Weighty Question - Regular scale vs. body fat scale

[Kuizelemartz]

These scales they sell in the stores that claim to tell you about your body fat have received fair to poor reviews in the past. It's been years since I've really researched them.

Has anyone used one of these and do they recommend one? The new year is upon us and I will be buying a scale to monitor my weight. I may get a real weight training center sort of thing to use to work out.

In the old days, I would just starve myself until I reached a body size I was happy with. But now that i'm older and smarter (hahah) I may actually build muscle mass and I don't want to be discouraged by lack of weight loss. But, I would enjoy the giddiness of seeing loss of body fat.

They sell these thing in the stores, low price range, medium, and high. Please someone shed some light on this for me.

I really love gadgets, but I really hate tossing away good money on something that doesn't work, or worse, gives me false information. I do understand the best way to measure body fat is to float in this huge tank thing (aint gonna happen) and also the "pinch" test. I'd like to avoid a gym to have someone pinch all my bits. I don't plan on joining one.

Thanks in advance for your kind replies.

[Martin Hyde]

If you're the ideal height/build that the scales were designed for then they work, if you're at the median level of bodyfat (meaning you aren't too overweight or too physically fit.)

The problem is after awhile when you are getting really built and your *real* bf% is down to like 8-9% but you weigh a good amount because of your muscle mass the scale loses all accuracy and can report figures up to 20% incorrect which is enormous.

[tremorviolet]

Yeah, they're not the most accurate things in the world but I still think they're useful. I rely on mine to give my relative body fat measurements. I know the reading on the scale may not be my exact bodyfat but I know if it starts to go up, I'm gaining fat and I need to do something. It's also great to see the numbers go down as I gain muscle. To make this more accurate, weigh yourself at the same time everyday so you're at approxiamtely the same hydration state.

[QuickSilver]

I'd like to re-emphasize the "hydration state" comment. My scale swings the BF% value by as much as 5 or 6 %. First thing in the morning, my BF% if much higher than in the afternoon.

Also, I work out min 2 hours per day, five days a week. Run, bike, swim, weight training.... the body fat that my scale shows me is way more... close to double than what it really is.

Like someone has already mentioned, the scale is useful to give relative BF% changes, not absolute values.

My $0.02.

Good luck with your new health routine. :)