HeroHawk's picture
HeroHawk
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Fat Calculators and Video Games

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Being back to the gym in the recent weeks, I estimated my BF% based off an older calculation from a gym using calipers.

Was next to my gym for lunch, and thought I'd duck in to talk to the trainers. Asked them to check my BF%. Expecting to get poked/prodded by the cutie there, I was shocked/letdown by being handed this video-game controller looking gizmo.

Got told to hold it in a certain way, after the asked me a few questions, and after a few beeps. The toy spits out a 20 BMI, and 14% BF result.

How accurate are those things? 20% and 14% IMO are big differences, and probably might change a few strategies of mine.

HeroHawk's picture

Just an update here, I got a better look at the toy tonight. It is called the OMRON Fat Loss Monitor.

Dunno how accurate the gizmo is, and I'm considering my amputation might play into that a bit... but it spat out 15% today. Least the thing is consistent.

Drock_357's picture

idk how accurate those gizmos r but I get mine done that way also....being an old simple " gym rat" I'm only concerned if the % goes up or down and not so much the actual number, and adjust my nutrition accordingly....i rely on the mirror mostly, but still have it checked every 2 months..
Now if u r doing the stage or comps I'm sure u will have it done professionally ( hopefully by the cutie) , but for the average person I say if u have it done by the same method each time, and pay attention to the mirror, in time you should be able to keep your bf in range
When I say this post I Thot it was gonna b about favorite video games lol......donkey kong in the best! Lol
Have a good weekend ya'll....I gotta do my first ocr...this mite be embarrassing....

7gothic's picture

I've used them before and Have wondered the same thing.

THE_MECHANIC's picture

I think I remember seeing your pic, 20%ish is probably accurate. At 14% you would likely have visible upper abs, maybe faint lower abs and decent muscle separation. I'm no professional but that machine sounds like shit.

HeroHawk's picture

Thanks. I think the toy was shit too.

THE_MECHANIC's picture

I think the bodpod/ water displacement type tests are generally regarded as more accurate. The US Navy has a formula using tape measurements:

http://fitness.bizcalcs.com/Calculator.asp?Calc=Body-Fat-Navy

Pictures help for reference too:

http://www.builtlean.com/2012/09/24/body-fat-percentage-men-women/

I usually use the calipers and then compare to pictures to see if it is accurate but I usually still have a 5% range up or down. The best way to track progress is to take regular measurements with the tape and compare.