Body fat %

Wombat468

I have one of those body fat % scales. I know they're not madly accurate, but they have to be in the right ballpark, yes? So far I've lost 32lb, which is over 1/7 of my bodyweight. I've also been lifting, and can see muscle. My fat % has apparently decreased only from 39% to 37%. Surely this can't be right?!

jemhh

I read some study recently that found an 8% error in either direction, meaning that you may be anywhere from 29-47%. I really would not rely on those things at all. My scale has had me at the same bf% from the day I got it, 2 years and many pounds ago, before I started lifting weights.

robininfl

I don't think they are accurate for everyone.

I use these:
Calipers
Online calculators (put in weight, height, measurements, it estimates)
AND
the bioimpedence device (like your scale but handheld)

and all of them, for me, are within 2% of each other so I feel that I have a reasonable estimate.

Also, it depends on how much you weigh. Fat as a % of weight is a relative measurement so if you, say, started at 237 and 39% bf, and lost 37 pounds and it was about half fat, half other stuff you would land right at that 37%. Even though, in that example, you would have lost over 18lb of fat. I don't think it's possible to lose only fat...

So I agree the device is most likely wrong, but remember that the bodyfat as a % is relative. You can lose fat, your body weight drops so then the fat % is calculating off a smaller mass.

quiksylver296

jemhh wrote: »

I read some study recently that found an 8% error in either direction, meaning that you may be anywhere from 29-47%. I really would not rely on those things at all. My scale has had me at the same bf% from the day I got it, 2 years and many pounds ago, before I started lifting weights.

Same. I don't even look at that number.

DanyellMcGinnis

I have lost about 25 pounds so far and went from 32.1% to 25.9%, according to my body fat scale. (I am starting to see muscle, as well, mostly in the upper body where I have always been smaller.) That is reasonably close to what the online calculators are giving me, and the trend is in the right direction. I don't think I would emphatically state that I had 25.9% body fat, but the trend makes me think the device is basically working for me.

mburgess458

My scale is worthless for bodyfat %. One time of day it always says 5%... like every day at that time it says 5%. I think that might be its minimum display. Other times of day it will vary from 17% to 20%. I had a BodPod measurement done (similar idea to water displacement in a dunk tank, but it is air displacement in a pod) that said 11%. Comparing to pictures of what various bodyfat percentages look like the 11% seems about right.

Asher_Ethan

My scale says I'm 30% body fat.

cecsav1

Hydration is a factor as well concerning the bioimpedence scales. Also, I know the CICO police are gonna come after me, but... if you're working out regularly, and eating at a calorie deficit, but you're not eating enough protein, your body will burn muscle. Enough protein is the difference between losing weight and losing fat.

hhazzouri

Those scales are not even close to accurate...

rollerjog

hydrostatic body fat test is the one you want to get, very accurate

MissusMoon

CiaraCatch wrote: »

I have one of those body fat % scales. I know they're not madly accurate, but they have to be in the right ballpark, yes? So far I've lost 32lb, which is over 1/7 of my bodyweight. I've also been lifting, and can see muscle. My fat % has apparently decreased only from 39% to 37%. Surely this can't be right?!

Body fat scales are basically using a simple algorithm. They have no idea what your body fat truly is. You'd have a more accurate result measuring neck/waist/hips and using a website.

cmtristani

My scale isn't too far off right now, but in the last three days it has measured my bf% at 11.4, 13.2, and 12.2. I am ultra ritualistic in my morning routine, weighing myself under the exact same conditions every time, and the BF varies a lot. Three weeks ago doing a caliper test I was 12.4%. BF% on a scale is a measuring tool that if you put faith in will disappoint you often.