Body Fat Analyzers

**JWP806** · 09-13-2012, 01:31 PM

How accurate are these? Seems like they are shit but it's the only method the trainers at my gym offer. I know a lot of variables can effect the reading but if you used it first thing in the morning, do you think you would get a very accurate reading?

http://www.amazon.com/Omron-HBF-306C...y+fat+analyzer

**SEOINAGE** · 09-13-2012, 01:33 PM

Talking the biolectric impedence models? They suck and are worthless and aren't any better of an indicator than a scale even is.

**< <Samson> >** · 09-13-2012, 01:47 PM

Ha ha, I just asked this in another post.

They really are garbage. Plus they will not show water weight as fat.

**JWP806** · 09-13-2012, 01:51 PM

Thanks for the confirmation gentlemen.

**S&S_ShovelHead** · 09-13-2012, 02:08 PM

I believe calipers are your best bet for a low cost method. I seem to remember there being some accurate type of calipers that cost around $200, anyone have an idea?

**JWP806** · 09-13-2012, 02:45 PM

Wow, that's really expensive and a waste of money in my opinion. Unless you are trained to use them, you wont get accurate and consistent readings.

**Atomini** · 09-13-2012, 02:53 PM

I have actually found those handheld ones to be not TOO inaccurate. I've had myself bodpod analyzed (best method you can use) and I then proceeded to use the handheld analyzers, and it was accurate to +/- about 2%. That's not that bad.

Plus, it's better than nothing. Even if you get a measurement that's inaccurate to 2% off from what you actually are, at least if you measure your bodyfat % from week to week, you SHOULD be able to see changes (be it positive or negative changes every week if you're getting fatter or leaner) and isn't that what counts? Being able to track changes from week to week? That's all i'm concerned about. If i'm really 15% bodyfat but the thing is telling me i'm 17%, and the reading from week to week is going down a %, then I am a happy guy.

The ones I really reccomend against are the ones on scales that you stand on. THOSE are inaccurate as all hell!! I was 15% once, and knew this for a fact - yet the bioelectric impedence testers on the scale was telling me I was 21%. I used the handheld one, and it told me I was about 16.8% or something. Stay away from the ones you stand on.

**MickeyKnox** · 09-13-2012, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by SEOINAGE

Talking the biolectric impedence models? They suck and are worthless and aren't any better of an indicator than a scale even is.

10000000% agree. one of these piece of shyt machines scored me at just under 30%bf..lmao! and the retard at the gym who does this for as living said it was accurate! hahaha

oh, at the time i was 200 fairly lean @ 6ft..i put up a photo at the time and was given anywhere from 15 - 18max

**Atomini** · 09-13-2012, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by MickeyKnox

10000000% agree. one of these piece of shyt machines scored me at just under 30%bf..lmao! and the retard at the gym who does this for as living said it was accurate! hahaha

oh, at the time i was 200 fairly lean @ 6ft..i put up a photo at the time and was given anywhere from 15 - 18max

You must've had a busted model or something... i've NEVER had the handheld ones give me a reading that was like 15% higher than what I really was... lol. Like I said in my previous post, max inaccuracy was about 2% off.

**S&S_ShovelHead** · 09-13-2012, 04:02 PM

Heard these calipers are good http://www.quickmedical.com/calipers...FUNrtgod9lUA0A

**MickeyKnox** · 09-13-2012, 04:05 PM

Atomini, yeah i guess it was, but i think what got me the most was the fact that this clown who was incharge of testing was convinced my bf% values were gospel. lol

**Atomini** · 09-13-2012, 04:12 PM

Maybe it was rigged.... lol.

**MickeyKnox** · 09-13-2012, 04:13 PM

haha

**Atomini** · 09-13-2012, 04:25 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if that really was the case.

I mean, how much money would some gyms make with a rigged bodyfat monitor when they tell ignorant, inexperienced, and unknowing members on their first fit-test session that their bodyfat % is like 52%?

**SEOINAGE** · 09-13-2012, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by Atomini

I have actually found those handheld ones to be not TOO inaccurate. I've had myself bodpod analyzed (best method you can use) and I then proceeded to use the handheld analyzers, and it was accurate to +/- about 2%. That's not that bad.

Plus, it's better than nothing. Even if you get a measurement that's inaccurate to 2% off from what you actually are, at least if you measure your bodyfat % from week to week, you SHOULD be able to see changes (be it positive or negative changes every week if you're getting fatter or leaner) and isn't that what counts? Being able to track changes from week to week? That's all i'm concerned about. If i'm really 15% bodyfat but the thing is telling me i'm 17%, and the reading from week to week is going down a %, then I am a happy guy.

The ones I really reccomend against are the ones on scales that you stand on. THOSE are inaccurate as all hell!! I was 15% once, and knew this for a fact - yet the bioelectric impedence testers on the scale was telling me I was 21%. I used the handheld one, and it told me I was about 16.8% or something. Stay away from the ones you stand on.

I used to think that at first. but it really doesn't do it accurately, sure you are losing weight you see the bf start to go down, gaining weight starts to go up, but it fails at accurately doing it and really letting you know the big picture, It could be coincidence that it was so close for you. go do some major change to your body and try it again. Mine will read total body water and it always read like 55%, all the sudden I made some changes and the thing was out of no where reading total body water at 45% and my bodyfat 8% higher, there's no way I gained 8% bodyfat in two weeks time either.

**SEOINAGE** · 09-13-2012, 04:39 PM

not to mention if you have it on non athletic setting it puts you 5% higher in bodyfat.

**evander87** · 09-13-2012, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by Atomini

I wouldn't be surprised if that really was the case.

I mean, how much money would some gyms make with a rigged bodyfat monitor when they tell ignorant, inexperienced, and unknowing members on their first fit-test session that their bodyfat % is like 52%?

Well I was with a trainer for a while. When I started he told me I was 28%. I set a goal to get to 8% (no timeframe) I kept making progress on the scale would weigh in twice a week and do bf testing once a month. I got down to what he said was 7%. I posted a pict on here and consensus was I was more in the 10% - 11% range. I think he kept giving me positive readings to keep me encouraged. So your idea isn't that far off.

**austinite** · 09-13-2012, 06:30 PM

Bod pod. Use it and you will throw your calipers away.

**< <Samson> >** · 09-13-2012, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by austinite

Bod pod. Use it and you will throw your calipers away.

What's the typical cost of that?

**austinite** · 09-13-2012, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by < <Samson> >

What's the typical of that?

what do you mean? error range? 2%

**Atomini** · 09-13-2012, 07:31 PM

Oh yeah, you know, i'm just totally ready to drop $50,000 on a bod pod machine and set it up in my home for bodyfat measurement once a week. Totally doable.

It really is the best method but most people don't have access.

**austinite** · 09-13-2012, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by Atomini

Oh yeah, you know, i'm just totally ready to drop $50,000 on a bod pod machine and set it up in my home for bodyfat measurement once a week. Totally doable.

It really is the best method but most people don't have access.

That was a silly post. Who suggested you buy one? They're in most major cities. All you have to do is check.

**< <Samson> >** · 09-13-2012, 07:51 PM

My bad, typed too fast

What is the typical cost of that?

Drrrr. . .

**MightyBeast** · 09-13-2012, 07:56 PM

They can be fairly accurate it but if ur dehydrated its goin read off.

**austinite** · 09-13-2012, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by < <Samson> >

My bad, typed too fast

What is the typical cost of that?

Drrrr. . .

Ive done it for as little as $30 and as much as $50. I do it 3 to 4 times a year.

**< <Samson> >** · 09-13-2012, 08:08 PM

Wow, way less than I thought. I might have to look into this.

**gixxerboy1** · 09-13-2012, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by S&S_ShovelHead

Heard these calipers are good http://www.quickmedical.com/calipers...FUNrtgod9lUA0A

Yes those are the good calipers. They are what we used

**JWP806** · 09-15-2012, 01:05 PM

Found a bod pod here in Vegas. I'm going to try to get it done this week.

**SEOINAGE** · 09-18-2012, 10:49 AM

hmm found a bod pod a couple hours a way, going to be near it friday so made an appointment. 45 bucks one time, 60 bucks two times. 100 bucks for four uses. So either the two times or the four times, I want to get a reading now before I start my cycle, and then post cycle. So I get an accurate reading of how much LBM I gain, and where my bodyfat is at. Sick of thinking oh it's somewhere around 20%, it sucks too because when I lost a lot of weight I felt fatter. So after I do some cutting I want to go again so I know if I did it right or I just lost muscle, sounds like the four uses would be worth it, just think my wife will call me crazy for dumping 100 bucks on this.

**austinite** · 09-18-2012, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by SEOINAGE

hmm found a bod pod a couple hours a way, going to be near it friday so made an appointment. 45 bucks one time, 60 bucks two times. 100 bucks for four uses. So either the two times or the four times, I want to get a reading now before I start my cycle, and then post cycle. So I get an accurate reading of how much LBM I gain, and where my bodyfat is at. Sick of thinking oh it's somewhere around 20%, it sucks too because when I lost a lot of weight I felt fatter. So after I do some cutting I want to go again so I know if I did it right or I just lost muscle, sounds like the four uses would be worth it, just think my wife will call me crazy for dumping 100 bucks on this.

Awesome. Keep us posted!