Post: #1

I recently used one and it told me I was at 11% bodyfat.

I know people talk about getting to 10% bodyfat as a real difficult goal to achieve.

I am a thin guy, I work out and I am building some muscle, but I am not "cut" or anything like that, I do not have defined muscles yet. I eat pretty healthy, but definitely include some junk in there and I'm not religious at all about only eating super-healthy.

So it seems unlikely I would sorta accidentally be at 11% bodyfat. Are these machines reliable?

Cause if so, I've got a really easy diet to follow for you guys... It includes beer, burgers, sweets, etc.

Post: #2

It's possible..some guys are just built that way whether it be genetics or ingrained healthy eating habits.

Whether the scanners work or not…don't know.

Post: #3

(08-13-2014 03:43 PM)Sonsowey Wrote:  I recently used one and it told me I was at 11% bodyfat.

I know people talk about getting to 10% bodyfat as a real difficult goal to achieve.

I am a thin guy, I work out and I am building some muscle, but I am not "cut" or anything like that, I do not have defined muscles yet. I eat pretty healthy, but definitely include some junk in there and I'm not religious at all about only eating super-healthy.

So it seems unlikely I would sorta accidentally be at 11% bodyfat. Are these machines reliable?

Cause if so, I've got a really easy diet to follow for you guys... It includes beer, burgers, sweets, etc.

Those things are very inaccurate. It's not difficult to get down to 10% BF, but it takes dedication. I'm an avid flexible dieter/IIFYM guy. Basically, eat what you want as if "fits your macros". I also pay attention to how much fiber I'm taking in.
Just to give you an idea of what 10% BF looks like, I'll post a pic of myself last Summer when I was around that. It all varies person by person, but at least it'll give you an idea.

Post: #4

I've used them. It pretty much depends. Your goal is attainable though. Both of my parents weigh over 350 pounds and are morbidly obese.. But I am lean, flexible, and weigh 186. My bodyfat is 13% last time I check though.

Post: #5

Could you tell us a little more about these hand-held body-fat analyzers?

Post: #6

Do they look like <a href=http://tinyurl.com/m3h43ts>these calipers</a> ?

If so, then they are accurate until you do take the measures with caution ; that's the tricky part. I use to repeat measurement thrice and do the average to get a more accurate result.

Scooby explains how to use them here : http://scoobysworkshop.com/body-fat-calculator/

Post: #7

One of the gyms I used to go to had some laying around on a desk after hours.

I don't know how accurate they are. I used it one night and the screen read 13% and the next day I was 11%.

I assumed my hydration level was the reason for the wild readouts.

Post: #8

What's the difference between an analyzer and a caliper?

Post: #9

Yeah I believe hydration makes a difference because it uses conductivity

Post: #10

A good way to guesstimate is just to compare.

With a focus to vascularity and striations. Those dissappear quickly on your way up.

Post: #11

Find a trainer who uses skin-fold calipers to measure body fat. In fact, this is a good way to screen for honest trainers.

These electric body-fat analyzers are all garbage. If a trainer uses one of them, his integrity should be questioned.

Post: #12

These handheld analyzers are not accurate in the least. I used one, it put me at 12%, which seemed reasonable. Then immediately after me, an elite tennis player (D1 full ride) put in his stats and used it, and it came back higher than mine at like 13%. This is a guy who's an elite athlete, 5'8", 135 pounds. Just looking at him, he has very little body fat.

In my opinion these things are almost pointless to use if the results are that wrong.