Wtf???

**midgetcop** · 13-Jul-06, 02:46 PM

So, I booked an appointment at my local YMCA to get my bodyfat% tested. The Y trainer pulls out this silver scale-thingie, and punches in my gender and age. He asks me step on it, it weighs me at 115lbs and 22.4% bodyfat. So, at this point I'm curious how the machine distinguishes between muscle weight and fat weight, and he has *no* freakin' clue. He starts babbling that "it's a very complex machine and calculates everything...blah blahblah", so I asked him what the device was called (so I could ask you guys), and he doesn't know either.

WTF?????

I remember last time I had it checked they used some kind of machine thingey-doo that sent some kind of signal into my arm + factored in my frame size. So, does this scale-thing sound like a bunch of b.s.?? As far as I could tell, it took into account my age, gender, and weight. Big whoop, that's pretty much like calculating my BMI.

To tell the truth, that calculation is probably fairly accurate. But I want to know how it got it, and if I go back in a few months and my weight is the same, will it give me the same reading??

:confused:

Maxgain · 13-Jul-06, 04:35 PM

Fat is anhydrous lbm is not it measures body water content as water conducts so works it out that way.
It assumes a skeletal fram from your height and sex and obviously water content is affected by hydration levels

**midgetcop** · 13-Jul-06, 05:52 PM

So that scale can somehow measure body water content?

**midgetcop** · 13-Jul-06, 05:55 PM

Actually, I answered my own question by doing a Google search.

This is the type of scale that was used.

I just wish that the trainer could have explained to me how it worked in the first place.

JDR3 · 13-Jul-06, 07:57 PM

The best way to get your BF checked is to get weighted in a water tank. I believe this is the most accurate. If you check around you should be able to find a place that does it.

Cort · 13-Jul-06, 11:14 PM

Those scales are crap, I hope you didn't have to pay them to use it. I've never seen one give an accurate reading in my life, they're always at least a good 5-8% off or more.

**midgetcop** · 14-Jul-06, 01:53 PM

Thank God I didn't have to pay for it (it was included with my gym membership).

Yeah, I'm still a little skeptical about it.

Maxgain · 15-Jul-06, 05:38 PM

so thos e times it said error for me and i had to say my bodweight was heavier just so it would register the minimum 4% bf meant i wasnt 1.5%bf