body fat scale

The bioelectrical impedence analysis machines, as the article noted, can be highly inacurate. 'If someone is bloated or dehydrated, results will be off - often as much as 3 percent.'

Being off 3% is huge. For someone weighing 150 lbs that means you could be carrying 4.5 lbs more fat and 4.5 lbs less muscle. One percentage of body weight can on a B.I.A. can fluctuate, even if you take the reading at the same time of day, everyday.

Also, B.I.A models you step on, tend be more reflective more of lower extremities body fat levels while hand held models measure upper body fat percentages more.

If one is lean in the lower body and steps on one of the scale models, it will reflect a lower body fat percentage. If carries larger fat stores in the lower extremities, one will show a much higher body fat percentage. These reading will not give one the total body fat percentage.

Measurements with the B.I.A. must be taken when one is well hydrated, as the article stiuplates. You cannot have worked out with a certain period of time. There is some other criteria you must observe as well.

A good technician can give you a more accurate reading. The B.I.A will give you a ball park figure.

One of the simplest method is a mirror. Mirrors never lie. If you look fat...you are fat. A tape measure will also give you and idea of how you are doing.

Kenny Croxdale

Unfortunately, even the mirror can lie. Some people who are fat can look at themselves and think,'Damn. I look good.' Some people who are in great shape look at themselves and think,'Damn. I look like shit.'

So.

Basically.

No matter what you do, you're screwed.

Watson (the pencil neck) Davis

An improvement on the 'mirror' idea would be photos, taken in exactly the same poses and exactly the same lighting. It's still not perfect, but it's an improvement over the mirror.

BTW, the biggest problem with the mirror is that one 'adapts' to their changing appearance. You really need to be able to make comparisons (either via measurements or photos)

I find that if you take pictures and let the ladies see them, you will get a good idea of where you are. If they say 'oh my god let me see that again' and they continue to talk about it a few days later, you are doing all right I personnally have a tendency to be in watson's second group: I have a dysmorphic perception. Unfortunately, I'm afraid many people are afflicted by this these days and overly critical of their appearance that would be judged by most people as being excellent.

I would think that accuracy is not as important as reliability or repeatability. My bathroom scale may be off a few pounds but if it is reliable then I can guage my progress by it.

For weight, yes. For bodyfat percentage, mebbe not.

Watson (the pencil neck) Davis

In article

For instance BMI is very sensitive to your precise level of hydration. Thus, its not even consistant.