We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Body fat Scales (question?)

3foldchord
3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
edited January 12 in Fitness and Exercise
My bathroom scale only measures weight. I have taken measurements for ip online body fat calculator sites, but the calipers are more accurate, according to what I have read. (And according to logic. Logically it seems it would be a more precise measurement)

How accurate are those bathroom scales that measure body fat?

Second Question-
Does clothing matter for determining body fat on those scales?
Using my bathroom scale, solely for weight, I weigh in the morning in my skivvies. I wanted to try by dad's 'bathroom scale' that also does body fat, but obviously 'in my skivvies' is not a good option at my dad,s house. Do workout clothes yield the same body fat scale results as just skivvies. I would guess so, but just wanted to check.

Replies

  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Not terribly accurate. Mine varies by about 4% -- using the measurement method I'm at 25-26%. My scale says anything from 25%-29%

    I don't know about clothing but I do know that hydration makes a difference. If I use it before breakfast I get one reading (probably a more accurate one), and then if I use it again after breakfast it'll be at least a couple percentage points difference.
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    Where do calipers fit into the accuracy line-up ? Are they the best method? (My dad has calipers, too, that I could borrow)
  • TheChangingMan
    TheChangingMan Posts: 73 Member
    Calipers are very accurate *IF USED PROPERLY*.

    However, they are quite tricky to get right if you are taking your own skinfold measurements
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    Calipers are very accurate *IF USED PROPERLY*.

    However, they are quite tricky to get right if you are taking your own skinfold measurements
    Thanks

    I would Imagine they are difficult to use on oneself. I would have my husband take the caliper measurements.
  • sunsnstatheart
    sunsnstatheart Posts: 2,544 Member
    Calipers are the most accurate for the money you spend on them, about $5. The scales are horrendously inaccurate.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I trust the measurement method more than the body fat scale. Can't remember which site I used for the measurements but it's the one heybales put in his spreadsheet. I liked it because it used a lot of measurements. Calipers are best if you have someone who knows how to use them.
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    I tried 3 different online ones. With an average of 24%.
    None of then asked for my height. I would think that might matter to weight vs width inches for results. But I guess not.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories