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I know that the technology used to measure body fat on scales relies on an electric current/pulse, but how accurate are they and does water/food in the stomach cause the scale to "pick it up" as fat since it's just an electric current?
I understand that your weight fluctuates a lot, but my body fat has been anywhere between 16.9-19.5% on my scale.
Last night I had my last personal training session and we measured body fat/weight to see my progress. I had 19.3% BF down from 21.1% when I started lifting 3 weeks ago. Then I get up this morning and it's 17.9%. Are there any recommendations on the best time to use this? Is it better in the morning when you're a bit dehydrated and have no food to get the most accurate reading?
NO. They are not accurate at all. In fact, most wont even give you a decent "ballpark" reading.
Best way to measure your body fat percentage is to have a water displacement test done. If you cant do that, then good old fashioned body fat calipers is the next best way. Problem is finding someone who knows how to use them.
Again, those scales are not really even in the ballpark of being accurate.
That method can be extremely off for measuring body fat because its so affected by your hydration level. I would combine that with a skinfold test and see what the avg is between the two.
It also has a little body fat guide at the bottom.
I would do the electrical version at the same time everyday and note if you worked out or were in any situation that could dehydrate you (altitude, heat, illness, etc)
It also has a little body fat guide at the bottom.
This is great and exactly what I was referring to. The OP's trainer should know how to do this if he's worth anything. I find that a lot of trainers out there dont know how to use body fat calipers.
Electronic bodyfat devices are probably less accurate than looking in a mirror and taking a guess.
Calipers are decent, but regardless of how practiced a person is, it depends on the person being tested as to whether or not the calipers are useful. Some people have fat that is easily seperated from the muscle tissue for measurment. But others have the soft loose skin, somewhat dense fat, and low muscle tone. Most obese people are like this. I don't care who you are, you are not going to get an accurate pinch when someone is built like that. With my clients, I rely on the good old tape measure for measuring waist, shoulders, arms, forearms, thighs, hips, and calves most of the time. Once a client starts getting relatively lean, we will then move to the calipers. But I refuse to pretend with fat people that calipers can be used accurately. Until tissue seperation can be clearly felt, it is just as much of a guessing game as the electronic devices.
My body fat % is very similar using the body fat calipers and the scales.
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