I was shocked at my body fat percentage too when I started working out and using the Inbody. As my body fat percentage started going down, I did look much leaner and stronger. It’s still hard to keep up with the percent of muscle mass I need to be “healthy” but I trust the trends in my weight, body fat percentage, and muscle mass that it reports. Look at the overall trend and not the number. |
It has always seemed accurate to me. You shouldn't eat, drink or workout prior to your measurement. |
Remember body fat percentage isn't BMI. The inBody printout should show you where your body fat percentage is in the range. |
I did these at the start and end of a fitness class back in college. It always seemed accurate and the actual amount of fat on my body was higher than my BMI would indicate. Turns out I just don't carry as much bone and muscle weight as an average person my size. Was useful to know that. |
They are accurate if done right.
One of the most accurate ways to measure body composition for normal people. Obviously athletes and doctors have access to more expensive methods. I do not think anyone gets a scan the first time and says “wow, I’m in way better shape than I thought!”. It is not like we can see our skeletal weight. Also fat is hidden all over your body in places not always visible- like around your organs. Get below 30% and you will be amazed at the change - maybe not all visible but giving room for other parts of your body does wonders. |
Inbody is notoriously unreliable. Get a DEXA scan if you want to know your true body fat. You are likely less than 34 but most women underestimate their body fat levels and are surprised with their results. |
NP. I think they're unreliable. Too many variables like hydration, recent meals, caffeine intake, menstrual cycle, etc. |
I thought that dexa scan checks bone density. Sounds like it measures body fat, too? I’ve had several dexa scans (ordered by my gyn as I am post-menopausal, now have mild osteopenia) and my body fat has never been reported to me. |
You can get both done on a dexa. |
I was prescribed/referred for a dexa for a medical condition. Do gyms offer these or just pay somewhere to have one? Mine was at radiology dept of hospital- did not seem like something anyone can just buy. |
Yes, you can get it done outside of a hospital for a fee. It is very reliable in measuring body fat LEVELS. Lean mass will still depend on many other factors and can fluctuate through your cycle so I would not necessarily fixate on the body fat percentage. |
DEXA scan out of medical procedure is like $200 per scan around here. Inbody is like 30-50. Not many people pay $200 a month to be scanned. Gyms chose affordable option. |
Does DEXA require a prescription or can anyone willing to pay have it done? |
You just pay out of pocket. I’m looking into a DEXA place around Tysons. How often are people doing this? I was thinking annually. |
I’ve done both in body scans at my gym and Dexa scans. The inbody was fairly close to the Dexa scan. Sadly, that body fat percentage is fairly normal for middle age. I’m 5’2 120-125 and Dexa showed me at 27% body fat (87 lbs of muscle). In body had me at 30 and 26. That put me at less than 10% compared to 51-62 year olds-I’m 52.
It showed where the fat was distributed around the body. Luckily most of mine is in my hips (not a surprise) despite having 32ddd chest. Having a lot around the waist is not good. Are you sure that visceral fat is right? Mine was .52 lbs. i wouldn’t count on inbody for that measurement-there’s now at the scan could figure that out. Dexa does give you bone density but it’s overall. It takes into account your entire body vs a medical bone density scan where they only look at spine and hip. That’s what you want if you have osteoporosis. I have osteopenia but the dexa bone density showed I was in the a erage range since it takes the entire body into account. |