Bioelectrical impedance body fat measuring devices

[maniacalpha1-1]

I know these are inaccurate, but are they consistent? That is, if I'm 15% but they read 20%, can I still use a decrease in the reading as a progress marker?

 

[Koing]

No. Too many variables and your *reading* will be all over the place.

Go via your weekly average weigh in, pictures and tape measure. Or go to a place and get a BodPod test done or an under water tank test.

Koing

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I know these are inaccurate, but are they consistent? That is, if I'm 15% but they read 20%, can I still use a decrease in the reading as a progress marker?

What you're talking about are the validity (accuracy) and reliability (consistency) of the measure. Sadly, bioelectrical impedence isn't really either. They vary greatly based on your hydration levels, skin contact, etc. If you take it every day and average something like a 5 day trend, that will make trends easier to see, but noticing a difference will be slow. As Koing said, progress pictures and body part measurements are a great way to go. The progress pictures are a bit more subjective, but the body part measurements at set points (neck, arm, hips, waist, thighs, etc) are a good indicator of progress. Take them every week or so and you'll notice some differences.