How accurate are gym or store bought body fat scales that use BIA (bioelectric impedence)?
I am having a contest with a buddy for lowest bodyfat - could these be so inaccurate as to declare the incorrect winner?
Also how would you "game" one (so I can cheat a little). ie. I've heard they give different measurements when you are dehydrated vs. hydrated.
Basically random. I owned one for a few years and it would give me a somewhat different number if I stepped off and back on again. DXA scan is the only truly accurate measure AFAIK.
Thanks - will it measure lower bodyfat if I am hydrated or dehydrated?
I seem to recall that dehydrated was better. E.g. right after a sweaty workout I think my bodyfat would drop a few percent. I wish!
Accuracy varies according to the manufacturer. Omron makes one of the better ones. It's accuracy has been scientificly studied;
http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1249&context=ijes
I've found a mirror works pretty well.
Bring Back the 880 wrote:
I've found a mirror works pretty well.
Truth, an experienced eye could probably gauge someone's BF% by picture more accurately than those scales.
Interesting! I had a Tanita. (Mentioned in that paper as one of the less accurate ones.) Looks like Omron 500 is the way to go. Maybe I'll grab one soon. Been using YMCA method and I'm not at all convinced it's even remotely consistent.
Autopsy is the most accurate measure of body fat. I hear it hurts, though.
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