body fat meter

[toughdawg]

We are having a contest at work as to who can drop the largest body fat % in 2 months. We used a Hand held digital meter. Does anyone know how accurate these are? Any tricks?

 

[johnny1111]

I'd like to know too. I've been thinking about getting one. -john

 

[casualbb]

How does it work? Is it an electronic caliber? Is it bioimpedence (like a tanita scale)?

-casualbb

 

[toughdawg]

Here is how it works:
You punch in your height, weight and age then set it on normal or athletic (depending on your body type). There are then two handles you hold on too for about 5 seconds and it comes up with a %. I am assuming it has a lot to do with your heart rate.

 

[casualbb]

That's a bioimpedence device. It basically measures your resistance to electric current, and based on the known resistances of different types of body tissues, spits out a number.

These are only accurate if taken promptly in the morning right after waking up and using the bathroom. Otherwise, water consumption mucks up the reading because it makes it appear to the machine that you're carrying more fat. You could make your BF appear lower by not drinking all day. Lol, if you want to make sure you win, you could do that

-casualbb

 

[toughdawg]

funny u should mention that b/c we are taking it in the morning and i am not working that day....so basically i can go to the gym, then right to work just to weigh in. this would lower my % wouldnt it?

 

[casualbb]

As long as you didn't drink during or after your workout, it would probably appear lower. Although that might not be too comfortable.

-casualbb

 

[spatts]

These are thrown WAY off by hydration. The only thing that's possibly accurate is if you do it under the EXACT same conditions EVERY time...and even then, it's only accurate in terms of progress (the change from time to time) the actual % number is probably WAY off.

Also, the more LBM you have, the less accurate it will be. I had one of those hand held Omron's tell me I was 37% a few weeks ago. Good thing I know better. Make sure the ladies in your office know that they can't compare numbes, as they have different hydration levels, levels of muscle density, etc.

That said, don't be surprised if the "skinny fat" girls (you know...the soft size 3's) have a higher body fat % than the bigger girls. Bone and fat can have a higher body fat % than MUSCLE, bone, and fat.