Tanita bodyfat scale

[tlm1]

Hey guys, anyone have any input or thoughts on the accuracy of Tanita bodyfat scales? They are not cheap but I am a little skeptical of them - thinking about buying one.

Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated!

[goin on 4T]

They don't work! I was going to buy one too and then all I found for reviews was how py they are! Stick with calipers done at the same time of day.

[musclemom]

I'd actually like to find just an accurate scale. Current POS I have now is digital but you step on it, it gives you one weight, step on it again, you get another weight, step on it a third time, yet another weight. I have to have digital, because I can't see the numbers on the other kind anymore (god I'm so old).

I know, we're not supposed to go by scale weight but it is a good way to keep track of things when you're the kind of person who can put on 10 pounds before your clothes get snug (being tall does have advantages).

[tlm1]

The main thing I was looking for was the easy bodyfat readout. I don't worry too much about what the scale says I weigh, I go more by how my clothes fit and how I look in the mirror.

[Nomak666]

dont buy em. they are a waste and are not accurate. calipers are pretty accurate, but for bodybuilders who have big stomachs but have low body fat, its not accurate. calipers only measure your subcutaneous fat (the fat on top of your abdominals, visceral fat is behind the abdominals. the best is just by judging in the mirror. who cares how much your bodyfat is, as long as you get those abs coming out and you are seeing results in the mirror, keep doing what youre doing.

[RottenWillow]

Quote posted by tlm1 Hey guys, anyone have any input or thoughts on the accuracy of Tanita bodyfat scales? They are not cheap but I am a little skeptical of them - thinking about buying one. Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated!

electric impedance bf scales can be consistently accurate to about 1% bf, given a few conditions.

1)you must maintain a consistent level of hydration from one reading to the next. Anything that lowers your level of hydration, like caffeine (or diuretics of any sort), exercise, even hot showers will probably cause the scale to indicate a higher bf reading.

2)avoid using it after having recently consumed large amounts of liquid, which will effect the reading, either up or down.

3)If you are particularly low on your minerals, then it may also return high readings. Stay hydrated and eat a varied diet that supplies chloride, magnesium, sodium, potassium, etc, and you'll probably be ok.


Just weigh yourself after the same number of meals each day and it'll be pretty consistent. I've found that if you know how to use the electrical impedance bf scales they are a good tool.

[Gawd]

From what i've read online these scales are accurate for weight but incredibly inaccurate for body fat.
I have easy access to one so I use it to compare to previous readings. But theres about a 6 - 8% difference between this reading and the calipers.

[Jesse_01]

I tried one of those scales once in the store. The sales guy bragged about how good they are. It tried to tell me my body fat was at 48%. I know I dont have a six pack, but 48% please lol.