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Accuracy of body fat percentage machines?

twixlepennie
twixlepennie Posts: 1,074 Member
edited February 9 in Health and Weight Loss
I was at the pharmacy picking up an rx for my kid and they had a new machine-the one that you sit down and put your arm in a cuff to take your blood pressure. But this one also did several other readings, including body fat percentage. It was free so I gave it a go-I had to enter my age, height, weight etc and then sitting down, put both of my hands on these two metal plates and stay there for about 5-10 seconds. It then printed out a receipt that says my body fat percentage is 18.75%

Has anyone else used this type of machine? Does anyone know if these machines give accurate (ish) readings? Thanks!

Replies

  • Ant_the_old_keith_lemon
    Ant_the_old_keith_lemon Posts: 272 Member
    i have one and have played about with it....

    i get an 8% variation between tests if i tense every muscle in my body!!

    also dehydration alters the figure as the test relies on the water to carry the electric around your body -- less water, less conductivity = greater BF%
  • twixlepennie
    twixlepennie Posts: 1,074 Member
    i have one and have played about with it....

    i get an 8% variation between tests if i tense every muscle in my body!!

    also dehydration alters the figure as the test relies on the water to carry the electric around your body -- less water, less conductivity = greater BF%


    It did give me a water percentage-I don't have the paper with me (I'm at the library right now), but I think I was actually in the negative for that number :huh:
  • Ant_the_old_keith_lemon
    Ant_the_old_keith_lemon Posts: 272 Member
    it`ll perform a calculation based on your total weight and the theoretical hydration you should have inside your body, after this i got totally bored in learning about it i kinda gave up...
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    I don't get more than a 2% variation from the $30 bathroom scale guesstimate.

    However, I am very consistent in eating and exercise habits, which probably has something to do with that.
  • twixlepennie
    twixlepennie Posts: 1,074 Member
    Ok, did some googling and these machines actually seem to be pretty accurate. Looks like I'm pretty dehydrated, at a -1.64, which makes sense since I have a horrible cold/cough right now. I'll try it again next time I go in, after I get over this cold, and see if the numbers change :)
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