BIA body fat measurement, how accurate?

[pooklaroux]

I have an accumeasure caliper -- but someone told me that at higher fat percentages (that would apply to me) the single caliper isn't as accurate. WE picked up a tanita scale, it has the foot to foot bioelectric impedance analysis (and body water analysis too...) I so hope it's wrong, but I was just horrified at what it said about my fat percentage. WAY different than my caliper readings. WAY different.

Husband suggested I need to set the device to the "athletic" setting because I have a fair amount of muscle for a girl, but the instructions say you don't use that unless you "exercise vigorously 2 hours a day 5-6 days a week"

Anyone have any opinions about this?

Also, what should I be shooting for in hydration? I drink between 70 and 90 oz every day and I am trying to drink more.

[madisongrace]

I had it done with skin calibers by a professional and that reading was 10% less than that of the Tanita scales.

[FlexAppealATL]

I have a Tanita and it gave me a 40% before I set it to #3 athletic, then 35%. After 1 month I'd gone down to 29.9% and after fidgiting w/ the scale to reset it (tangent!) I pushed "something" that put a little running man icon on the screen and it shows my bodyfat to be 25% which I believe to be much more accurate --It isn't vanity, I just know my body has a lot of muscle and the earlier percentages seemed way off.

If I ever figure out what I pushed I'll let you know.

[BuffedWildCat]

Don't even pay attention to the Tanita scale, I've found it to be worthless as far as measuring your bodyfat goes. It ALWAYS measures me too high but when I put it on "athlete", then it measures me too low. It is always off AT LEAST 3% from what my husband measures me using the skin calipers, 7 point method. We have the accumeasure calipers too but have since gotten a better one.

[pooklaroux]

Originally Posted by BuffedWildCat

Don't even pay attention to the Tanita scale, I've found it to be worthless as far as measuring your bodyfat goes. It ALWAYS measures me too high but when I put it on "athlete", then it measures me too low. It is always off AT LEAST 3% from what my husband measures me using the skin calipers, 7 point method. We have the accumeasure calipers too but have since gotten a better one.

That's what I think it is doing -- I think I am right between the normal and athletic settings.

I feel a lot better -- thanks everyone for your replies.

[SumthinOrNuthin]

Agree with BWC - Tanita are notoriously inaccurate. Thing with calipers is that if you're measuring yourself, its going to be a bit off until you get into the swing of doing it regularly, in exactly the same place in exactly the same way.

I would suggest that you decide on one method, maybe the calipers, and stick with that method. Then, don't concern yourself too much with what the actual number is, just record it as something to measure your progress against.

The most encouraging and rewarding ways to check your progress are to take measurements and rely on your own judgement of what you see in the mirror and how your clothes fit.

Whatever you do ....... don't rely *only* on the scales if you are lifting hard and heavy, for that is the road to insanity

[pooklaroux]

Originally Posted by SumthinOrNuthin

Whatever you do ....... don't rely *only* on the scales if you are lifting hard and heavy, for that is the road to insanity

Oh so true!

[BuffedWildCat]

Originally Posted by SumthinOrNuthin

...

I would suggest that you decide on one method, maybe the calipers, and stick with that method. Then, don't concern yourself too much with what the actual number is, just record it as something to measure your progress against.

The most encouraging and rewarding ways to check your progress are to take measurements and rely on your own judgement of what you see in the mirror and how your clothes fit.

EXACTLY!

Whatever you do ....... don't rely *only* on the scales if you are lifting hard and heavy, for that is the road to insanity

LOL, isn't that the truth!!