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!

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 06-10-2006, 03:07 PM   #1  
I'm making a come back!
Thread Starter
 
TheComeBackGirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: New Mexico, but moving to Pittsburgh later this year!
Posts: 5

S/C/G: 290/290/140

Question Body fat scales

Does anyone have one of the scales that measures your weight and your body fat and (in some cases) hydration?

I really want to buy one and I have no clue what a good one is. So, if you have one, what are your thoughts on them? Is there a good brand/model? A brand I should stay away from?

Thanks!
TheComeBackGirl is offline  
Old 06-10-2006, 03:12 PM   #2  
Margaret1975
 
margaret1975109's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 35

S/C/G: 155/151/135

Default

Personally, I have always been skeptical of those. How would they know what your body fat percentage is? Someone should be along soon to give you more information.
margaret1975109 is offline  
Old 06-10-2006, 03:13 PM   #3  
Meg
Senior Member
 
Meg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 8,974

Default

ComeBackGirl! I had to answer your post because my daughter lives in Albuquerque and I live in Pittsburgh, so I feel kinda connected to you.

I have a Tanita body fat scale. The scale part is very accurate for weight. I think the body fat% feature reads high (about 6% according to calipers at my gym). But it's consistent so I use it to track changes over time, even though I don't think I'm quite as fat as it says.

If you get a body fat scale, you want to use it at the same time and under the same conditions every day (like after you work out and before you eat or something like that) because the readings will vary quite a bit depending on the time of day and your hydration. My instructions suggested late afternoon as an accurate time to measure.

Welcome to 3FC and when are you moving to Pittsburgh?

Margaret - the scale uses bioelectrical impedance. It sends a weak electric signal through the soles of your feet to determine your body composition. Hope that helps!
Meg is offline  
Old 06-10-2006, 05:06 PM   #4  
I'm making a come back!
Thread Starter
 
TheComeBackGirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: New Mexico, but moving to Pittsburgh later this year!
Posts: 5

S/C/G: 290/290/140

Default

Well hello there Meg and Margaret! Thank you for the welcome.

I'm moving to Pittsburgh sometime this winter but I don't have a date down yet.

Thank you so much for all the information Meg. I was looking into getting a Tanita, so yay. I'm not terribly worried about the accuracy of it at this point... just the consistency of it, so that's okay. I just want to be able to track it.

And I'd like to say that I read your story and looked at your pictures and wow... congratulations. That's amazing.
TheComeBackGirl is offline  
Old 06-10-2006, 05:51 PM   #5  
Senior Member
 
webweevil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Florida
Posts: 254

Height: 5'5"

Default scale

I've got one too, although I refuse to get on the scale until I lose some weight. It was pretty expensive for a scale, just short of $100 I believe.
webweevil is offline  
Old 06-10-2006, 07:47 PM   #6  
Margaret1975
 
margaret1975109's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 35

S/C/G: 155/151/135

Default

Thanks Meg. That does clear up the confusion for me, although I'll still stick with my featureless digital scale.
margaret1975109 is offline  
Old 06-10-2006, 08:53 PM   #7  
Mel
Senior Member
 
Mel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: West Chester, PA
Posts: 6,963

Default

I use a club model Tanita to measure clients' body fat at the gym. As Meg said, it's not accurate, but it is consistent. The biggest problem with the scale calculation is that the algorithm that it uses is an age based calculation, so that it uses a higher multiplier the older you are. If you are about 27-30 years old, the scale reading is usually very close to a 9 point caliper measure. For younger people, the scale gives a lower reading than the calipers. If you are older, the the scale skews the body fat number higher.

If you use it as another tool to watch the trend, it's fine Just make sure that you really are using it under the same conditions all the time. I can raise or lower the number by about 5% by having a bottle of water.

Mel
Mel is offline  
Closed Thread


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:13 AM.


We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.