descent) and the reading it gives is more than double the tape measure calculation method.

Then got calipers and then things became even more confusing. I found a website with 5 different caliper formulas (each one with different measuring places). There are 3 Jackson/Pollock methods a Parillo and a Durnin/Womersley method.
--> None of these results were even remotely the same. They ranged from almost the same as tape measure to almost the same as the BF scale. Even using the exact same caliper measurements in each formula.

So for now I stick to the tape measurement which is quick and easy and very consistent.

I would be very interested to hear from you experts which of the Caliper methods is considered to be the most accurate.

[JohnnyBiceps]

Bodyfat scales don't work well at all. Eating too much salt or drinking too much water makes them give different readings. It is as bad as the BMI if you ask me!

[PTAaron]

Hey there. Interesting topic. I have the same confusing experience.

I started off with the tape measure (waist and neck measurement) and using the military formula arrived at a certain %body fat .

Then bought a Body Fat Scale (not top end but looks descent) and the reading it gives is more than double the tape measure calculation method.

Then got calipers and then things became even more confusing. I found a website with 5 different caliper formulas (each one with different measuring places). There are 3 Jackson/Pollock methods a Parillo and a Durnin/Womersley method.
--> None of these results were even remotely the same. They ranged from almost the same as tape measure to almost the same as the BF scale. Even using the exact same caliper measurements in each formula.

So for now I stick to the tape measurement which is quick and easy and very consistent.

I would be very interested to hear from you experts which of the Caliper methods is considered to be the most accurate.

Great question. I've had similar issues between methods. I work with some athletic trainers who do BF testing every year for the wrestling teams at their schools... I will see if I can find out the method they use. I've always used a 3 point method, but for the life of me I can't rember which one it is.

...and for a change Johnny said something useful - BF scales are very inaccurate!

[neelsvan]

Cool thanks PTAaron.

Just for interest here is the comparison of the different methods, measured a couple of seconds ago (I am quite fired up now)

Caliper Methods
Jackson/Pollock 7 point =>> %BF = 11.8 %
Jackson/Pollock 3 point =>> %BF = 11.0 %
Jackson/Pollock 4 point =>> %BF = 12.5 %
Parrillo =>> %BF = 14.6 %
Durnin/Womersley =>> %BF = 20.0 %

Tape measure Method (Waist/Neck)
Hodgdon / Beckett =>> %BF = 8.1 %
DODInstruction 1308.3 =>> %BF = 7.8 %

Body Fat Scale
=>> %BF = 18.7 %

So its quite confusing to say the least :-(

I like to follow the tape measure calculations as it is the simplest to perform (and shows the lowest values...;-)

It seems realistic though because I really carry hardly any fat (sixpack + veins showing through the skin)

[ArchAngel]

http://www.livestrong.com/article/510059-types-of-measurement-for-body-fat-content/ I found this site when looking for the "Tape" way of measuring because I just didn't understand how that would work accuratly and accourding to the site it's not all that accurate as it doen't account for all the variables. I have one of the scales and must admit mine seems very accurate as it has been consistant with any time I've had it don't by caliper and medical staff.

[mar121y]

Tanita body fat scales and Digi Weigh body fat scales measure both body weight and body fat percentage in seconds .