Whats the most accurate fat tester tool?

RE: Whats the most accurate fat tester tool? (UCUKNOW)

Tue, 09 May 2006 15:28:46 GMT

From my experience with those scales it seems to be completely BS... We had a little dinner thing at the house of our quarterback with all of our lineman and he had one of those scales, so for fun we all weighed in and checked bodyfat one by one.

A few people were in the 20%s and 30%s, and the highest was 44% (a few of the guys in the 20s and 30s were WAY fatter than the guy who got the most who was fat but definatley not the one with the most, in fact he probably had more muscle than them too.) And i am a lineman too and i got 13.7% or 17.3%.. i cant really remember, weighin in at 210, with very little tone and a lot of fat, and our quarterback, weighing in at 185, who has a 6 pack and isnt ripped but he is definatley toned gets the exact same % as me, so i duno if it depends on the brand, but his sucked.

RE: Whats the most accurate fat tester tool? (chango)

Fri, 05 May 2006 22:01:25 GMT

I hate bumping a year old thread but I was contemplating getting a BF test done. Is the consensus still the same. Have there been any improvements with Bioelectric scales.
I live in houston and can't find any mobile hydrostatic testing units that you West Cost folk seem to have in abundance.

Any feedback is welcome.

Thanx in advance.

RE: Whats the most accurate fat tester tool? (SoCool)

Tue, 28 Jun 2005 09:12:12 GMT

I bought a hand held body fat analyzer once it was carp. All it did was ask me for my weight and height and age and then calculate my body fat from that when I completed the circuit by putting my thumbs on the pads, it gave the same result by using a pair of scissors to complete the circuit. I chucked it against the wall, it said I was 36% fat. Watch out for scams like that, if you do get scales, make sure the scales do measure fat and don't just do a calculation based on your weight, height and age.

RE: Whats the most accurate fat tester tool? (SoCool)

Tue, 28 Jun 2005 09:02:25 GMT

I bought some bio electrical scales because I thought they would be more accurate than a caliper. I thought that a caliper wouldn't be accurate because different people store fat in different places. e.g my top half is toned, but I have a great big fat ass, which is not toned.

RE: Whats the most accurate fat tester tool? (csulbaraneta80)

Mon, 16 May 2005 23:45:14 GMT

ok i have fat calipers but how hard do you press when checking fat locations? Depending how hard or light you press can effect how large or small your measurements are.

RE: Whats the most accurate fat tester tool? (Trick)

Wed, 11 May 2005 19:50:24 GMT

here ya go

http://www.bblex.de/en/calc/dw4folds.php

RE: Whats the most accurate fat tester tool? (csulbaraneta80)

Wed, 11 May 2005 16:58:04 GMT

i just bought fat calipers and i have no idea how to use them. does anyone have directions and the formulas for fat calipers?

RE: Whats the most accurate fat tester tool? (Pappy)

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 08:17:20 GMT

This is my take on it. I just copied and pasted from this thread

Actually, from what I've read, you don't want to weigh (rather BF wise) yourself in the morning due to being asleep w/o any real hydration.

I purchased the Tanita Body Fat scale Model 578. I originally ordered the Tanita 679 but later cancelled due to back order. Tanita's known (from what I've researched anyway) as one of the more accurate scales on the market. One thing I was specifically looking for was incraments in % and lbs. For instance, a lot of the scales I found under 50 dollars (retail) counted BF% in 1% increments. I wanted a scale that would offer more, and both of the above mentioned models counts BF in .1% Increments. I've seen some others offering .5% as well. Matter of preference really.

That particular scale does not mention the BF% increment but it sounds like probably 1%. If I were you, I'd type the model and maker into a search engine w/ "review" and check out what other people have said about it. I did that w/ my Tanita scale and am quite happy w/ it.
I always weigh myself when I get home after work. That way I'm always weighing myself hydrated, and away from anything that might raise my heartbeat (avoiding post workout readings).

I dont' know if your scale included specific instructions for measuring BF for women, but it's different than it is for men. In general though, You always want to weigh yourself in the afternoon, never in the morning. You'll always get skewed results.

Also, during the menstrul cycle, your results are always going to be pretty off, considering the water retention and other things I don't know about (in regards to the cycle). Also, I dont' know if you were already doing this, but you always want to measure your BF% with no clothes on. Clothes can also skew results. Take any jewelry off as well. Make sure to empty your bladder too. I know it's a lot to factor in, but remember it's done from an electrical signal shot through your body, so such factors can really play into it.

I've had my BF measured with a PT and with my scale, and both were pretty close to one another. So I know that at least MY scale is pretty accurate.

RE: Whats the most accurate fat tester tool? (MR.CLEAN)

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 05:28:51 GMT

in my case ive found the scales to be very consistent and helpful.
i bought a Tanita BF-681 and it works great.
but you need to measure yourself at roughly the same time every day.
your hydration level plays a big part and if you weighed yourself three times a day you would get three different readings
but they are all within a couple of % points. to get the the most accurate results, dont weigh yourself first thing in the morning.

RE: Whats the most accurate fat tester tool? (deyton)

Tue, 19 Apr 2005 21:39:46 GMT

My doctor had a electric thing for the thumbs, it said 49.8% . I may be fat but i'm not that fat. That would mean i have 140 lbs of lean mass. I'm 6'0" 280 and more muscular than the average person.

RE: Whats the most accurate fat tester tool? (Marc David)

Sat, 26 Mar 2005 17:20:53 GMT

Mr. Orange,

Can't agree more. Today I did one of those handheld units and it said I was 20% BF.

Bull!

Pinch test has been consistent at 15%. Those things are just +/- 5%. Total crap.

RE: Whats the most accurate fat tester tool? (Mr. Orange)

Fri, 25 Mar 2005 10:17:59 GMT

i too have purchased one of those electronic scale/BF analyzers. It has been VERY inconsistent. Varying sometimes 10% day to day. After reading the box more carefully it says they are accurate with people of average size who . DO NOT, have a lot of muscle. And as it was previously stated your water content from day to day effects the readings. I'd say just pay to get dunked once every couple months to get an accurate reading. Just my HO (humble Opinion)

RE: Whats the most accurate fat tester tool? (Naviator)

Mon, 21 Mar 2005 06:10:52 GMT

Actually what you really want in a bodyfat measurement method is not so much accuracy as consistency. The resistance method is subject to electrolyte changes from day to day, sweat, water content, etc. The calipers, though not the most accurate, are extremely consistent day-to-day and will give you an accurate indication of any changes in your body composition. You are seeking differences in your bodyfat, not specific readings. The calipers will detect losses and gains much better than electrical resistance, giving you a good idea of your actual progress.

RE: Whats the most accurate fat tester tool? (csulbaraneta80)

Sun, 20 Mar 2005 00:23:34 GMT

Its a bioelectrical scale. So fat it measured me at 16.2 percent bodyfat. I'm going to try my bodyfat again in the morning to see its accuracy.

RE: Whats the most accurate fat tester tool? (Blitzseth)

Sat, 19 Mar 2005 09:56:26 GMT

1. The most accurate would be a Cadaver analysis... but then you'd be dead.
2. Next is a DEXA (Dual energy Xray Analysis) or CAT scan.... obviously expensive.
3. Then is the Densitometry (dunk tank) but not practical home use
4. Skinfold measurements... Most accurate home usable
5. Bioelectric resistance... what you have in that scale.

Skinfold measurements can be very accurate if you minimize human error.