Body fat % 3 point or tanita hand held *thing*

Lift · 12-07-2005, 01:05 AM

Which is generally more accurate? the tanita or the 3 point caliper? I didnt know where to put this - i hope its ok here.

thanks in advance

- Lift

**EME** · 12-07-2005, 01:10 AM

The Tanita is terribly innacurate ( either the scale, or the hand held device ). I have seen it more than 100% off on many occasions. Bio-impedence devices are simply not accurate for bodyfat measure, especially for people with significant muscle mass.

A correctly done 3 point caliper reading will be MUCH, MUCH, MUCH more accurate.

Honestly, please don't even waste your time with the Tanita bodyfat measurements.

- EME

Lift · 12-07-2005, 01:12 AM

Thanks man

builtbeast · 12-07-2005, 04:42 AM

I agree the Tanita is not very accurate.

The 3 point is more accurate, as is the 7 point. This site will help you determine your bf from the site measurements.

http://www.linear-software.com/online.html

~~deadbluesky~~ · 12-07-2005, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EME

The Tanita is terribly innacurate ( either the scale, or the hand held device ). I have seen it more than 100% off on many occasions. Bio-impedence devices are simply not accurate for bodyfat measure, especially for people with significant muscle mass.

A correctly done 3 point caliper reading will be MUCH, MUCH, MUCH more accurate.

Honestly, please don't even waste your time with the Tanita bodyfat measurements.

- EME

agreed, i just went to the doctors to get a check up, he took my bodyfat and it was 9%, then i went to target after and pulled one of those scales out of its box that has the bf% in it and tried it, it said i was 14.5%

**DJSTARER** · 12-08-2005, 11:48 PM

Let me play devil's advocate por un minuto... but I am just curious what the significance of an accurate reading is.... as long as it is a CONSISTANT reading? Whether a monitor says 10% or 7%.... it doesn't change the way you look in the mirror. I use my BF analyzer to keep TRACK of my bodyfat, but what really counts is how you look anyway... I'd rather be looking great witha BF of 11% than looking not so great with a reading of 9%. Tell me if I am missing something though....

Don't forget your multi

**EME** · 12-09-2005, 01:13 AM

The other thing that I have noticed with the Tanita scale ( I have one ) is that it's readings are not consistent.

The lower my bodyfat gets, the more it is off. It isn't simply a few points higher each time.

For example, when my body fat is actually 14-15%, the Tanita scale may read 19-20%, then when my bodyfat gets down to 10-11%, it may say17%, when I get down to 7-8% it may read 15%, etc, etc...

So, even though I have actually cut my bodyfat% in half, the Tanita scale only shows a reduction of 25% from the original reading.

So, you could probably use it to get a very rough estimate of whether your bodyfat is getting lower, but it will not give you an accurate measurement at all of how much lower you are getting.

Honestly, you can tell as much or more from the mirror than you can from going by the Tanita scale readings.

- EME

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJSTARER

Let me play devil's advocate por un minuto... but I am just curious what the significance of an accurate reading is.... as long as it is a CONSISTANT reading? Whether a monitor says 10% or 7%.... it doesn't change the way you look in the mirror. I use my BF analyzer to keep TRACK of my bodyfat, but what really counts is how you look anyway... I'd rather be looking great witha BF of 11% than looking not so great with a reading of 9%. Tell me if I am missing something though....

Don't forget your multi

**DJSTARER** · 12-09-2005, 03:18 AM

Thanks. I guess I havn't done the dance enough to notice...

Don't forget your multi

**A.FreeRadical** · 12-09-2005, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJSTARER

Let me play devil's advocate por un minuto... but I am just curious what the significance of an accurate reading is.... as long as it is a CONSISTANT reading? Whether a monitor says 10% or 7%.... it doesn't change the way you look in the mirror. I use my BF analyzer to keep TRACK of my bodyfat, but what really counts is how you look anyway... I'd rather be looking great witha BF of 11% than looking not so great with a reading of 9%. Tell me if I am missing something though....

Don't forget your multi

I agree. I think my DigiWeigh scale is inaccurate at determining my exact bodyfat percentage. It does seem to track (it is consistant) the changes in my bodyfat over time. 3 point measurement is best if you must know what your exact bodyfat is. My scale gives me the assurance that I am losing or gaining the right kind of weight (fat vs. muscle). That is all that I need at this time.

BTW, a good bf% scale has an adjustment for "athletic" to compensate for those of us who have extra muscle. If you buy one, make sure you get a scale with this feature. The difference on mine is double the % if I don't set it to athletic.

*

**DJSTARER** · 12-09-2005, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.FreeRadical

I agree. I think my DigiWeigh scale is inaccurate at determining my exact bodyfat percentage. It does seem to track (it is consistant) the changes in my bodyfat over time. 3 point measurement is best if you must know what your exact bodyfat is. My scale gives me the assurance that I am losing or gaining the right kind of weight (fat vs. muscle). That is all that I need at this time.

BTW, a good bf% scale has an adjustment for "athletic" to compensate for those of us who have extra muscle. If you buy one, make sure you get a scale with this feature. The difference on mine is double the % if I don't set it to athletic.

*

yay... i have a follower

12-07-2005, 01:05 AM	#1
Lift I Love IronMass.Com Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 825 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 12	Body fat % 3 point or tanita hand held thing Which is generally more accurate? the tanita or the 3 point caliper? I didnt know where to put this - i hope its ok here. thanks in advance - Lift __________________ MrLiftALot@hotmail.com "King Kong Ain't Got Sh*t On Me..."

12-07-2005, 01:10 AM	#2
EME Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,265 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 51	The Tanita is terribly innacurate ( either the scale, or the hand held device ). I have seen it more than 100% off on many occasions. Bio-impedence devices are simply not accurate for bodyfat measure, especially for people with significant muscle mass. A correctly done 3 point caliper reading will be MUCH, MUCH, MUCH more accurate. Honestly, please don't even waste your time with the Tanita bodyfat measurements. - EME __________________ PhysiqueFXonline - Online Nutrition and Training with Michael and Kendra Elias: www.MichaelandKendra.com Team Molecular Nutrition Creative Director FAME Media Group / World Natural Sports Organization Editor-In-Chief FAME Magazine www.FAMEWorldTour.com

12-07-2005, 01:12 AM	#3
Lift I Love IronMass.Com Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 825 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 12	Thanks man __________________ MrLiftALot@hotmail.com "King Kong Ain't Got Sh*t On Me..."

12-07-2005, 04:42 AM	#4
builtbeast Großer Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Location: In a very red state Posts: 1,430 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 94	I agree the Tanita is not very accurate. The 3 point is more accurate, as is the 7 point. This site will help you determine your bf from the site measurements. http://www.linear-software.com/online.html __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arjjb1u64Kc *******.com Last edited by builtbeast : 12-07-2005 at 09:29 AM.*

12-08-2005, 11:48 PM	#6
DJSTARER eating more folate... Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: State College, PA Posts: 4,162 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 116	Let me play devil's advocate por un minuto... but I am just curious what the significance of an accurate reading is.... as long as it is a CONSISTANT reading? Whether a monitor says 10% or 7%.... it doesn't change the way you look in the mirror. I use my BF analyzer to keep TRACK of my bodyfat, but what really counts is how you look anyway... I'd rather be looking great witha BF of 11% than looking not so great with a reading of 9%. Tell me if I am missing something though.... Don't forget your multi __________________ My philosophies on training: "Extreme training yields extreme results" "Just because you can, does not mean you should" "The best program is the one you are not doing" Penn State Powerlifting-181 lb weightclass PGA Professional of America Current Stats: 474 Squat 601 Deadlift 320 Bench Goals for next training cycle: 500lbs squat and a total over 1400 in competition

12-09-2005, 03:18 AM	#8
DJSTARER eating more folate... Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: State College, PA Posts: 4,162 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 116	Thanks. I guess I havn't done the dance enough to notice... Don't forget your multi __________________ My philosophies on training: "Extreme training yields extreme results" "Just because you can, does not mean you should" "The best program is the one you are not doing" Penn State Powerlifting-181 lb weightclass PGA Professional of America Current Stats: 474 Squat 601 Deadlift 320 Bench Goals for next training cycle: 500lbs squat and a total over 1400 in competition

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