Bodyfat Scales???

[skyflyer231]

Ok quick question here for anyone.

How accurate are scales that test bodyfat???

I have one at my gym, it's better than ones that you can buy. You enter in your height, age, athletic or regular, and step on metal plates without any shoes on.

It tells you your bodyfat, LBM, and some other stuff. It told me that I am at 12.2 % which I think is pretty accurate at this point.

 

[GUARDIAN]

I havent had any good success with them. I find the caliper was much more accurate.

 

[Tatyana]

Are they Tanita scales?

That is one manufacturer that does make better scales.

I think they probably have a plus/minus so many degrees of bodyfat to them.

 

[skyflyer231]

Yea it's a Tanita scale.

 

[Sculelos]

Reasonably accurate. I'd say it usually is within 5% bodyfat anyways. A caliper is generally more accurate though.

 

[bblazer]

I have the Triatholon scale. I think its horribly inaccurate. When I gain weight it shows my BF going down. When I lose, it goes up.

I think the calipers are just as bad. Stronger or less tight pinches, different placement all lead to innacuracies.

Try and find a dexa scanner in your area. Not only will it tell you BF, but bone density as well. When you get the printout, it will also break down every area of your body (I think 15) and give you the BF for each.

B-

 

[frizzy23]

If you have time on you hand and dont mind calling people just call ur local University and see if they have a water scale(don't know the real name)

 

[skyflyer231]

I know calipers have all sorts of problems. A buddy of mine is pretty skinny but he doesnt even work out. And he got one done and the results were that he was 3% bodyfat. Which is retarded.

 

[Scotsman]

Those scales work on electro-resistance. So if you aren't hydrated, have off levels of salt, or just worked out it can affect the results. There should be a listing of the error margin from the manufacturer and a set of instructions on how to get the best results.

As far as calipers go they are only as accurate as the person using them. Also there are different formulas to do the calculation with and each will yield a different result. If you use calipers make sure you have the same person do the measurements each time and use the average over time.

Both are good ways of tracking progress even if the accuracy isn't right on you can still track change over time.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[GUARDIAN]

i have some calipers that lock for the same amount of resitance everytime. they are quite neat. it has an additional lever on top of upper caliper. when u press it there is a small ball shape notch that will fit into a corresponding hole (slightly smaller) with a certain amount of pressure and lock the result in place.

 

[searay]

i have read that the scales you stand on only calculate the body fat from the waist down and the ones you hold in your hands only calculate the upper body. i wonder why they dont make one that incoperates standing on the scale and holding something that ties in.

 

[bigjd69]

Dont WASTE your $$$$$$$!!!!!!! I bought a Tanita it's off by 15% on me!!!

 

[skyflyer231]

I'm definately not intending on buying one. Just wondering how accurate they are. So off by 15% for you eh??? that's a lot...