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traineo Community / Off-Topic & General Chat / Can someone recommend me a body fat analyser?
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Colin Barnes
Fitness Guru
Posts: 216
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 # Posted: 18 Feb 2008 19:10


Hi,

The title says it all really. I'm looking to get a decent but not hugely expensive (around £40 is what I want to spend) body fat analyser. I like the look of the omron one where you hold two handles etc.. but not sure if they are available in the UK.

Recommendations grateful! (I would like to avoid the body fat scales though as I already have a decent set of scales).

Thanks!!
Dave Nicholson
The Master
Posts: 2094
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 # Posted: 18 Feb 2008 19:12


None of these are particularly accurate - the real benefit comes in measuring the relative change.

I recommend getting a set of calipers (not the digital ones, that's a waste of money), and a tailor's tape. Take measurements weekly and determine body fat a couple of ways, and use that as a gauge. This will be a lot cheaper and more accurate.
Angie H
Fitness Guru
Posts: 718
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 # Posted: 18 Feb 2008 19:18 - Edited by: fauxvirgo


I agree. Tape measurements and body fat calipers, and there are plenty of online calculators to determine %BF. I use several calculators and derive an average from them.

I have a body fat scale made by Tanita, and it's pretty close - within 1-2% of the other measuring methods. However, I find that the tape measurements are more gratifying since I can measure smaller changes. The Tanita scale only calculates body fat in 0.5% increments! Furthermore, it reads high in the morning and low at night. Get out of the shower, dry off, and hop on the scale; expect to be 1% less than your dry measurement!
Chris H
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 81
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 # Posted: 18 Feb 2008 19:56


Calipers are cheaper and seem to be more accurate according to various forums/articles. I'm about to order my first set. I'm just worried that they're difficult to use in an effective manner (i.e. Is it easy to screw up the measurements?)
Dave Nicholson
The Master
Posts: 2094
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 # Posted: 18 Feb 2008 20:17


It takes some getting used to, but ultimately it is relatively simple.
Rob Montgomery
traineo Newbie
Posts: 9
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 # Posted: 18 Feb 2008 20:19


I have one of those Tanita (sp?) scales that give me a BF reading. Not sure if it is accurate or not but that is what I go off of. I figure if the trend is going down then I must be doing well.
THE NEW ME
The Master
Posts: 2856
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 # Posted: 18 Feb 2008 20:38


the bottomline is consistency. use the same set of "whatever you buy" the same time of day, by the same measurer, taken in the same measuring spots over and over again (monthly for example). so even if you dont get the most accurate piece of equipment it becomes the most accurate as possible.
Colin Barnes
Fitness Guru
Posts: 216
Post History
 # Posted: 18 Feb 2008 23:54


That all makes sense (in terms of referencing the same way each time). I'll have a look into the calipers - are there specific parts of the body that are used to give good indications? I'm currently thinking waist, thighs, upper-arms (where I have most of my fat) but is there a better method?
THE NEW ME
The Master
Posts: 2856
Post History
 # Posted: 19 Feb 2008 00:21


i have someone else do it on me. there are many differenet ways to do it and diff sites to take it from. i dont know how to measure it on yourself. when i have someone do it on me they measure from my waist, back, tricep and bicep. it may be diff for men and women and athletes and non-athletes. i believe that the calipers you buy will probably have instructions with it or you can google the info or maybe someone on here who does it themself can better explain it if you plan on doing it yourself. if you plan on having someone else do it, i would look into the diff varaitions.
Dave Nicholson
The Master
Posts: 2094
Post History
 # Posted: 19 Feb 2008 01:59


Quoting: ColinFB
but is there a better method?


Yes, you need to use sites that are indicative of your total body fat. Here is a link to a few different methods, though I would recommend the 3-fold Jackson -Pollack method as it is easiest to do on your own and considered very accurate.
Colin Barnes
Fitness Guru
Posts: 216
Post History
 # Posted: 19 Feb 2008 09:51


Thank you chaps! Dave, I shall have a read of that link today, thank you pal!
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