How accurate: Body Fat Scales?

ruggaz · 03-29-2003, 04:07 PM

How accurate are the infra red body fat % scales. I read they were very accurate. Any experience?

Cheers

Monolith · 03-29-2003, 04:38 PM

You'd be best helped by using the search button up top... there have been 2 or 3 threads on this in just the past couple months!

But just to summarize - they're not accurate at all. The only truly accurate test of BF % is a 7 or 9 site caliper test.

The scale's only real benefit is tracking progress. i.e., you might get a reading of 20% BF from the scale (even if its not accurate), but any changes in that reading should remain consistent.

mda1125 · 03-29-2003, 05:49 PM

Second that..

I purchased one that got rave reviews on Amazon.. it consistently measured me at 32% bodyfat. But it was reading the poundages correctly.

Tried another hand-held unit.. said it was roughtly 16.1%.

Skin calipers measured me around 15%.

Needless to say.. I returned that scale. I'm sticking with the inaccuracy of the hand held unit but as Monolith points out.. it's an okay way to measure progress.

**Mudge** · 03-30-2003, 12:55 AM

Unfortunately they are not accurate, and they can vary from day to day at that.

Calipers or underwater test.

ruggaz · 03-30-2003, 03:37 AM

Sweet guys..Thanks for the replies

03-29-2003, 04:07 PM	#1
ruggaz Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 88	How accurate: Body Fat Scales? How accurate are the infra red body fat % scales. I read they were very accurate. Any experience? Cheers

03-30-2003, 12:55 AM	#4
Mudge Dieting I swear! Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Here Posts: 23,477 Photos: 1	Unfortunately they are not accurate, and they can vary from day to day at that. Calipers or underwater test. Kinesiology Comp Bench MaxCalc Motivation Bench form Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu

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03-29-2003, 04:38 PM	#2
Monolith OMGWTFBBQ Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: MA Posts: 4,002	You'd be best helped by using the search button up top... there have been 2 or 3 threads on this in just the past couple months! But just to summarize - they're not accurate at all. The only truly accurate test of BF % is a 7 or 9 site caliper test. The scale's only real benefit is tracking progress. i.e., you might get a reading of 20% BF from the scale (even if its not accurate), but any changes in that reading should remain consistent.

03-29-2003, 05:49 PM	#3
mda1125 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bay Area- CA Posts: 84	Second that.. I purchased one that got rave reviews on Amazon.. it consistently measured me at 32% bodyfat. But it was reading the poundages correctly. Tried another hand-held unit.. said it was roughtly 16.1%. Skin calipers measured me around 15%. Needless to say.. I returned that scale. I'm sticking with the inaccuracy of the hand held unit but as Monolith points out.. it's an okay way to measure progress.

03-30-2003, 03:37 AM	#5
ruggaz Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 88	Sweet guys..Thanks for the replies