Scales with a bodyfat measuring function?
 

I have heard both good and bad on these. As I am trying to gain weight, but have it be primarily healthy, lean weight I am wondering if this would be a useful tool, and whether they will be accurate enough for this purpose. Does anyone have any suggestions on a model scale, or a digital caliper or something to that effect?

I have a Tanita bodyfat scale I got at Dick's. It was on sale for I think $29.99. It measures weight in 0.5lb increments but in whole numbers for bodyfat. So far I like it, bodyfat and weight keeps dropping. :) I don't care how accurate it is.

I have a Tanita. I see it as another tool for feedback. When I had my actual body fat % tested at a facility, it was quite a bit lower than the # on Tanita. As long as I weigh myself at the same time of day, I see it as a useful reference. I find it useful to have both numbers because sometimes when the weight # stays the same, the body fat % will go down.

Sandy

I am not all that worried about its accuracy, although it would be nice if it were fairly close. I think I just need it more to be consistent so I know which direction I am moving in.

Tanita is very consistent. If I were buying a new one now, I would get one that has an "athlete" button or a water % button in addition to body % and weight. I think they are two separate models though, so you would have to decide which is more important. This would be a toss-up for me. These are new models that weren't out a few years ago.

The nice thing with body fat is even when the scale numbers go up and down (depending on sodium, etc), the body fat % only changes a little bit.

Sandy

I have a Taylor. I would NOT recommend it. It flucuates like crazy and you need to step on it just right to get consistent body weight measurements.

Rather than use it to see how much bodyfat you have, since we know it's not that accurate, just use it to check and see how much bodyfat you're losing over time. That way you can see that you're still losing, though you won't know your bodyfat percentage. Then go to a gym and have your bodyfat measured by one of the personal trainers.

Koffee

My experience with body fat measuring scales, like the Tanita's is that it is very important to take measurements at the same time of the day. Because your hydration level varies throughout the day you should pick a time when you might be at about the same level of hydration when you make the measurement. As an example, in the morning you tend to be fairly dehydrated and the Tanita will show a significantly higher body fat than in the afternoon (at least mine does). I like to measure in the afternoon when I get home from work, but before I go out riding.

As Koffee recommends, a Tanita (especially the consumer grade) scale is best used to track changes over time, not to provide an absolute measurement.

Tried replacing the batteries?

Do you guys have an input on something like the FatTrack II digital caliper? Seems like it might be more effective.

:lol: it's be doing it since I bought it and had new batteries.

If you -are- trying to -gain- weight, then a bodyfat monitor is not really necessary. A regular scale will do.

IMHO, just increase the amount of time you're strength/resistance exercising and make sure that you get at least about a gram of protein/kg lean body mass daily. Good fats (fish oil, flaxseed oil) should be about 20% of your diet and the remainder after you've hit your protein and fat quotas is carbohydrate.

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I think it would provide a useful tool to understanding body composition, and the needs of my diet and training. I would use it to see that my weight was going up while my body fat is staying within a narrow range.

Keeping track of your body weight, and your waist size (measured at the level of your navel) would probably be a better approach for your situation. If you're trying to bulk up with muscle, you might also want to track the circumference of your chest, biceps, and quads. These measurements are fairly easy to take, and they're less subject to fluctuations than the body fat percentage provided by most scales.

Of course, if you're really compulsive you can track body weight, body fat, *and* your circumference measurements...that's what I do :D.

Not to hijack the thread, but does anyone know what stores carry body-fat calipers? I realize I could order from amazon or another online source, but there has to be some national chain stores that I can just bike to, and pick them up, right?