Body Fat % on scale - accurate?

ChrissieP80

I just bought one of those 'body analysis scales' which is meant to tell me all sorts of things including % body fat. I'm kicking myself that I didn't do any 'before' pics I was definitely 'skinny fat' before (very sedentary, probably did about 30 minutes mild exercise a week if that), I estimated BF% to be about 30% even though my weight wasn't super high (I used my mum's body analysis scale overseas).

Now I have been on MFP for 2 months, have put in a bit of strength exercise as well as cardio, logging food, etc. Happy with results both on the scale and with 'inches'. However, according to my new machine, my BF is still about 30%. According to the tools on this website, it's ~24%. (http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/)

My question is - which is more accurate? the calculations where you measure bits with a tape measure and plug it in, or this fangle-dangle machine? 6% is quite a big difference so I'm keen to know if I wasted my money, LOL.

Thanks!

BusyRaeNOTBusty

The scales are not accurate. Mine tells me I'm 33%. I had calipers done by a trainer that said 19%. (I think I'm more like 23%)

Acg67

I just bought one of those 'body analysis scales' which is meant to tell me all sorts of things including % body fat. I'm kicking myself that I didn't do any 'before' pics I was definitely 'skinny fat' before (very sedentary, probably did about 30 minutes mild exercise a week if that), I estimated BF% to be about 30% even though my weight wasn't super high (I used my mum's body analysis scale overseas).

Now I have been on MFP for 2 months, have put in a bit of strength exercise as well as cardio, logging food, etc. Happy with results both on the scale and with 'inches'. However, according to my new machine, my BF is still about 30%. According to the tools on this website, it's ~24%. (http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/)

My question is - which is more accurate? the calculations where you measure bits with a tape measure and plug it in, or this fangle-dangle machine? 6% is quite a big difference so I'm keen to know if I wasted my money, LOL.

Thanks!

Neither is very accurate, I'd go more by the mirror then worry about various bf calculators and scales say

dr3w_s

It isn't very accurate
http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/how-a-body-fat-water-scale-works.html#b