digital body fat scale reading, compared to...

makir35 · Fri, February 3rd, 2006, 08:49 PM

I know most digital body fat scales tend to read higher in the mornings on an empty stomach. My question is for everyone, but am very curious about those who've attained the 8% body fat mark. How many % points is it above your average bf% estimate? To use me as an example, I average out 8.9% body fat. 11%-11.5% in the morning on the scale, 10.1% when estimated on the web via myotape, and 5.2% with the digital calipers (i think i'm using it right)

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eleonardo · Sat, February 4th, 2006, 08:48 AM

Interesting question.

I however use my Tanita just for reference. In the end the mirror will tell me if I reached my desired result, not a LCD screen with numbers.

dodus · Sat, February 4th, 2006, 10:05 AM

I wouldn't even average in the Tanita.

BZBee · Sat, February 4th, 2006, 02:07 PM

Use the Tanita only to monitor BF trend (increasing or decreasing, whats the % change over a week/month etc), and try to measure at the same time everyday. But do not take the numbers it gives as an absolute value.

IMHO, the calipers are more accurate - but you should know to use them properly to get consistent results. Search the forum.

But the end result is what you can or cannot see in the mirror. Take pictures of yourself at regular intervals, they are best indicator of which way your BF% is going, and how your look has changed.

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Happy Monster · Mon, February 6th, 2006, 10:55 AM

I just saw in a shop some digital scales which measure the amount of water and fat in your body. Is this the same kind of thing as you are discussing here? I take it that these kind of scales are not too accurate then?

dweller · Thu, February 9th, 2006, 01:22 PM

Yeah, it's the same thing. I too have a bf% scale and it reads higher by 1.5 to 2% in the morning.