Are body fat % machines accurate?

MoniqueHoltman
MoniqueHoltman Posts: 44 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Are those body fat % measuring machines you use in the shop accurate? It measures height, weight, BMI and body fat.

Two months ago it said I was 26% body fat and now it's saying I'm 29.9%. Which doesn't make sense because my weight and BMI has gone down since then. Also, when I look at pictures of people who are 30% body fat I think I look quite a bit smaller so I'm a bit confused!

I'm 30 years old, 5 foot 4 inches and weigh 130 pounds.

Replies

  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    No.
  • StenSrm
    StenSrm Posts: 19 Member
    No, never trust those. One told me I have 2,3% bodyfat and that's just insane.. Maybe had like 10-12 or something :)
  • pander101
    pander101 Posts: 677 Member
    Nope, not accurate.
  • RHachicho
    RHachicho Posts: 1,115 Member
    It told me i have 16%

    I do not have as low as 16%

    For a tiny weeny little moment it made me happy and then i remember that those machines are full of it.
  • MoniqueHoltman
    MoniqueHoltman Posts: 44 Member
    Thanks, will stop wasting my money on them then!

    Any recommendations for the best way of measuring body fat? I know you can get callipers but apparently it's easy to use them incorrectly if you don't know what you're doing.
  • aethre
    aethre Posts: 150 Member
    In to find out because I intended using one of those monthly and I'm just due my second turn on it :huh:
  • DjinnMarie
    DjinnMarie Posts: 1,297 Member
    No. And they aren't even useful in tracking progress. So many factors are in play. Is it cold, are you hydrated, did you just work out? Calipers, while not very accurate, is useful in tracking progress assuming you measure the same way and same place every time.
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    Thanks, will stop wasting my money on them then!

    Any recommendations for the best way of measuring body fat? I know you can get callipers but apparently it's easy to use them incorrectly if you don't know what you're doing.
    I would get calipers or just go by your waist measurement. Calipers isn't rocket science.

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