Is it worth $50??

iwantniceabs
iwantniceabs Posts: 357 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
My gym does body fat testing (along with a bunch of other stuff - measurements, weight, etc) for $50 - considering that one of my goals for the next few months is to lose body fat along with weight, do you think it's worth it for me to have them do it now, and then again in a couple months?

She said they use a polar something or other that you step on and it sends waves through your body to test density....not sure if I would be leery of it's accuracy...

Opinions?!?!

Replies

  • sfoxy219
    sfoxy219 Posts: 103
    I'd do it. I mean it's only $50 and it's probably the most accurate measurements your going to get for the little amount. It would be nice to know roughly of where you stand.
  • lmd172
    lmd172 Posts: 172
    my gym has one that i hold onto with my hands, kinda like a game controller, key in some data (height, weight,age, etc) and it takes a second or three and it gives me my body fat %....they don't charge me - ever!?! i'm not sure what other stuff you're going to have done, but $50 to me, sounds a little pricey?

    hopefully you'll get some better/other options than just me?
  • aggiesrar05
    aggiesrar05 Posts: 335 Member
    Based on your description it sounds like they are using electrical impedance to measure body fat %. Pretty much a scale you stand on that sends electrical pulses through your body to measure the density of muscle compared to fat. If that is the case it is NOT worth $50. Those type of measurement are highly inaccurate +or - 5% at least depending on how hydrated you are.

    If you would like to go that route it would be easier to go to a big box store and purchase one of these scales, measure yourself the same time (ie morning right after you wake up when your total body water, TBW, is at it's lowest) and then look at progress. It may not be a completely accurate number, but typically they are consistent based on TBW. That way you can monitor percent body fat loss as progress than an absolute number.

    If you're going to pay for it, make sure it's an accurate measurement.

    My 2 cents :-) Good luck!
  • sktllmdrhmz
    sktllmdrhmz Posts: 1,799 Member
    I agree with aggies. Absolutely NOT worth $50. You can go buy one yourself at a sporting goods store for that price, or get a scale from a department store.
  • iwantniceabs
    iwantniceabs Posts: 357 Member
    Update! I went to my other gym tonight (yes, I belong to 2 - technically 3 gyms) and asked them if they did BF testing - and they do it for free! I did it right there - for FREE. Sure, it might not have been the most accurate test ever (it was the hand held one) but at least it gave me something to start with...and for free :) Thanks for the comments everyone!
  • aggiesrar05
    aggiesrar05 Posts: 335 Member
    Yay! Haha, technically I belong to 3 gyms too... our new one at work (LOVE IT) the one I swim at and a CrossFit gym.

    Good for you getting someone else to do it. With the hand held and scale BF% the best thing is to look at progress as time goes on!

    Good luck!
  • keepitcroosh
    keepitcroosh Posts: 301 Member
    Update! I went to my other gym tonight (yes, I belong to 2 - technically 3 gyms) and asked them if they did BF testing - and they do it for free! I did it right there - for FREE. Sure, it might not have been the most accurate test ever (it was the hand held one) but at least it gave me something to start with...and for free :) Thanks for the comments everyone!

    Well thats good! I was considering doing the same thing. Thanks for bringing it to my attention that i should do my research to possibly get it done for free! :)
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