Accurate Body Fat %

[LilRed03]

When I joined a gym a few months ago, a trainer measured my body fat percentage. I was expecting him to use calipers, but he did not. Instead, he asked me a few questions, such as height, weight, and age, and then handed me something. I don't know what it was. I grasped it with both hands and held my arms out straight while firmly grabbing it. Does anybody know what that was, and how accurate it is? Thank you. I hope this isn't a silly question, but I had never heard or seen of measuring body fat & like that.

[emunah]

Bioimpedance. Measuring electric current. Flows differently in fat vs muscle. But it is very vulnerable to hydration.

Not very accurate. But easy.

[emmie]

Omron is the brand name of one of those devices. They cost about $50 and many people have them for home use.

Regarding accuracy, it seems to me that the most important thing is to select a method of measuring your BF (Omron, hydrostatic, calipers, BodPod, whatever) and to STICK WITH IT. Obtain a baseline measurement and then make sure that subsequent measurements are done under consistant conditions (i.e., same time of day). That way you'll be able to gauge your progress accurately.

P.S. Hi emunah :)

[miss_carrie]

i have that thing, or at least something similar...the omron bodyfat tester. i like it but from what i understand its most accurate in the morning if you do it right after you use the bathroom but before washing your hands (apparently a little bit of water on your hands can make a difference). anyway i feel like it's pretty accurate for me and i have been getting consistent readings as far as how much LBM i have

[LilRed03]

Thanks for the info, yall.

[madisongrace]

I had mine tested three ways...

1. with skin calibers
2. with a fancy $1k machine at the gym
3. with the omron thingie

The omron thingie was about 8% higher than the other two methods.