How accurate are those body fat scales?

[kindred]

Not sure if i have asked this before but Ill ask it again!

How accurate are those body fat scales?

Does anyone use them?

 

[pow]

about as accurate as weather forcasts , all methods of body fat measurement are only estimation

choice magazine did a comparison of Body fat scales
CHOICE - Test: Body fat scales

 

[faff]

I have measured my Bodyfat on scales at the gym. The scales had two different methods for measuring.
First method told me 13+%
Second method told me 7%
Essentially, I'm no wiser now than before

 

[Josh_GTiR]

If you are 7%, you would have veins poking out EVERYWHERE and you would also have some pretty major striation going on. IE Bodybuilders on comp day or very close to comp.

 

[pistachio]

If you are 7%, you would have veins poking out EVERYWHERE and you would also have some pretty major striation going on. IE Bodybuilders on comp day or very close to comp.

really? i thought that was more down the 3-5% range?

 

[Josh_GTiR]

I guess it differs for everyone.

Your vascularity and striation will start to show from anything 9% and under if you ask me. 3 - 5% is only maintainable for a VERY short period of time. It is pretty dangerous and unhealthy. Males have 5 - 6% of essential bodyfat on their body, without that you are going to be doing detrimental things to your body.

For most, anything under 10% bodyfat is very visible abs.

 

[Shrek]

really? i thought that was more down the 3-5% range?

The superfreaks can get down to 3-4& but most contest bodybuilers would be around the 6-9% mark, but does it really matter, the best bodybuilder wins contests not always the most shredded?