Does it Work?Unsure if the latest product or service lives up to it's claims? From popular products to the latest scams, discuss it here before you buy!
Yesterday I purchased a Taylor Handheld Body Fat Analyzer which measures your body fat % in just a few seconds. You have to program in your weight, height, age, and sex, then you press your thumbs on two contact plates. The device uses BIA technology (bioelectrical impedance analysis) to send a signal through your body to determine fat percentage. It was only $15 at Target ... Anyone ever heard of this, know if it's accurate?
I think they used that thing on me when I signed up at Curves. I still can't grasp how it measured my body fat pecentage by me just holding it. Ahhh, technology! Anyway, mine was 30%, eek! I hope it decreases by my next measurement session 11/18/05.
Anyway, to answer your question.... if Curves uses it, it MUST be accurate!!! :-)
I think they used that thing on me when I signed up at Curves. I still can't grasp how it measured my body fat pecentage by me just holding it. Ahhh, technology! Anyway, mine was 30%, eek! I hope it decreases by my next measurement session 11/18/05.
Anyway, to answer your question.... if Curves uses it, it MUST be accurate!!! :-)
~jess~
I would hope that your Curves has a better bodyfat analyzer than one that sells for $15.00.
Bioelectrical impedance can have a huge margin of error, especially if you're extremely fat or extremely lean. In one study, world-class female distance runners were found to average 20 percent body fat, when more reliable methods actually show that they were closer to 10 percent. Dehydration also can skew the results wildly; the signal slows down, and you appear to have more fat than you really do. Don't drink alcohol or caffeine for at least 24 hours before the test because they can lead to dehydration.
I think there can be a lot of variations in quality within the same brand, depending on style, etc. I know that the various models of Tanita body fat scales vary widely. Some are supposed to be great, while others get consistently bad reviews.
Consumer Reports reported on the body fat scales last year, though I don't think they've reported on the hand held models. They rated Taylor better than Tanita for body fat analysis, and poor on weight, and rated Tanita more accurate on weight. This was just for specific models of the body fat / weight scale.
None ranked well, though, and even the top rated Taylor was just in the "good" category, as none reached the Very Good or Excellent ranking that defines a better product.
I don't think Curves is supposed to use the same Taylor body fat analyzers that can be purchased at Amazon or Target. Perhaps the owner was trying to save some money on equipment. The Curves owners/employees have limited training (literally anyone can open a curves) and may not have known the difference. Curves claims to use professional quality equipment made by futrex.
Fitness centers and doctors offices usually use a completely different grade of machine for this purpose that is very expensive, very accurate, and not generally availble to the public. Even Tanita makes another line of machines for the industry than what we can buy.
Thank you, Mrs. Jim and Suzanne, for the useful information. Truthfully, it was an impulse buy and I was skeptical so I kept the packaging and receipt. And I do hope it is WRONG regarding my %! Jess, you may want to print out that article and show it to your Curves.
I have a little Taylor handheld. It just seems to go up or down depending on my weight. I don't think it's accurate. It's just for fun and something else to log into my Fitday PC.
Several years ago I did Curves briefly and they had a similiar device, a little bigger. I didn't think it was accurate either.
But for me, mine is just a toy that I enjoy playing with. If it goes down, I have something positive to report in my software ... I don't take it seriously but I like having it.
Curves uses the OMRON body fat monitors. I know this cus I was a Curves member for a short while and I owned the professional version of the one they had.
Anyway I think mine worked fairly well, but I sold it on ebay when I got my Tanita BC533 which I love.
handheld body fat analyzer
Jess, you may want to print out that article and show it to your Curves. 
