View Full Version : Is This Electronic Body Fat Scale Accurate?
cdnsir
11-20-2007, 11:20 AM
I want to buy an electornic weight/BF scale, and I saw this one at Superstore. It claims that it uses a non-invasive method as opposed to the usual electric current way using a BIA measurement.
But I thought BIA and Body Fat Calipers are the best ways to figure out your body fat %. Do you think this scale will give out pretty decent readings?
http://www.presidentschoice.ca/HouseAndHome/ProductDetails.aspx/id/19060/name/P%C3%A8sepersonne%C3%A9lectroniqueaveccalculdegraissecorporelle/catid/312/type/2
icecreamvan
11-20-2007, 11:25 AM
Go with the Tanitas.
It doesn't give enough information to really gage if it's going to work well or not. Most body fat scales use as mild electrical current to determine your BFI, so I don't even know how this one would work.
icecreamvan
11-21-2007, 09:08 AM
They use a mild current that goes from one foot to your abdomen area then down the other foot, then estimates the upper body fat % using the a formula designed for the "average" person. Some machines have different settings depending on your activity level.
It's not accurate, and simple things like drinking a lot of water immediately before weighing can affect the calc.
cdnsir
11-21-2007, 12:39 PM
Well, I went there last night to see if there're more details on the box. And it's just as vague as the url I posted. Then I saw another one beside it made by Conair and branded as Weight Watchers... That one saids it uses Bio-Impedence right one the box, so I thought that's close enough.
Now reading icecreamvan's 2nd post, I wonder if it's the a half body estimate or not. :(
I'm 6" and 171 lbs (BMI of 23), and it's giving me a rating of 21% BF. I'm personally shocked at how fat I am from that! But by numbers you guys think that's a reasonable reading? I know it's hard to say because lots of other factors are invovled... But since I am on the top end on the "normal" BMI range, I guess this kinda makes sense.
www.conair.com/weight-watchers-electronic-body-hydration-scale-p-437.html - specs here are not that detailed neither
EDIT - fixed URL
icecreamvan
11-21-2007, 12:49 PM
It's just a form of comparison. As long as you're comparing measurements using the same scale, and not versus calipers etc, it should give you a rough idea of progress.
CLiVE
11-21-2007, 12:54 PM
Originally posted by icecreamvan
It's just a form of comparison. As long as you're comparing measurements using the same scale, and not versus calipers etc, it should give you a rough idea of progress.
Exactly. Don't take it as an accurate measure, but instead a measure to show progress. Measure yourself at the same time each day and not after you workout, or eat.
cdnsir
11-21-2007, 12:58 PM
Cool! Thx for all the advices man!
CLiVE
11-21-2007, 01:40 PM
As mentioned, go with a Tanita scale. Picked mine up at Fitness depot a few years ago.
broken_legs
11-21-2007, 01:44 PM
Originally posted by CLiVE
As mentioned, go with a Tanita scale.
:werd:
Exactly. Don't take it as an accurate measure, but instead a measure to show progress. Measure yourself at the same time each day and not after you workout, or eat.
:werd: X 2
icecreamvan
11-21-2007, 02:11 PM
It's cheaper to get a Tanita online btw. I bought mine at Fitness Depot, and found that I could've paid the same to get a slightly better model online. That was before Cdn$ got stronger.
cdnsir
11-21-2007, 02:19 PM
I wanted to cheap out on this one, that's why I had to go to Superstore... It's just so that I can use my points to redeem it. LOL
But yeah, the Weight Watcher one woulda cost me $60 anyways. At that price, I totally would have gone for a Tanitas if I had to pay cash. :)
Fitness Depot has scales in and around the $60 price point. I used to sell them.
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