Kamille Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 I measured my body fat at the gym and it was, surprisingly, pretty high. Both the gym trainer and I were a bit stunned when the number came out. I then decided to get one of those scales that measured body fat, to motivate me to lose it. Got one, just stepped on it, and my body fat level registers 9% points lower... Making me a 'fit' person who doesn't actually need to lose body fat. (My body weight is the same on both scales). I'm all confused now... Which scale should I believe? What could explain the discrepancy?
sb129 Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 When you did it at the gym, did you have someone do the proper callipers/ tape measure method of measuring bodyfat? I think scales can vary in their accuracy...
Author Kamille Posted February 8, 2011 Author Posted February 8, 2011 When you did it at the gym, did you have someone do the proper callipers/ tape measure method of measuring bodyfat? I think scales can vary in their accuracy... No, it was just the scale. The scale at the gym showed I was dehydrated, which according to the trainer could have made a small difference in the %, but nothing over 2-3% points.
Star Gazer Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 I'd never ever rely on the scale for body fat. When using them at the gym, and at home, they can vary anywhere from 2-10 percent depending on the day (and that's within the same scale). Same thing goes for that gizmo they have that you hold onto and sends pulses through you. If you can, get tested inside the Bod Pod (absolutely the most accurate), or get dunked in a hydrostatic tank. If neither of those are available, use the caliper method. But those scales? Highly unreliable.
Mad Max Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 They say the most accurate way to do it is while in water.
sb129 Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 I don't think those scales are the most accurate way of measuring body fat %. Whenever my trainer has done it she has done it with a tape measure and some callipers.
USMCHokie Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 I'd never ever rely on the scale for body fat. When using them at the gym, and at home, they can vary anywhere from 2-10 percent depending on the day (and that's within the same scale). Same thing goes for that gizmo they have that you hold onto and sends pulses through you. If you can, get tested inside the Bod Pod (absolutely the most accurate), or get dunked in a hydrostatic tank. If neither of those are available, use the caliper method. But those scales? Highly unreliable. This. Calipers should only be used by someone who actually knows how to use them and calculate a BF% with the raw numbers. However, it's still relatively inaccurate compared to hydrostatic tests or the BodPod. That being said, just like with body weight, you shouldn't be concerned with the raw number, but the change in numbers over time, as that is the measure of your progress. Just make sure to use the exact same method of testing each time.
Author Kamille Posted February 8, 2011 Author Posted February 8, 2011 Aren't Bod Pod measurements costly? I want to measure my progress on a regular basis. Guess I'll stick to relying on measuring body weight.
Star Gazer Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 They say the most accurate way to do it is while in water. It's actually a Bod Pod, the more advanced way. But a hydrostatic tank is a close second. Thing is, both can be pricey. If you use tape measure and calipers AND have the same trainer measuring you at the same time of day each time, the caliper method will be the cheapest and most accurate way of seeing how much body fat you're actually losing. The base number might not be spot on, but the methodology of determining your loss will be consistent. (Only thing is...it HURTS!!!)
Author Kamille Posted February 8, 2011 Author Posted February 8, 2011 That being said, just like with body weight, you shouldn't be concerned with the raw number, but the change in numbers over time, as that is the measure of your progress. Just make sure to use the exact same method of testing each time. That's a good plan. I could get tested on a Bod Pod, set my goal and then measure the progress on my home scale, if it is "stable" (in other words, if it doesn't vary within the same day).
USMCHokie Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 Aren't Bod Pod measurements costly? I want to measure my progress on a regular basis. Guess I'll stick to relying on measuring body weight. Yes. It's not a realistic method of measuring BF% on a frequent basis. To be honest, it's not a number you should really even be concerned with. Same goes for body weight. As long as you have more energy and feel good about yourself, everything else will fall into place.
Star Gazer Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 That's a good plan. I could get tested on a Bod Pod, set my goal and then measure the progress on my home scale, if it is "stable" (in other words, if it doesn't vary within the same day). Kam, I really, really don't think your scale should be used to monitor your body fat - AT ALL. They're honestly useless for body fat. They're just not technologically sound. Weight, yes. But not for something as complex as body fat. My scale reads BF and weight, and between yesterday morning and this morning, I lost 5% of body fat. Obviously, that's inaccurate! For you, given cost concerns, I'd do one Bod Pod or dunk AND a caliper test for comparison of the two, and then monitor loss progress with weekly or bi-weekly caliper tests.
Author Kamille Posted February 8, 2011 Author Posted February 8, 2011 Yes. It's not a realistic method of measuring BF% on a frequent basis. To be honest, it's not a number you should really even be concerned with. Same goes for body weight. As long as you have more energy and feel good about yourself, everything else will fall into place. I like that approach ! I'm still set on trying to motivate myself by measuring my progress somehow. For you, given cost concerns, I'd do one Bod Pod or dunk AND a caliper test for comparison of the two, and then monitor loss progress with weekly or bi-weekly caliper tests. I'll ask at the gym if anyone does caliper tests.
USMCHokie Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 I like that approach ! I'm still set on trying to motivate myself by measuring my progress somehow. Oh, I absolutely agree that seeing tangible results and progress is the greatest motivator. Just be careful not to get too caught up in the numbers...it can easily fall the other way where you get demotivated because the numbers aren't moving the way you want them or expect them based on prior progress... But I'll echo the general advice given here that you should pick a test and do that one test exclusively, looking only at the delta...
Isolde Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 I never understood how a scale could reasonably measure BFP. It doesn't make any rational sense.
just_some_guy Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 The scales estimate body fat and hydration by measuring electrical impedance through the body. Most of them measure via the feet when you stand on it. Differences in foot placement and whether your feet are super dry, a little sweaty or soaking wet will make a big difference in the reading on the scale. Under ideal conditions, they produce reasonable numbers if you aren't real hung up on fine accuracy. At 9% body fat, you're probably not going to get reliable readings from these devices.
Author Kamille Posted February 8, 2011 Author Posted February 8, 2011 I just want to be clear... My body fat isn't 9%. On one scale it was 30% and on the other it was 21%. There was a 9% difference. I think (hope?) the truth lies somewhere in-between.
wbr4p Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 its kind of weird guys, my bmi says normal or ideal weight but my body fat perentage is pretty hgih, hell it even says i am obese. my legs are skinny its just my tummy. i love ice cream, cake and whatnot. sometimes thats the only thing i eat and i been depressed for a while (but i am getting better thankfully) anyway this is where i calculated it. http://www.bmi-calculator.net/body-fat-calculator/ i want to post a pic here naked but its too gross, i dont wanna blind anyone.
Recommended Posts