omron HBF-301 Body Fat Analyzer $34.90 at Outpost + HBF-306 42.90 at Yahoo! store

[whitesoxaddict]

copied from Lus at F@tWallet:

Outpost #: 2745583
The Omron HBF-310BL Body Logic Body Fat Analyzer determines body fat with the push of a button using a little-known principle known as Bioelectrical Impedance (BI).

BI is a widely accepted methods for measuring body fat levels both at the surface and between the body s internal organs. The HBF-301BL sends a current of energy through the body that s so extremely weak you can t feel it. Since fat tissues have little to no electric conductivity Body Logic is able to derive from the speed at which this energy travels through your tissues an accurate digital display of your body fat percentage and the weight of your body s fat in just 7 seconds!
Features

Features a simple 5 button keypad.
Stores up to 9 personal data profiles.
Large easily read display.
Slim design for easy transport and storage.
Uses 4 AAA batteries (included)

Outpost

I found the new model, hbf-306 for 42.95 MedShop Express, but this a yahoo store, does anyone know if they're reliable? Supposedly the 301 is over 3 years old, if you go by the reviews at epinions.com, the 306 came out this year i think

 

[elektronic]

I don't think these things really work. I'm 6'3 and 165 lbs and one of these said I was 18% bodyfat. If that were the case I'd have 35lbs of fat on me, and only 130lbs of bone, muscle and organ tissue.

 

[whitesoxaddict]

well some are better than others, and 18% is still fairly good, so maybe it was correct

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: elektronic
I don't think these things really work. I'm 6'3 and 165 lbs and one of these said I was 18% bodyfat. If that were the case I'd have 35lbs of fat on me, and only 130lbs of bone, muscle and organ tissue.

don't muscle and fat weigh differently? maybe they're giving volume...

 

[rochlin]

There was a review of these things recently in the Wall Street Journal (electrical impedence bodyfat measuring devices).

What they measure, they measure with high accuracy, but it is only loosely correlated with bodyfat percentage. For example, if you drink a glass of water or just exercised it'll throw things off considerably.

WSJ found you could expect a +/- 4 or 5 percent range of measurements from the same device, varying with time of day, etc.

That said, if you measure your bodyfat percentage over time, you will get a fairly consistent and meaningful average number. That number will not truly represent bodyfat, but it will accurately represent progress of a diet/exercise program.

On average over a week or so it'll even give you a fair idea of your actual bodyfat if you match the averages for bone density/muscle density/male-femaleness the devices are programmed with.

By the way, most people who are of "normal" weight and don't consider themselves particularly fat or thin will fall in the 10-27% range roughly (women have higher avg. bodyfat percentages, what with breasts and such). These devices work particularly poorly for people who fall much outside that, either fatter or thinner.

 

[cremefilled]

You can buy an inexpensive skinfold measuring device which pinches your skin and gives a reading for skin depth. Taking a 5-site compilation of skinfolds (5 sites is just one of several methods) will give a much more repeatable measurement of bodyfat.

I've got this Omron unit, as well as an infrared device that is placed at the biceps and measures bodyfat using the same technique that the USDA uses to measure fat content in a side of beef. A $15-20 skinfold caliper is more accurate and more repeatable.

Here's one good source for calipers: dpsnutrition. Do a search for "caliper". The unit from AST Research for $24.95 is very highly reviewed, and has a great reputation on the Usenet misc.fitness.weights forum. DPSNutrition kicks some serious booty for all sorts of nutritional/bodybuilding supplements, btw.

 

[dKYguy23]

I'll analyze your body fat, send me a picture and/or tell me your height & weight.

NO CHARGE, for my services but donations are always welcome.

 

[BobSnob]

Originally posted by: dKYguy23
I'll analyze your body fat, send me a picture and/or tell me your height & weight.

I'm 5'2" and 350lbs. Am I fat?