How accurate?

[mtrx804]

I was wondering how accurate the scales that detect body fat percentage and weight is, I went and weighed myself and I was 174.8 lbs at 17% bf but then after the shower it was 174.4 lbs at 14% bf.

[GrokTheCube]

I was wondering how accurate the scales that detect body fat percentage and weight is, I went and weighed myself and I was 174.8 lbs at 17% bf but then after the shower it was 174.4 lbs at 14% bf.

Very inaccurate. At best.

They generally use conduction to determine bf%, and as a result are affected by a HUGE number of variables, including humidity, moisture/dryness of your feet, level of hydration, electrolyte balance, concentration of conductive vitamins in the blood, etc.

A "bod pod" or hydrostatic/immersion testing is the way to go.

Get one of those, and track your waist:hip ratio to get an idea of progress, or just check the mirror.

Caliper testing is more accurate than the scales, but not as accurate as the other testing methods mentioned.

I honestly think body fat testing is mostly academic. Most people want to look a certain way. Try your best to look that way. Everyone will look a little different at different BF levels, because of how we store fat, subcutaneous water retention, IM water retention, elasticity of skin, "loose" skin from major weight loss, etc.

[mtrx804]

Yea i figured :P i didnt think after 6 months not going to the gym my bf% would go would go down :P

[Dom_88]

I would say DEXA scans are still the number one way of measuring bodyfat, but they're probably impractical for most people. Like Grok says though, use your ideal composition and just base progress from that.