Dont forget to get nekid … Ive come to the conclusion that the Tanita just isnt for everyone. I like to use it for obese clients, but if you can get a good skinfold take it. I personaly have noticed a 7% difference between the Tanita and skinfolds. Athletic setting too. I got a question though. If someone holds more fat in the ass then any other part of the body do you think that would affect the reading? I would think so based on the fact that the electric current only goes through your lower body. Let me know your opinions.
Just a note. I use the Tanita 612 and I tracked my readings for the last 35 days weighing at the exact same time morning and evening. Total range was from 8-15% (sometimes in the same day). Median was ~12% where calipers are 10-12%. Evening %'s are always much better (hydration and higher bodyweight).
I had started another thread with a question about the Tanita scale. I was getting reading obviously too high. A response from Philip sais that because the current travels through the legs, if you grab your ankles (bend over) while using the scale you will get lower readings. I tried this today. I got 20% standing up straight. I got 16% holding my ankles. Should the second method actually be closer to the actual? On calipers I get about 15%,
It is important to note that all of the validation studies using these scales and all of the recomendations are based on a person standing normally on the scale (not grabbing ankles). I completely understand why this would change the reading, but it is not the correct way to use the machine. But, I’ve always focused reliablility and consistency over accuracy, so if you want to grab your ankles every time, have fun. I don’t plan to do it.
Instrument - yes, if males store proportionately more fat in the hips and rear, their body fat reading will be higher. This will not necessarily be the case with women as there normal fat distribution is compensated for in the algorithms that the Tanita scale uses.
To Everybody - EVERY SINGLE BODY FAT METHOD RELIES ON ASSUMPTIONS THAT MAY NOT BE TRUE IN EVERY SINGLE PERSON. This means that exact accuracy is not really attainable. Most methods will have you in the ballpark, but none will get you a measure that I would bet against. I've discussed this thoroughly in other threads and I am willing to post some of the problems with every body composition techniques if you want to see them (I've done this in an article that I submitted to TC so send him an email if you want to see my thoughts on body composition and a practical way to track yours in one complete package). Sorry for the shameless plug. So, even though you might see a consistent difference between skinfolds and bioimpedance does not mean that it will be the same difference for anybody else on the forum. Body composition is a tricky and complex subject that most academics, health professionals, and even research labs do not understand. My initial opinions that were fed to me by my professors who taught me the measurement techniques have been drastically changed after I've read and thoroughly discussed the roots and logic behind all the various techniques.
Lipo - That is significantly more variation than I see. The biggest difference I have had from a day to day morning reading is 2% and I was able to predict it because I woke up very dehydrated. I usually have less than 1% variation in my weekly measurements. But if you've followed my recommendations and are averaging 7 days worth of measurements into one weekly measurement, you should still be able to track body composition changes very well.
Steve Bonk - I think my initial paragraph answered your question, but if it did not, please ask for more detail.
Thanks Jason. You pretty much did answer my question. What bothers me however, is not the fact that I get inacurate readings, but that it just will not go below 20%. If I get wrong readings but they are consistent and I can measure my progress just by using the difference, that is fine. And this was ok getting the scale to show 26% down to 20%. But now it will just not go any lower even though I know I have been continuing to drop bodyfat. Couls this mean that I am now losing bodyfat from the waist and other areas but not the legs and hips? I thought that this type of “spot reduction” generally did not occur.
“To Everybody - EVERY SINGLE BODY FAT METHOD RELIES ON ASSUMPTIONS THAT MAY NOT BE TRUE IN EVERY SINGLE PERSON.”
Thanks for that statement, Jason! I was waiting for you to reply to the threads that were posted, seeing as you have the most knowledge on this board about this subject.
I personally think that it is VERY helpful to have this subject come up almost on a weekly basis, simply because I believe that Body Composition measurement is a valuable TOOL…(let me emphasize the word “TOOL”…not “ego stroker”) for the person serious about working out and staying in shape. Can one do it with just a mirror, some weights and a “good” diet? Some can…many of us can’t. Many require careful monitoring, or they end up scratching their heads and wondering why they are not reaching their goals despite “working out balls-to-the-wall” and “eatin’ good”.
I’ll also reiterate my original point(and ADD it to Jason’s point):
1)CONSISTENCY BREEDS GREATER ACCURACY WITH ALL BODYFAT MEASURING DEVICES, INCLUDING IMPEDENCE!
2)EVERY SINGLE BODY FAT METHOD RELIES ON ASSUMPTIONS THAT MAY NOT BE TRUE IN EVERY SINGLE PERSON."
Outstanding…!
Can you make sure to always use your last name or initial. There are at least 20 steves who seem to post to the board. What I’d like you to do is to track your body composition with the Tanita scale and the calipers for another month. You need to see if the calipers are dropping and where you are losing the fat. Since you measure the upper trunk, abdomen and leg with the calipers, you will get a good indication where most of the fat is leaving from (measure 1-2 times weekly for this little research project). Continue to monitor body comp also by the Tanita (do this each day in the am). When you have done this, post as much of the results as you can or at least post a question directed at me. If we can work it out on the forum, that’s great, but if we can’t, then I’ll find a way to get you my email and we will talk about it that way. Let me know if you are cool with this thought.
Thanks Jason. I will do what you suggest. I have 3+ months of written weekly records from the Tanita. This is from using the scale every day and then averaging the 7 results. I will continue to do this and also now track all 3 measurements from the calipers. Thanks for the help.