How accurate are electronic BF% machines?

[keyed]

How accurate are electronic body fat % machines? The one they have at the gym looks like a large Dreamcast controller. You input age, weight, height, and grip it to get your reading.

The last two readings I got were 17.6% and 15.9%, one and two months ago. My stats were the same, 5'6" and 177 lbs, so I would have converted 3 lbs of fat to muscle. This would put my lean mass at ~149 lbs and fat at ~28 lbs. It's always a bit weird, seeing people with similar height or taller (but with a different build) post about trying to get below 160.

 

[KoolDrew]

They are not very accurate at all and are very dependent on hydration status. For the longer answer, see this

 

[alkemyst]

They are best used to track progress, not to get the most accurate lean body mass.

 

[brikis98]

Not accurate at all.

 

[darkxshade]

They are only accurate if you like the number it's showing you

 

[KoolDrew]

They are best used to track progress, not to get the most accurate lean body mass.

In order for a method to be used to track progress, it must be shown to at least be consistent. BIA measurements are not all.

 

[MrMatt]

In order for a method to be used to track progress, it must be shown to at least be consistent. BIA measurements are not all.

this. Just use calipers

 

[Bateluer]

Unless you're getting dunked in a tank of water, any BF% machine is worthless junk. Even for 'tracking trends'.

 

[keyed]

Thanks for all the info guys.