tanita scales

JimmyC · 01-08-2005, 10:23 AM

what do you guys think of them?

Kaiser · 01-08-2005, 10:53 AM

For bodyfat measuring? Good for showing an overall trend (upwards or downwards), but not good if you want an accurate number. Also, will do poorly if you are very fat or pretty lean (for me, it stops doing well when I get down below around 15% BF) because the algorithms designed to interpret the BEI into a BF% only describe the majority of the population, and the fails to accurate describe at the extremes.

JimmyC · 01-08-2005, 11:31 AM

yeah, for bodyfat measuring (doesnt have to be extremely accurate with the %), but most importantly consistancy.
also, ive read some stuff about them and some of them have an athlete setting, so wouldnt that make it more accurate for leaner people?

sorry bout all the questions, but i just wanna know if its worth it to buy one.

cappuccino · 01-08-2005, 01:17 PM

I have one that has the athlete and % water. I still think it doesn't fit the mold, like Kaiser says. I've definately gotten leaner (visually), but it doesn't show on the scale.

Rev · 01-08-2005, 02:43 PM

Mine is pretty accurate although hydration alone will shift the percentage up or down a full digit. I measure in the morning after a shake and glass of water. I wouldn't exclusively rely on Bioelectric Impedence methods when measuring for body fat accuracy although. I would try to use three different methods and average them out. Hydrodensitometry is proven the most accurate method but since I have no access to that at all I use scale, measuring tape, and calipers. Here is a good site for ya'll to check out, compares body fat measuring methods and their accuracy, pretty damn cool.
http://www.new-fitness.com/body_fat_analyzing.html

Lost Dog · 01-08-2005, 07:47 PM

When my old scale broke, I bought a Tanita scale, which was about the same cost or less (it was on sale) as the other digital scales. My model has no athletic mode...

Depite the ol' belly getting smaller, pants getting looser, etc. the scale still shows 15%. I thought it would at least show the trend, even if innacurate, but it seems stuck. The guy at the gym keeps measuring lower, however, as does a visual check in the mirror.

We'll see what happens to the % when (think positive!) I finally rid myself of this belly fat.