GEORGE SPELLWIN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Enlightening Men about Anabolic Steroids and Bodybuilding for over Two Decades
| Author | Topic: Those Fuc*ing BF scales | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder 
Posts: 175 |
I have this pice of shit scaled called Tanita 650. I know my BF is around 15 but it reads for me 24 ????????? Is this thing accurate or a waste of money????
Foz     | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 268 |
What is it? Is it skinfold calipers, electrical impedence, or what? Tell me and I'll let you know what I think. Peace! ------------------ | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder 
Posts: 454 |
you step on the scale i believe it has metal contacts on it, i dont know how it works but i believe it has problems with bone density ------------------ | ||
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Moderator 
Posts: 4207 |
I do not think it was intended for weightlifters since our LBM will be far above average. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 81 |
It's a piece of shit. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 175 |
Burnboy said it all. You step on the metal things and it gives you a reading.....Looks like a every day scale....you enter your height and gender before you get on>>>>> thanks foz | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 268 |
Sounds like electrical impedence. It measures your weight and compares it to how well electricity passes through your body. Fat conducts electicity worse than other tissues. They don't really work. Dehydration, electrolyte levels etc can all cause drastic changes. Buying a $10 pair of skinfold calipers would give more accurate and reliable results. Peace! ------------------ | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 583 |
Actually Tanita came out with a "Athletes" version, but it still says in the booklet that comes with it that it wont work for body builders. It may not be the most accurate method but it will work. My BF measures 9% with the scale, and a little over 10% with the calipers so its close. | ||
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Cool Novice 
Posts: 41 |
I agree with Yoda. These scales are pretty accurate, but you need to put it in athlete mode. Also, you have to take the reading at the same time each day. Readings can vary by as much as 5% in a single day, but are pretty consistent if you take the reading at the same time -- like before bed -- every day. | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 447 |
I have one of those Tanita BF scales and they definately suck. I had my BF checked at 16% with calipers and that scale jumps from 23-31% BF depending on what I ate and how much water I was retaining. | ||
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Cool Novice
Posts: 21 |
I have the Futrex 1100 it was like 100 bucks and it has given me the same results as the skin folds 3 times in a row. It is the UV light on the arm one. It was cheap and well worth it in my opinion. But don't get suckered into the more expensive on it is the same technology and gave me the same readings as mine 5 times in a row (within 1% error). | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 452 |
I had one. The athletic version. Total bullshit. It works like DocAtlas says - impedence, but asks height and gender. If you are normal height and weigh 230, it assumes you are a fatass. | ||
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Elite Bodybuilder 
Posts: 1096 |
You have to put how tall you are and your weight. It sends a signal from one foot through your body and down to the other foot. It calculates the time it takes to do so, BUT if you are very muscular, this alters the time to reach the other foot. So you get figures like 20 or 25 % bodyfat, while this isn't so. ------------------ Don't look back, life is too short | ||
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Novice 
Posts: 2 |
Does anybody know the formula and body areas to measure to get bf% using the calipers. I used to have a good formula but lost it. Thanks. | ||
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Cool Novice
Posts: 47 |
My calipers came with an instruction booklet and video. They say that the most accurate method of performing a skinfold is bicep, tricep, back (just below shoulder blade), and abdomen. Unfortunately, I'm at work so I can't post the formula used in figuring results. I'll try to post it tonight when I get home if nobody else has. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 103 |
So would you say that the Tanita scales are about 5-10% BF off? I KNOW I am not 18%! | ||
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Elite Bodybuilder
Posts: 1096 |
no, just don't use it if you have a lot of muscle and muscle density. Leave it for runners. ------------------ Don't look back, life is too short |
All times are ET (US) | |
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posted October 19, 2000 07:21 PM