how accurate is accurate?

kindrabbit
kindrabbit Posts: 837 Member
edited November 15 in Health and Weight Loss
So, I've been wanting to use the body fat scale at the gym for some time but have been too scared. I want to wait until I'm out of the overweight and into the normal weight range. I have been told that these machines are notoriously inaccurate.

My question is, if I use the same machine say once every 3 months, will it give me an accurate picture of my loss? Even if its 'wrong', will it be the same amount of'wrong', every time?

Replies

  • maxit
    maxit Posts: 880 Member
    Karen_libert wrote: »
    So, I've been wanting to use the body fat scale at the gym for some time but have been too scared. I want to wait until I'm out of the overweight and into the normal weight range. I have been told that these machines are notoriously inaccurate.

    My question is, if I use the same machine say once every 3 months, will it give me an accurate picture of my loss? Even if its 'wrong', will it be the same amount of'wrong', every time?

    No, it may well not - if it measures using bioelectrical impedance, especially (which fluctuates tremendously due to water content).

  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    edited March 2015
    It really does depend on how it's measuring. I have a "body fat" scale at home which shows an increase in my body fat % when I drink a large glass of water. Yes, I've actually tested it doing that several times just to be convince myself it's worthless. :lol: It's just not accurate and it won't every be accurate.

    If it's using another method with a little more reliability then using it on a regular basis will still show progress even if the numbers aren't entirely accurate. It's like buying a new scale and it now shows you weighing two pounds more than your old scale. It'll still show progress when comparing its own results against each other.
  • NYBalbowa
    NYBalbowa Posts: 34 Member
    What SueInAz said: "It'll still show progress when comparing its own results against each other."

    If that's of value you to you, then give it a try. And I'd suggest not waiting wait until you are out of the overweight range...you'll miss out on seeing your BF% plummet :wink:
  • kindrabbit
    kindrabbit Posts: 837 Member
    I think I'll give it a go then. I don't mind if it's not 'accurate' as long as the losses and gains are. At the moment I'm just guessing and it cant be less accurate than that!

    I've spent 2 years getting out of the 'obese' category. I am so close to 'normal'!!!

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