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| Training Learn proper form, techniques, & routines. Post questions about weight training as it relates to muscle building.
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#1 |
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WannaBeBigger
Join Date: May 2002
Location: a suburban bubble
Posts: 51
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Body Fat by Bioelectrical Impedence
I was thinking of buying one of those scales that shoot electric pulses through your body and give an approximate body fat % based on the fat/muscle they encounter.
I know they aren't very accurate, but if I did it on a weekly basis, I could still track at least an approximate direction of my body fat number, right? So even if the # is a little off, seeing it go down would be a good thing ![]() A good investment? Anyone have one? What kinds of things affect the reading? |
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#2 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: LA, CA
Posts: 5,635
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hydration is a HUGE factor! i have one and don't rely on the number but use it like you said to track progress (see the number going down)
i use it the same time of day always. if you are dehydrated even a little the reading will be higher. they are notoriously inaccurate and i doubt i'd buy it again. but since i have it....i use it once or twice a week at the same time of day to see the number dropping. |
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If you want to achieve things that others can't...
You have to do things that others won't. |
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#3 |
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Peak Physiques™
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: NY
Posts: 7,870
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same as Nike; its fun more than valuable. But mine (tanita) is at least consistent.
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#4 |
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Training Trainer
Elite Member
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You can also alter the number it gives you by holding your arms out straight and then holding it closer to your body...usually affects the number by 2-3%. Generally those machines are off by about 5% either way, but like has been said previously, if you measure yourself at the same time (I'd recommend 1st thing in the morning before you drink anything) it should provide a reasonably accurate tracking measure.
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#5 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: LA, CA
Posts: 5,635
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i could be wrong....but i think they tend to be more consistent for men. maybe women's fluid levels fluctuate more? not sure. i know several people with the tanita i have and all the men see more consistent readings than the women.
hardly scientific - just an observation |
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If you want to achieve things that others can't...
You have to do things that others won't. |
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#6 |
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WannaBeBigger
Join Date: May 2002
Location: a suburban bubble
Posts: 51
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what constitutes an "extremely fit adult"?
Should I go for the Tanita with one adult mode, or the one for both regular and athelete mode? At 17, am I a child or an adult? |
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#7 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: LA, CA
Posts: 5,635
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tanita defines athlete based on aerobic conditioning. i can check and let you know tomorrow (but i bet someone else will know right away)
i do know if i chose adult instead of athlete i get a higher reading. (so of course i choose athlete lol) |
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If you want to achieve things that others can't...
You have to do things that others won't. |
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#8 |
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Junior Member
Elite Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Toronto
Posts: 44
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You can test at different levels every couple of days. There are so many factors that influence those readings. I've learned not to put a whole lot of faith in the electrical testers.
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Are you going to eat that?....
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#9 |
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Gym ratt/Part-time pimp
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I'm not sure of the manufacture but there are some scales that can be calibrated to known settings. That way you can get test with calipers and at least be able to track your progress more accurately. Scales made by Tanita and other companies are notorious for being inaccurate.
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Dumbest statement made in the Anabolic Zone for Nov
TBD ----------------------------------------------------- What you talking about Willis ? |
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#10 |
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WannaBeBigger
Join Date: May 2002
Location: a suburban bubble
Posts: 51
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what do you mean by "known settings"?
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#11 |
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Gym ratt/Part-time pimp
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your bf% done by caliper readings or another method (hydrostatic etc).
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Dumbest statement made in the Anabolic Zone for Nov
TBD ----------------------------------------------------- What you talking about Willis ? |
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#12 |
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WannaBeBigger
Join Date: May 2002
Location: a suburban bubble
Posts: 51
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Well I just ordered the Tanita scale from Amazon...regular adult and athlete mode. Thanks for everyone's input!
I hope to use it just to have SOME sort of regular tracking. |
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#13 |
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Rebel without a clue
Elite Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NM
Posts: 1,115
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I have one (Tanita), and I like it. As others have said, it's not that accurate, but it is consisent (It's a toy, and yes, it's fun to play around with
). I find it does measure wieght accurately.On the other hand.....calipers are only accurate if you or the person doing it does it properly. The water tank is the way to go, at least to get a baseline (It ain't cheap around these parts). |
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#14 |
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Designer Supplements
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Newcastle
Posts: 5,141
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Those scales are awful.
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Being held down by The Man
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#15 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Dover, DE
Posts: 138
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Quote:
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Bodybuilding isn't everything, it's just that being small, weak, and puny REALLY sucks!!
Speed Skater - Last Lap, Tight Pack, Absolutely, Positively, Most Definitely Without a Doubt, NO FEAR (not even a little bit). |
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#16 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: LA, CA
Posts: 5,635
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very true about the calipers. i didn't realize until i moved that it isn't easy to get that done right either. the guy at my lame gym told me i was 26%. there is no way on this earth i'm even as high as 20%. seriously. so that can be way off too if they don't know what they are doing.
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If you want to achieve things that others can't...
You have to do things that others won't. |
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#17 |
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Pizza the Hut
Super Moderator
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I thought I remembered these as not being accurate, due to various body impedances etc
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Kinesiology Vote @ Top 25 Deads Comp Bench
Motivation Bench form MaxCalc Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu I don't know any sources so don't ask - thanks |
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