What does everyone think of scales that measure your body fat, water, muscle mass etc. How accurate are they?

Question

Would you recommend buying one?

Answer 1

I'm probably oversimplifying but these scales work by sending very weak electrical impulses through your body and measuring resistance. Results are affected by whether or not you've just exercised or eaten or had something to drink, and of course whether you've voided your bladder or bowel or not (which explains why the previous respondent found discrepances before and after urinating), also I suspect if you have bloating before a period. I have an Omron hand-held body fat gauge as well as the multi scales you describe. At my gym they have an Omron hand-held. I haven't seen great discrepancies between the three. I think you can have reliable results if you consistently use the same device at the same time of day, preferably first thing in the morning just after weeing but before having anything to eat or drink. However, I see no point in taking measurements several times a day, not even once a week. To measure progress on an exercise or weight loss programme once a month should be enough.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I wouldnt believe any of the numbers except for the weight that it outputs. I have one, and I go on it several times a day, several times a day it tells me different numbers for my bodyfat. It even gives me a different body fat before I urinate and a different number after I urinate. They are a waste of money and are totally inaccurate. When I bought one, I think I would compare my before and after body fat % to see my progress, but I can't even do that since it gives out random body fat numbers. My trainer and pharmacist also said the scales are way off.

Answer 4

they are not accurate.
body fat percentage they measure is +/-5% and thats a lot.
its better to just as at the gym or nutritionist/dietitian to measure your body (once a month if you are trying to get in better shape)