Body Weight Scales

Janine · 02-12-05, 11:00 AM

I know this has been dicussed before but does anyone have one of the scales that measures your body fat. I was wondering how accurate they really are. Are they worthwhile buying or just a waste of money?

willwolf · 02-12-05, 03:36 PM

I have a scale/body fat monitor. I've never been sure that the body fat is accurate. The other day I was at a sports store, and tried a Tanita model there (mine is not Tanita, but I don't remember the brand). My body fat was 3% less with the Tanita than my version. I'm believing the Tanita

. I tend to think that the scales w/body fat monitors are not extremely accurate. They are good for tracking progress, though. Even if the exact % mine gives me is not totally accurate, I at least know if I'm moving in the right direction. If anyone has a brand that is more accurate, I'd love to hear about it.

Gymmie · 02-12-05, 03:53 PM

I've known folks who have had Tanita's and have had their BF measured proffessionaly and they say it's off by about 7%. And if I remember right, Tanita's literature says the scales are off by 7-8%.

willwolf · 02-12-05, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gymmie

I've known folks who have had Tanita's and have had their BF measured proffessionaly and they say it's off by about 7%. And if I remember right, Tanita's literature says the scales are off by 7-8%.

Does it give you a reading that is 7-8% too high or too low? I'd love to hear that the reading was too high!

mimikz · 02-12-05, 07:20 PM

Last month's Prevention magazine had ratings for scales.

Prevention Scale Ratings

Within the brief article, there's a link (.pdf) to the actual page from the magazine. They rated accuracy compared to, among other things, hydrostatic weighing. I ordered a Homedics one based on this.

Mimi

Gymmie · 02-13-05, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willwolf

Does it give you a reading that is 7-8% too high or too low? I'd love to hear that the reading was too high!

Sorry 'bout that...on the high side

rubyspirit · 02-19-05, 12:26 PM

I have a Omron Body Fat Analyzer HBF-306. It is very accurate and has a lot of options. I bought mine off eBay cheap! I believe Amazon carries them (not sure about this particular model).

I never liked the calipers.

hannahsmom · 02-19-05, 12:42 PM

I have a Tanita scale. I just bought it several weeks ago and I think it is a little off too. It has water % and body fat. It was funny because I went to doctor last week and was sick and I weighed 3 pounds more at doctor's office than at home. I know one day I hardly ate any fat at all and the scale said otherwise. So I don't think it is all that accurate. If I had a choice to buy another scale I would still probably buy Tanita brand (heard it was good) but not with extra stuff on it.

Support VF
VF Membership Subscription
Shop These Vendors
Activa	Collage Video
Amazon.com	eBay.com
Amazon.ca (Canada)	Half.com
Amazon.co.uk (UK)	Junonia
Amazon.fr (France)	Onehanesplace.com
BN.com	Overstock.com
Buy.com	Road Runner Sports
CenturyFitness.com	Sierra Trading Post

02-12-05, 11:00 AM
Janine Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada	Body Weight Scales I know this has been dicussed before but does anyone have one of the scales that measures your body fat. I was wondering how accurate they really are. Are they worthwhile buying or just a waste of money?

02-12-05, 03:36 PM
willwolf Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cali	I have a scale/body fat monitor. I've never been sure that the body fat is accurate. The other day I was at a sports store, and tried a Tanita model there (mine is not Tanita, but I don't remember the brand). My body fat was 3% less with the Tanita than my version. I'm believing the Tanita . I tend to think that the scales w/body fat monitors are not extremely accurate. They are good for tracking progress, though. Even if the exact % mine gives me is not totally accurate, I at least know if I'm moving in the right direction. If anyone has a brand that is more accurate, I'd love to hear about it.

02-12-05, 03:53 PM
Gymmie Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas	I've known folks who have had Tanita's and have had their BF measured proffessionaly and they say it's off by about 7%. And if I remember right, Tanita's literature says the scales are off by 7-8%. __________________ “Think about Corey. Right at the finish line and his body gave up after one mile. You’re looking at yourself and if you have 100 plus pounds to lose, your body wants to be healthy.”--Bob Harper on Contestant Corey Pinkerton TBL10 DISCLOSURE: I had a professional relationship with a seller or producer of fitness videos or products. For details, please see my profile. Beachbody Coach

02-12-05, 07:20 PM
mimikz Join Date: Aug 2003	Last month's Prevention magazine had ratings for scales. Prevention Scale Ratings Within the brief article, there's a link (.pdf) to the actual page from the magazine. They rated accuracy compared to, among other things, hydrostatic weighing. I ordered a Homedics one based on this. Mimi

02-19-05, 12:26 PM
rubyspirit VF Supporter Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA	How about hand held... I have a Omron Body Fat Analyzer HBF-306. It is very accurate and has a lot of options. I bought mine off eBay cheap! I believe Amazon carries them (not sure about this particular model). I never liked the calipers. __________________

02-19-05, 12:42 PM
hannahsmom Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Shelby Township, MI	I have a Tanita scale. I just bought it several weeks ago and I think it is a little off too. It has water % and body fat. It was funny because I went to doctor last week and was sick and I weighed 3 pounds more at doctor's office than at home. I know one day I hardly ate any fat at all and the scale said otherwise. So I don't think it is all that accurate. If I had a choice to buy another scale I would still probably buy Tanita brand (heard it was good) but not with extra stuff on it.