Training & Nutrition - Do those fat monitor scales work?

I keep seeing those fat monitor scales in the bike catalogs and am tempted to buy one. Anyone else have one or know if they work or not?

I missed the Cub Foods Pharmacy free 'body fat index' check today and am bummed. I wanted a control number for the year.

Yes, I am quite aware that sounds really anal.

They just had a piece on TV here the other day about measuring body fat. They compared calipers, the scales you mentioned and an electronic method that was supposed to be the most accurate.
The scales fell in between the readings of the other two methods. I have one of the Tanita scales and use it as a reference to see which way my bodyfat is going (and I'm not telling :D), rather than worrying too much about the actual number. At work in our weight room we have one of the more elaborate ones, with the "athlete" setting, and there is quite a difference using the two settings. It is consistant with my home version on the normal setting, though.

I also use my grocery stores free 'body fat index' check.I simply go into the store and walk around and the more females that check me out the lower my bodyfat.Of course it helps if you wear your biking shorts lol.

I have a Tanita, and it's good for establishing a baseline, so you can see trends developing. I've noticed fluctuations in the reading based on time of day, water balance, etc. So look at the trend rather than any individual number.

Originally posted by Poppaspoke
I have a Tanita, and it's good for establishing a baseline, so you can see trends developing. I've noticed fluctuations in the reading based on time of day, water balance, etc. So look at the trend rather than any individual number.

Yup - that's been my experience also. Use this type of device to set a baseline. Then, check your weight/body fat @ the same time each day. Monitor the fluctuations - not the actual number.

DOH!

Spexy, I tried to respond to your post, but I hit the wrong button- check this link out instead:

http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&postid=168961#post168961

Sorry,

Koffee

Thanks all. I will probably put off the scale buying thanks to your input.

RWTD, great post. You had me going for a second. Unfortunately that method doesn't work for me.

"So call the universities in your area..."
Koffee, fantastic idea. I've got the U of Minnesota here and will give them a call.

See ya!