Body Fat Testers

I

irishjoe

0
Hi,

I've done a bit of research to see how accurate body fat testers are and I have a question.
I'm aware that they count water and sodium (I think) as fat. But I have been doing weights for a while now, not anything too strenious but the scales say that I am about 25% fat! Don't get me wrong, I'm no Brad Pitt but I am far from being obese...
After finding a general body fat percentage category table, It says that healthy for blokes is 18-25% and over 25% is obese and the reading I got last nite said I was 24.5%.
Does doing weights throw the scales off by a large percentage or am i just fatter than I think I am...?

Age: 25
Weight: 10st 10.6 (150.6lbs)
Height: 5f 5' (165cm)
fat %: 24.5
Fat Tester:
 
Hi, generally the machines are quite accurate!

However, what you find with the 'DIY' ones is that they can sometimes give erroneous results, due to the way they are calibrated! If you have any doubts over the readings, then probably best if you book yourself in for a professional test! (should be available at your local gym.) That way you will find out if the machine is in fact accurate or not!

Hope that helps...

Rick
 
I've been looking about for someone with callipers, but cant find anyone.
I'll ask at the gym but I don't think they have any...

What gym do u go to? I go to JJB.
 
I go to David Lloyds, not too sure how much it costs, but they do do tests!

I'll probably enquire in a couple of months. I think im about 18-20% myself... just a guess mind! :cool:
 
irishjoe said:
I've been looking about for someone with callipers, but cant find anyone.
I'll ask at the gym but I don't think they have any...

What gym do u go to? I go to JJB.
Click to expand...
Call up your local university's athletic deparmtnet and ask them if they administer a Hydrostatic body composition test. It ranges from 20-50 dollars ans it's the most accurate test out there.
 
HI Joe - I have a Tanita bodyfat set of scales too and they are far from accurate. All they will really do is give you a good idea if your BF% is going up or down. Make sure you test yourself at the same time of day though.

In the instructions, it says not to test yourself within2 hrs of eating, or straight afetr you excercise or bathe as you will get a false reading. They also say that the optimum time to take a reading is early afternoon. That is because it will be lowest (similar to regular scales first thing in the morning).

Personally I take a reading first thing in the morning, straight after relieving myself. This will generally give ma a higher reading but, all I'm really measuring is progress, not accuracy.
 
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