Body fat analyzer squeezy thing personal trainers use..
amandakev88
Posts: 328 Member
OK. So i have a 'fit test' in 2 days, during which i know they will test my body composition with said electronic craziness. If my understanding is correct, it sends electronic pulses up your arm, around your waist area, and back again, or something similar [not the most eloquent way to put it but you get what im saying here]
So heres my issue, and questions, etc
If only goes arms-waist arms, correct? it leaves out the legs? if so.. here's what scares me. i'm ALL upper body. im talking like pure apple shape, obnoxiously large boobs and a belly. my legs and arms are solid, really. im aware of my body.. im working to change. but even at 125lbs im still shaped like that-boobs and belly. so im very scared that my % will be like 50 or something, even though upon a brief google-fu challenge of people who have 50% body fat i look nothing like that.
its a mandatory part of the test, but im afraid the trainer or whoever will not understand my concern, and im scared i'll get discouraged. also embarrassment plays a factor. am i correct in my way of thinking here? that it leaves out the legs? and the one you step on that measures would have the opposite problem.
any advice? input? corrections? suggestions? im the type who gets depressed with things easily and i don't want to fall off the gym wagon. i know the choice is mine. but isn't it true that these devices aren't very accurate? i know the water suspension is better. not sure about bod pods and have no idea how calipers work. any input would be helpful--and let me know about the legs!!
So heres my issue, and questions, etc
If only goes arms-waist arms, correct? it leaves out the legs? if so.. here's what scares me. i'm ALL upper body. im talking like pure apple shape, obnoxiously large boobs and a belly. my legs and arms are solid, really. im aware of my body.. im working to change. but even at 125lbs im still shaped like that-boobs and belly. so im very scared that my % will be like 50 or something, even though upon a brief google-fu challenge of people who have 50% body fat i look nothing like that.
its a mandatory part of the test, but im afraid the trainer or whoever will not understand my concern, and im scared i'll get discouraged. also embarrassment plays a factor. am i correct in my way of thinking here? that it leaves out the legs? and the one you step on that measures would have the opposite problem.
any advice? input? corrections? suggestions? im the type who gets depressed with things easily and i don't want to fall off the gym wagon. i know the choice is mine. but isn't it true that these devices aren't very accurate? i know the water suspension is better. not sure about bod pods and have no idea how calipers work. any input would be helpful--and let me know about the legs!!
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Replies
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The actual number doesn't matter much. What matters is that the number progressively goes down over time, and that you are increasingly happy with what you see in the mirror.0
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The test is pretty inaccurate, so you don't have to "own" the result. Just concentrate on scoring lower the next time you're tested. That will be an indication that you're moving in the right direction, improving your body composition by losing body fat & maintaining (or even increasing) lean body mass.0
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The test is pretty inaccurate, so you don't have to "own" the result. Just concentrate on scoring lower the next time you're tested. That will be an indication that you're moving in the right direction, improving your body composition by losing body fat & maintaining (or even increasing) lean body mass.
This!
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The device assesses body fat on a "whole body" basis, not just the upper body.
That being said, don't know what type of unit they will use, but the hand-held models are the least accurate, in my experience.
You won't be 50%.0 -
The device assesses body fat on a "whole body" basis, not just the upper body.
That being said, don't know what type of unit they will use, but the hand-held models are the least accurate, in my experience.
You won't be 50%.
the hand held models are what they will use. i think i just might be. i am literally ALL upper body. with a big flubby belly.
thank you all so much for the sound advice. i guess i shouldn't opt out then?0 -
Don't opt out. Take the test, eat at a deficit & exercise, then take the test again.0
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Do it anyways .. cause my 2nd test, I did amazing. Much better than the 1st. I was happy .. it is all about seeing the numbers go down or up as appropriate.0
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I have a handheld and another step on. The handheld for me reads a lower body fat than the step on by just a few . I have read somewhere that it is close and with me having two separate devices, I need to average the two numbers to get a more accurate total body fat percentage.
There is one you can buy that you step on and at the same time hold a connected handheld to get a more full body reading.
One more tip- before getting this electronic reading, be sure to: use the bathroom, don't drink a ton of liquid or eat.
The best time for these readings I feel are first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything and after using the bathroom. This is because it will pick up anything in your stomach. And since the more hydrated you are the lower your body fat will read, drink plenty of water the day before or I would say much earlier in the day so the water can get into your bloodstream beforehand.0 -
I have a handheld and another step on. The handheld for me reads a lower body fat than the step on by just a few . I have read somewhere that it is close and with me having two separate devices, I need to average the two numbers to get a more accurate total body fat percentage.
There is one you can buy that you step on and at the same time hold a connected handheld to get a more full body reading.
One more tip- before getting this electronic reading, be sure to: use the bathroom, don't drink a ton of liquid or eat.
The best time for these readings I feel are first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything and after using the bathroom. This is because it will pick up anything in your stomach. And since the more hydrated you are the lower your body fat will read, drink plenty of water the day before or I would say much earlier in the day so the water can get into your bloodstream beforehand.
Concur, hydrate a lot up until 2 hours before said test, then no food or water. The machine reads water in you, then extrapolated bf% (or so I have been told). I started at 224 pounds, 5'6", 49 years old. I was at 44%. I went down quickly with exercise and weight loss. Don't be embarrassed, no matter your number, believe me the trainer has seen worse - and is NOT judging you! You can do it. Knowledge is strength.0 -
You may be Overthinking this.0
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I've never had that done. Sounds like it would tickle.
Go for it!!0 -
I have a handheld and another step on. The handheld for me reads a lower body fat than the step on by just a few . I have read somewhere that it is close and with me having two separate devices, I need to average the two numbers to get a more accurate total body fat percentage.
There is one you can buy that you step on and at the same time hold a connected handheld to get a more full body reading.
One more tip- before getting this electronic reading, be sure to: use the bathroom, don't drink a ton of liquid or eat.
The best time for these readings I feel are first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything and after using the bathroom. This is because it will pick up anything in your stomach. And since the more hydrated you are the lower your body fat will read, drink plenty of water the day before or I would say much earlier in the day so the water can get into your bloodstream beforehand.
Concur, hydrate a lot up until 2 hours before said test, then no food or water. The machine reads water in you, then extrapolated bf% (or so I have been told). I started at 224 pounds, 5'6", 49 years old. I was at 44%. I went down quickly with exercise and weight loss. Don't be embarrassed, no matter your number, believe me the trainer has seen worse - and is NOT judging you! You can do it. Knowledge is strength.
thank you.. for telling me not to be embarrassed. i know there are bigger people than i by far, but still i feel so.. judged, lol.
HOWEVER-i thought the water would make the reading HIGHER, not lower..?0 -
I like playing with those things. I run it, record my weight, drink 32 ounces of water, do it again and watch my body fat go up by 3-5% (depending on how hydrated I was before). Even when I was super low body fat the day before my bodybuilding competition it said I had 22% body fat.
When I started out my body fat was 42% and now I'm a competitive female bodybuilder. Doesn't matter where you start or how long it takes, all that matters is to keep working at it day after day.0 -
I like playing with those things. I run it, record my weight, drink 32 ounces of water, do it again and watch my body fat go up by 3-5% (depending on how hydrated I was before). Even when I was super low body fat the day before my bodybuilding competition it said I had 22% body fat.
When I started out my body fat was 42% and now I'm a competitive female bodybuilder. Doesn't matter where you start or how long it takes, all that matters is to keep working at it day after day.
ok so the hydration level makes it go UP?0 -
initially i thought being overly hydrated makes it go up.. but i just read this, as well as some of the posts here..
http://www.self.com/fitness/2008/11/q-and-a-water-before-bodyfat-analysis0 -
Check this out: http://weightology.net/weightologyweekly/?page_id=218
BIA isn't particularly effective at evaluating body fat or changes in body fat over time.0 -
The actual number doesn't matter much. What matters is that the number progressively goes down over time, and that you are increasingly happy with what you see in the mirror.
Boom these things.When I started out my body fat was 42% and now I'm a competitive female bodybuilder. Doesn't matter where you start or how long it takes, all that matters is to keep working at it day after day.
/Thread.0 -
When it comes to measuring bodyfat, I prefer the military body fat method- all you need is a scale and tape measure.
http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/mbf/0 -
When it comes to measuring bodyfat, I prefer the military body fat method- all you need is a scale and tape measure.
http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/mbf/
snort.
they told me I was 20 lbs over weight when I was scoring over 300 on the army PT test... I never NOT maxed it out and maxing the Marine Corp test.
Their tape measure method is bullhockey.0 -
Yeah, I'm thinking it's *super* inaccurate for pear-shaped women in particular. I guess it might be a fair estimate though, if you just want to gauge general progress.When it comes to measuring bodyfat, I prefer the military body fat method- all you need is a scale and tape measure.
http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/mbf/
snort.
they told me I was 20 lbs over weight when I was scoring over 300 on the army PT test... I never NOT maxed it out and maxing the Marine Corp test.
Their tape measure method is bullhockey.0 -
When it comes to measuring bodyfat, I prefer the military body fat method- all you need is a scale and tape measure.
http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/mbf/
Looks like I'm 30% body fat....with abs :huh: Definitely accurate :laugh:0 -
The device assesses body fat on a "whole body" basis, not just the upper body.
That being said, don't know what type of unit they will use, but the hand-held models are the least accurate, in my experience.
You won't be 50%.
you were right. wasn't 50%. wasn't even 40. i was surprised. i guess we are our own worst critics. considering i was expecting 50, i was pleasantly surprised with my mid 30s result. thank you guys!! i will work on getting it into the 20s
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