Body fat testing? Should I get an "official" number?

teinepalagi

I've definitely jumped on the bandwagon that I want to get a a certain body fat percentage rather than a number on the scale.

So, I have a Tanita scale that gives me a BF%. I've been reading more and more how inaccurate these can be....

I found a local university that will do it. They offer multiple methods:

1) calipers $20
2) bodpod (kinda like the water dunk method) $40
3) Dexa scan $100 (the most accurate)

So...has anyone found it really useful to get an accurate measurement? Did it change what you were doing?

Which one should I do? Should I spring for the full scan?


If anyone's in the Milwaukee area and may be interested, here is the link:

http://www4.uwm.edu/chs/pahrl/services_descriptions.cfm

Thanks!

jamkat

I've been wanting to do the water dunk method. After some searching of the MFP message boards, I just came across posts on DEXA scan. I've never heard of this before. After a search online I learned more about it and I see that a local dignostic center offers it. I can't wait to call them Monday to find out how much it will cost or if my insurance will cover it. Even if I have to pay out of pocket it looks like its anywhere from $100-250. Which I still think would be worth it.

I hope to get it done ASAP. I'll post how much and what I my results are after it's done.