Body Fat Scales

[ChicaBella]

i'm looking for a scale that can provide me with an amost accurate % of body fat. Any suggestions?

[kait123]

i'm looking for a scale that can provide me with an amost accurate % of body fat. Any suggestions?

Don't use the electric ones. They're crap and give innaccurate readings. I'd try getting your hands on a caliper. It's the cheapest.

[BellaValerina]

I would just get a regular weight scale with none of the fancy BF %, BMI calculations, water weight etc.

The best body fat analyzer is a hand held model, Omron Healthcare HBF-306C Hand Held Body Fat Monitor. I ordered mine on Ebay for like 36$ with shipping.

If you use a scale for BF% you will be +5% more BF than reality. Enjoy!

[sahm22kids]

i'm looking for a scale that can provide me with an amost accurate % of body fat. Any suggestions?

I have a Taylor body fat/ body water scale and i also have the hand held Omrion body fat analyzer. Both of them give me about the same result each time. calipers are definitely to way to go but i find them hard to do on myself.

[birdiefu]

Yeah, none of them are particularly accurate. However, I do love gadgets and have one myself . It's the Tanita that also measures water%. That is a bit helpful, as BF% changes as hydration levels change, so it can help you estimate a little more. Or, at least understand part of how your BF% can change like 5% in a day, LOL.

[britchick884]

Agree with Birdiefu

I have a worthings that gives me cool graphs on my phone or laptop. Although I know it's not 100% accurate it always makes me do a little happy dance when the graph line goes down

As for hand held devices they're not accurate either but again good for a general guide.

Whichever you choose (unless you are a hardcore masochist) don't be using them everyday as you'll always get a different reading, quickest way to drive yourself insane lol.

[critterbug]

LMAO I received a new scale for Christmas. It shows BF%, H20%, and recommended calories based on goals. This morning: BF=45.6% (up from 36% last week) H20=35%. Recommended calories were a little high (especially if I were 45% BF), but not too bad.

I don't take it seriously. I'm sure I'm neither 30% nor 45%, closer to 20 - 25%.

There may be better models. The one I have claims to be a top pick by Doctor's Offices. Those Offices... smart structures.

I do like seeing the hydration levels, though 30some percent would be pretty dire. I do think the direction may be correct - as in I was less hydrated than the last time I stepped on the scale, but that's all.

Sorry no help finding an accurate BF scale. I don't think they're made yet.

[summertown74]

i'm looking for a scale that can provide me with an amost accurate % of body fat. Any suggestions?

I don't think you should try to find one that gives an accurate number, ha ha. I have a "taylor" and I don't really pin my hopes on the number, I just observe the trend....and the instructions say to do it at the same time of day, and try to have the same level hydration, and same level of fed (i.e., fasted, fully fed, etc.)....

Good luck!

[imperfectly_lou]

you won't find one Check out the sticky on Body Fat: What it is and how to measure it to see why they are so inaccurate.

[sahm22kids]

Yeah, none of them are particularly accurate. However, I do love gadgets and have one myself . It's the Tanita that also measures water%. That is a bit helpful, as BF% changes as hydration levels change, so it can help you estimate a little more. Or, at least understand part of how your BF% can change like 5% in a day, LOL.

Yes, definitely get the one with the water %.

Mine never really changes. Maybe like .5% from day to day. The main reason for getting inaccurate results are not doing it at the same time of the day, doing it with a full bladder or a comppletely empty bladder. Doing it when u first wake up or after a workout. Your feet are supposed to be damp when you do the tanita scale. But my calipers, along with my scale and handheld device all give me results within a 1% difference.

[Emma-Leigh]

Don't use the electric ones. They're crap and give innaccurate readings. I'd try getting your hands on a caliper. It's the cheapest.

Honestly - calipers can be even worse in the hands of those who don't know how to use them. Calipers are only accurate when used by someone who knows what they are doing.

The best body fat analyzer is a hand held model, Omron Healthcare HBF-306C Hand Held Body Fat Monitor. I ordered mine on Ebay for like 36$ with shipping.

Actually - in most females, hand held ones are LESS accurate - the electric current going through the path of least resistance - which is from one hand to the other (straight across the chest).

So if you are a typical female and hold your BF on hips / thighs - the reading will 'miss' this, and you'll get a much lower number than that which is true.

Yeah, none of them are particularly accurate. However, I do love gadgets and have one myself . It's the Tanita that also measures water%. That is a bit helpful, as BF% changes as hydration levels change, so it can help you estimate a little more. Or, at least understand part of how your BF% can change like 5% in a day, LOL.

Agree - if you MUST then I would probably go for a good set of Tanita scales - not too bad in terms of allowing something to TRACK your bodyfat changes over time... but you need to be consistent in terms of your time of measurement (same time of the day), and your diet / water intake overall (so you don't get massive swings in water weight etc).

you won't find one Check out the sticky on Body Fat: What it is and how to measure it to see why they are so inaccurate.

But at the end of the day: This is the best answer.

[squeaks77]

Actually - in most females, hand held ones are LESS accurate - the electric current going through the path of least resistance - which is from one hand to the other (straight across the chest).

So if you are a typical female and hold your BF on hips / thighs - the reading will 'miss' this, and you'll get a much lower number than that which is true.But at the end of the day: This is the best answer.

Interesting. I've used one of those at my gym and it always gives me a # between 6%-10%. The trainers are always saying "that's great!", when it's clearly total BS. Absolutely ridiculous. I've seen the thread with pics of different bf% and I would guess myself between 20-25%.