How accurate are the Body Fat Scales.....

kmab1985
kmab1985 Posts: 295 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi Everyone

I've been measuring my bodyfat on those scales at the gym and over the last 2 weeks its increasing and today I did body fat and its increased by almost 10%....How accurate are they because surely this can't be right?!?! I work out every lunch time for approx 45 minutes and have just started doing some weight training but I'm feeling very disheartened at the minute.

I eat well, I drink 3-4 litres of water a day......

Before Xmas I was 11st 10lb, I'm now 11st 7lb but have lost approx 8-10 inches from hips, waist, bust and thighs!

Can anyone help me please.....

Thanks, Kel

Replies

  • samistarz
    samistarz Posts: 23 Member
    i've kinda got the same problem - my body fat percentage seems to go crazy. One day it will be 30% body fat and 30% muscle, the next day it will be 31% BF and 31%M and then it will go crazy like 38%BF and 20%M the very next day! Going on that basis, I don't think that they are that accurate - does anyone else know?
  • DeadsAndDoritos
    DeadsAndDoritos Posts: 267 Member
    I don't think they are very accurate but I thought they were at least good for tracking trends. Mine seem to be quite consistent so I track the trend without taking the actual number too seriously. But if they are jumping up and down like what you have experienced, it might be best not to bother and stick with tracking your measurements instead. If you have lost all those inches, it is highly unlikely you have gained 10% body fat!
  • isulo_kura
    isulo_kura Posts: 818 Member
    They're pretty inaccurate. The figure they give can change just on how full your bladder is. Use them as a trend guide if you wish but I wouldn't take the actual number serious
  • Robertus
    Robertus Posts: 558 Member
    edited April 2015
    They are not at all accurate. I've seen fluctuations of 15% BF from one day to the next. One of the reasons for the variation is dehydration after intense work-outs so you may get more consistency if you always weigh yourself after or before heavy work-outs, but I typically don't pay any attention to these scales. Personally, I only consider body fat percentage important in terms of appearance so if you don't like what you see in the mirror it's too high from that perspective.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Some can be accurate enough to plot a trend over time (but with a lot of fluctuations) if used same time of day under same conditions - first thing in the morning before eating or drinking for example.

    Some can be horrendously inaccurate all of the time.

    All are very badly affected by water/hydration variations

    Using one at the gym is just about the least likely way to give a consistent measurement.
  • MamaRiss
    MamaRiss Posts: 481 Member
    I have one at home that I only use to observe the trend. I always way first thing in the morning, naked, and with an empty bladder. Any variation could throw the reading way off
  • kmab1985
    kmab1985 Posts: 295 Member
    Yeah I've stopped using them now, I just measure my inches! It was really frustrating me and I kept feel really disheartened!
  • leggup
    leggup Posts: 2,942 Member
    Body fat scales are completely worthless. Even if you use it first thing in the morning, if it's the kind you step on, it will be impacted by the time of your last pedicure (foot callous levels change the reading), if you sweat in your sleep or used lotion before bed (moisture on your feet), whether you ate late at night or earlier the previous day, how much water you drank the previous evening, did you poop yet, when you last pooped, when you last exercised, etc etc.
  • rjmudlax13
    rjmudlax13 Posts: 900 Member
    edited April 2015
    Well, for what they actually do (measure the resistance of your body) they can be very accurate. It's just that there are so many variables that can change your resistance such as the amount of water and electrolytes in your body at any given time. A measurement after lunchtime can be very different than a measurement right after an intense workout.
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