Tiggs

anyone ever used bathroom scales that also record body fat? just wondering how acurate they are?

T

MATTeL

I have a set and I have no idea!

I just use it as a guide to see if my weight is going up without an increase in fat. Muscle is heavier than fat so if the percentage goes down but the weight stays the same or goes up it is more likely to be muscle increase.

Tiggs

yep- i did 10 years as a gym coach so im up on the theory- we use hi tech measuring gear back then to get very good fat % readings..i just wonder if some pads on your feet is just as good?

T

ozzy

There certainly accurate for telling you how fat your feet are

I've had my body fat measured recently as part of a fitness test. They took several caliper readings from different parts of my body, then worked out the percentage based on my height, age and weight.

Guess it depends on how accurate you want it.

If you've got love-handles and crease marks on your stomach, then sorry your fat

Stefan (no offense intended)

MATTeL

I would suggest it gives an approximate figure.

You do have to tell the scales your gender, build and height so it has basic setting to work out how long it should take the current it passes through you to get to the other plate.

Claudius

I think they will show your BF% within 1 or 2%.

RaZe-=Buzz=-

ha! At 6 foot and 18 stone I guess Id get a reading of "you are 100% fat, now get OFF!"

But Im not gargantuan like I'm guessing you are now imagining. My legs, arms fingers etc are not fat, and I dont wobble about all over the place or hang over my trousers by 4 inches. Ive got a 54 inch chest and play squash at least twice a week to a reasonably good club standard and I used to play for the county when I was younger.

So I dont pay any attention to any of those chart thingies. I KNOW Im "overweight" by about 3 stone, and my knees are starting to hurt at 30 years old. Read the charts and its nearer six stone Im supposed to be losing. I'd look ridiculous. And I reckon Id be dead

Still, you gotta die of something. I'll drown in bitter please landlord.....

ozzy

You've also got to account for muscle being heavier than fat, so you can easily weigh 18 stone at 6 foot and NOT be fat.

The scales might tell you "only one at a time" though

Stefan

Tiggs

errr, hello ppl. the point of bodyfat % is that you dont need to worry about fat/muscle weight.

if you are 35% fat you are FAT dont matter if your 5st or 20st.

T

Alpine

I have some of these scales.. Seemed to be pretty close to what the gymn said after arsing around for ages.. The reading on the scales said LARD..

Oh well, where's me chips?

ozzy

Of course if your 35% fat, then of course your a big lardy @ss with man breasts. All I meant is just coz your 18 stone don't mean your fat - just look at a Bodybuilder.

Stefan

jbryant

I have the £50 Tanita ones. They seem to increase the lard % as I get fatter, and then it decreases when I get physical with the treadmill for a few weeks. I have not measured them against a calliper reading but to give you a relative reading through a period of exercising I'd say they're ideal for showing you progress and giving that extra bit of motivation (especially if you don't lose weight - seeing the body fat drop is even more rewarding).


Joolz (xx%)