When people post their body fat..........

I work at a physical therapy clinic and they have a handheld device that you squeeze the handles with both hands and hold straight out in front of you. Not sure how accurate they are, but it works I guess. Lol.

I use a handheld monitor- the Omron Body Fat Loss Monitor.

I just hold it out in front of meand squeeze the two handles . I don't know how accurate it is but its gotten some pretty good reviews on Amazon and Walmart.

You are right tape measures don't lie, but if you have bigger muscles your #'s will be higher. The tape doesn't take that into consideration, so how can that be accurate??

I just use a handheld right now. One thing I read, is that the handheld may not give you an accurate reading, but it will give you a consistent reading if you keep the conditions the same(like morning when you first wake up). It works for me right now because I am not as much concerned with the number as I am with the number going down... Just my two cents.

Dustin

I read the following at Agc67's link http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/measuring-body-composition-part-1.html:

I should note that, to be accurate at all, a tape measure has to be used correctly. One issue is that any measurement you make must be made at the same place every time. Folks who do this for a living use very very specific methods of determining where to take measurements. But even small differences in where you take the measurement can give different results. It has to be consistent to be meaningful.

As well, it’s altogether too easy to pull the tape to a different tightness if you’re not careful. Dieters will tend to pull the tape measure a little tighter to get a lower value and folks seeking muscle gain may let it run a little bit loose. Some companies actually sell expensive little tape measures with built-in springs to ensure that the tension on the tape is identical every time.

Basically, circumference methods are good but only if you respect their limitations: you must measure at an identical place every time and you have to pull the tape to the same tension every time. These can be difficult to achieve sometimes. Unfortunately, it would take another article to address both in any useful detail.

And when I came back here, the very next post said this:

http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/home-body-fat-test-2774-143.html

I like this site I think very accurate cause you have to use a tape measure and tape measure dont lie:)

Sure the tape measure don't lie, but the tape measurer do!

Where are you guys getting that data? Is it an online calculator? The handheld machines? Calipers? Bodpod? I have used a handheld machine and it reads 18%... I thought it was wishful thinking until a personal trainer told me he thought 14-15%.. It was a male and I do wonder if he was trying to flatter me but I am just curious what everyone uses to track since I doubt everyone is using the most accurate way to measure it (dissecting cadever and removing fat)

http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/home-body-fat-test-2774-143.html

I like this site I think very accurate cause you have to use a tape measure and tape measure dont lie:)

I have looked at a few of these sites and the readings are all over the map. This one was the lowest for me. I have gone from 33-46% depending on the online calculator. I'd love to know which one was real!

bump

I own both a body fat scale and Omron handheld monitor and I trust both of them. Some people are against a body fat scale and Omron Handheld Monitor, they feel that these devices aren't accurate, which all devices aren't 100% accurate, the only thing that's said to be 100% accurate is an autopsy and no one will find out their true body fat percentage then.

Some people think that the body fat scale or Omron handheld aren't accurate, because they have read online or have been told that the Bod Pod, Dunk Test and Dexa Scan are accurate devices. These people probably have gotten tested on a body fat scale or used an Omron handheld body fat monitor and their body fat percentage number was different from the number they have gotten from a Bod Pod test, Dunk Test or Dexa Scan test.

A Dexa Scan Test will give you a higher body fat percentage than the scale, Omron monitor, Bod Pod and Dunk Test, because it includes the fat in your brain, bones and organs.

I will list the margin errors according to this site: http://www.shapefit.com/body-fat-testing.html

Dexa Scan +/- 2-3% margin error (Cost $100)

Hydrostatic Weighing/Dunk Test +/-2-3% margin error. Accuracy depends on the amount of air a person expel. If all the air isn't blown out, the test will not be as accurate.

Bioelectrical Impedance (Body fat scale or handheld monitor). I'm quoting them here: "This method CAN be accurate (4% margin of error) but the results are affected by hydration, food intake and skin temperature. If you're dehydrated, you're body fat percentage will read higher than it is."

According to this site, the Bod Pod Test has a +/- 3% margin error: http://www.humanhealthspecialists.com/bodpod-body-fat-testing/bod-pod-faqs/



A body fat scale measures the lower half of the body and an Omron handheld body fat monitor measures the top half of the body. Both devices can give a person the same reading and guess what's the person's total body fat percentage is: Answer: The body fat percentage both devices gave the person.

For example if both the body fat scale and Omron handheld monitor gives a person a 35% body fat reading. Then that person's total body fat percentage is 35%, why? Because, 35 + 35 = 70 and 70/2 = 35.

It's possible that both devices can give different readings, but it doesn't mean that one of the devices didn't give the total body's body fat percentage or came close to it.

Example: The scale can read 35% and the Omron handheld can read 33%. 35 + 33 = 68 and 68/2 = 34. 34% falls between 33% and 35%.

Some people are top heavy and bottom small and some people are top small and bottom heavy, whatever device they use to measure their smaller half, the reading will be lower than the other device. For example, a woman that's small at the top and bottom heavy can have a top reading of 25% and bottom reading of 35%. Total body percentage: 25 + 35 = 60 and 60 /2 = 30

I've said all that to say, just because a Bod Pod test, Dunk Test or Dexa Scan has your body fat percentage at 30% and a body fat scale or Omron handheld monitor had your body fat percentage at 35% it doesn't mean the body fat percentage scale or Omron handheld monitor isn't right or close to the body fat percentage reading. Keep in mind, A Bod Pod Test, Dunk Test and Dexa Scan also have a +/- margin error.

If you want to pay to get a Bod Pod Test, Dunk Test or Dexa Scan test go for it, but if I can suggest something to you, I would suggest, the day before your testing or on the same day if possible, get your body fat percentage tested on a body fat scale and Omron handheld body fat monitor and add the percentages up and divide it by two to see what your percentage comes out to be. Compare the total body fat percentage number to the other test's number to see if they are the same or close. If they are the same or close, I think you should save your money and just focus on using a body fat scale, Omron handheld body fat monitor or both. If you own both, you will come out cheaper than spending money for those other tests, unless you just want to continue spending money on those other tests.