Scales that calculate Body Fat

I don't think they're very accurate, but a good one will be consistent. So, if you use one regularly, under the same conditions (time of day, hydration, etc), you will be able track whether your BF is increasing or decreasing.
 
^ Great answer! Bioelectric impedance is not a great guage of measuring bf but can be a good indicator of changes in bf%.
 
They are not accurate, they only calculate your body fat in the bottom half of your body, and the readings change all the time. You're much better off with calipers.
 
In my opinion they're not accurate, i once lost 2% body fat over night, simply because i was drinking a bit of water and had a big dinner the ngiht before, the next morning i lost a few pounds and apparently a lot of body fat, haha. I think they just use a formula derived from weight and height and such.
 
In my opinion they're not accurate, i once lost 2% body fat over night, simply because i was drinking a bit of water and had a big dinner the ngiht before, the next morning i lost a few pounds and apparently a lot of body fat, haha. I think they just use a formula derived from weight and height and such.

Doubtful. It's important you read and follow the directions that come with the scale. In the morning, your BF reading will be HIGH on these scales because you're dehydrated. As I said above, the good ones are consistent and can give useful, if not absolutely accurate information. Just another tool in your kit.
 
Doubtful. It's important you read and follow the directions that come with the scale. In the morning, your BF reading will be HIGH on these scales because you're dehydrated. As I said above, the good ones are consistent and can give useful, if not absolutely accurate information. Just another tool in your kit.

Not doubtful, I have tried similar models (that work on the upper body) with a personal trainer. He used it as a bit of a laugh- before using the pinchy things (callipers?). Showed me how the callipers can go down yet the body fat can go up even higher....

I'd place a bet on the scales doing the same. Just water difference. I'd not waste my money myself but go for it if it makes you happy.
 
Not doubtful, I have tried similar models (that work on the upper body) with a personal trainer. He used it as a bit of a laugh- before using the pinchy things (callipers?). Showed me how the callipers can go down yet the body fat can go up even higher....

I'd place a bet on the scales doing the same. Just water difference. I'd not waste my money myself but go for it if it makes you happy.

BIA actually has a lower standard deviation and overall error than utilizing calipers, and if you could get your hands on a hand-to-foot BIA device, it would certainly be more accurate. Calipers are the prehistoric wheel when it comes to measuring body fat... and unless someone is utilizing the 7-site method (most accurate), it's not even worth wasting the time on.

I've had a Tanita that has served me pretty well. It has issues with its precision from time to time (as compared to two underwater weighings I was was able to participate in), but if I use it correctly (same time of day each time), it's pretty accurate, which is a good thing because it allows me to see the overall trends in my body comp, which is almost as good as an actual number. But following the directions is extremely important. If you don't weigh yourself at the same time of day each time, there can be a good bit of deviation, typically revolving around the issue of water intake. Which makes it important to weigh after waking up, typically after the pee-break but before any sort of food/liquid intake.
 
BIA is less than accurate. DEXA on the other hand is highly accurate. Though you can't do a DEXA scan in your bathroom. That being said, body fat percentage is definitely the figure you want to be looking at when you're looking at your overall healthy weight. Far better than BMI.

You're onto something by looking at this.
 
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