Does the BF device really work?

[TRAPezoid]

Beasts...

They have that little device that measures BF at our gym. Since BF is all you dieting freaks talk about, I decided to do it today before my workout. It said that I had 7.4 % BF. The guy said he thought the machine was a little low and I was probably around 8 %. From what I have read that is a pretty good percentage. Is that device an accurate way to gauge one's own BF?

(I posted this thread in the weight training forum but I meant to post it here, I just couldn't figure out how to erase the other one.)

 

[x_con]

personally i dont think they r 2 reliable, plus the guy using it can be a major source of error, that said, your prob within +- 1.5 of whatever it says, so maybe a good idea at least

 

[TRAPezoid]

Thanks X-Con

I always see the bros trying to get to 10%, even if that thing was off.... I am already there.

Time for some cake....

 

[anticure]

those things can be 5-10% off depending on hydration....

 

[asianlover]

are you taqlking about a caliper

 

[TRAPezoid]

No the electronic thingy, I heard the caliper is the worst way, digital 2nd best, and hydrostatic is the best way....

 

[crunkjuice]

Is that the one that you hold on to with both hands and then it tells you?

 

[TRAPezoid]

Yeah, that what it was.

 

[sparetire]

our trainer told us there's a 3% margin in either direction. The best scales to use are the ones you stand on which are calibrated for athletes. You have to be sure that on the box it says that. Also, for a really good scale you'll spend about 100$.

 

[TRAPezoid]

Nice bro, I think they have one at the gym... I'll try it tomorrow.

 

[dgatehouse]

I personally don't trust those things. Last time I used one it said I was at 18% bodyfat. I'm really about 10 and I couldn't believe how far it was off. My buddy once tried one and he's no more than 7 and it said he had the same amount I did. Calipurs are generally the 2nd most accurate way to test BF% btw.

 

[anticure]

well i guess i am 6.4% according to those things which is WAY TO LOW...

 

[bilter]

I don't figure any of them are extremely accurate. even the water test a lot del=pends on the person expelling all of the air from their lungs and holding their breath. But, if done consistently they are a good way to gauge pregress (or non progress during the holiday season)

 

[wayneboard1]

those things can be 5-10% off depending on hydration....

I have always heard they are very unreliable, but I could never find any proof of that like studies or comparisons etc. I wish I could because I have some friends that swear by them and I hate them.....the scales not my friends. lol

 

[dullboy]

i was 7% bf on my honeymoon and that thing was spot-on.

 

[fenix777]

Hey bro those things are not accurate, but they are not supose to be accurate, we fail to forget those devices are design to give you an aproximate BF % so you can have an idea of were to start and to keep track of your fail/succes margin of your progress.

With that said, we can be aware of the fact that an aproximate number is only the mathematical option to obtain mental feedback of our progress, the real success is the evolution of the physical structure.

So to believe in the "Accurate/non-accurate" concept is a misleading idea, those are only methods created by humans by means of technological advacement to create a better way to reach our goal (whatever that is) and its only meant to fullfill that end, not to be accurate, is like supplements, those are meant to help you not to do it for You. Is like saying that the newer computer out there is the "accurate" one, we know technology changes by the minute and what is accurate today will not be tomorrow.

So just keep it real bro and good luck.