Digital scales that measure body fat %. Accurate?

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  • TallGlassOfQuirky
    TallGlassOfQuirky Posts: 282 Member
    There are three main affordable, popular ways to measure body fat - calipers, tape measure, and digital scales.

    None of them are completely accurate; however, they can be a good way to keep track of changes. Pick one - any one of the three - and use that same method for future body fat calculations to track progress.

    Side note: Don't pay attention to daily or weekly numbers as your body fat really isn't going to change much in that amount of time; however, if the number the scale (or the calipers, or the measurements) moves down over an extended period of time, you're doing well.
  • Mighty_Rabite
    Mighty_Rabite Posts: 581 Member
    I like the digital scales for weighing, but I find they definitely do not measure my body fat accurately - it's probably because virtually all of mine is located in the lower abdomen/back area. I have a pretty solid four-pack going now and mine still says I'm around 19% body fat >_>
  • sannsk
    sannsk Posts: 203 Member
    I just bought scales from Tanita, as they use that brand in the hospital as well. I figured, if doctors and dieticians go by the brand, there must be some accuraty there. You have to take care to measure in the same circumstances every time (hydration, time of day,...) And so far, I've found them accurate in trends, which is far more important than the actual number.

    I got mine at amazon for 70£, by the way...
  • LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo
    LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo Posts: 3,634 Member
    mine told me I was at 21% when I could see the veins on my lower abs...
    I also have the exact same situation.

    In our local pharmacy, there is a machine called the health kiosk wherein you will put a coin and the machine will measure your body weight, blood pressure, heart rate & body fat index using their built-in hand held device. Whenever I try using it, I always get 29%. I went there last Sunday and it said 31%!

    Wow I never thought that you can have visible abs, muscle definition on arms, thighs, legs, calves, back and see the veins on your arms, & legs at 31% body fat. :laugh: :laugh:
  • dave4d
    dave4d Posts: 1,155 Member
    I just bought scales from Tanita, as they use that brand in the hospital as well. I figured, if doctors and dieticians go by the brand, there must be some accuraty there. You have to take care to measure in the same circumstances every time (hydration, time of day,...) And so far, I've found them accurate in trends, which is far more important than the actual number.

    I got mine at amazon for 70£, by the way...

    Tanita scales are pretty good. They are a lot more accurate than the ones you find in your local stores. The gym I used to go to used one. When I was at my leanest, it had me at 6% body fat, but I told it I was 5'9", when I'm really 5' 8 1/2". My calipers had me at 10% body fat. I don't know if the half inch was the difference in the error, or not, but I wasn't ripped enough for 6%.
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