Question concerning handheld body fat calculators?

J

Justin

Active member
Joined
May 14, 2008
Messages
1,088
Reaction score
0
Points
36
Okay so sometimes I get my body fat measured at the gym and they don't have calipers so we don't know what the most accurate body fat is at the gym. LA Fitness, a local gym has Omron body fat handheld calculators. If you want to know the exact handheld one I'm referring to it is this one.

http://www.amazon.com/Omron-Logic-Monitor-HBF-306C-Silver/dp/B00006WNPU

So tell me. How come people tell me I look like I'm 14-16 percent basing on photos online while this thing puts me at 5-7.5? Any reason for that?
 
The handheld BIAs (Bioelectric Impedance Analysis) have a con when it comes to accuracy. The accuracy is based on the proper hydration of the subject being measured. Over-hydrated individuals will have a lower body fat % and under-hydrated individuals will have a higher body fat %. Taking a measurement after a meal or moderate exercise will also render a lower fat %. The BIA machines measure the body’s resistance to an electrical current. The more fat you have, the more resistance the machine will detect. The skin fold is most accurate, unless, of course, the subject using BIA is properly hydrated. If the subject is properly hydrated or uses it at the correct time (not after exercising or eating), then BIA is fairly accurate. Though, I recommend the skin fold.

Best of luck and good health!
 
i know that calipers are the most accurate
so that is best

id say calipers are most accurate...
handheld not so much
 
Back
Top