Unfortunately when it comes to weight, body composition and your health, the scales don't tell you the whole picture. In actual fact your weight is less important than your percentage of body fat when it comes to appearance, fitness, and health. This is where body fat monitors can help. Tracking your percentage of body fat with body fat monitors better shows how you are doing with diet and exercise than measuring weight on its own.
To measure your body fat percentage at home in DIY fashion, you can use one of the bioelectrical impedance devices for a measurement that is about as consistent and accurate as hydrostatic weighing, and as easy to use as your bathroom scale - in fact many models do come integrated in bathroom scales these days. Alternatively you can learn to use body fat calipers, which can be trickier to get a consistent reading but are favored by those who like to see their pound of flesh, so to speak.
Using this method, a device sends a tiny electrical charge through your hands or feet and uses the data to determine how much of you is fat and how much of you is water, with muscles and lean tissues being mostly water. To do the calculation, the unit needs to know your gender, age, and weight. These units should not be used by anybody with a pacemaker, but tend to be safe enough for most others to use.
When buying body fat monitors like this, you should opt for those that have memory features so you don't have to put in your basic data each time. In addition if others or using it too, then a multiple storage facility is ideal. If you are an athlete of low body fat/high muscle mass you should get a unit with an athlete setting to get more accurate measurement. If you have a child to measure, buy a unit with a child setting. A unit that acts as a scale is also convenient as it is something you can do in the bathroom.
To get an accurate reading with these monitors you must not be dehydrated. This means you should not do the test first thing in the morning or immediately after a workout or after consuming alcohol. It is best to use it three hours after a meal and after voiding your bladder. Naturally, it is best to weigh yourself without clothes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Free program for face on body
By: redhatcinderella | 23-07-2008
free program for face on body
Naked men exercise video
By: David | 23-07-2008
Where can i find a few video of men who do naked exercises. it's like exercise videos we buy in the book store or on line but one wthat are naked men. Looking at naked men who are fit helps me focus on being fit.
I do know there was a couple video that were mostly yoga and the men were naked.
Pain but i exercise through the pain
By: b4nat | 23-07-2008
I am a 47 year old male i reitred from the military about 5 years ago i have severe authritus. it really bothers me i have it in both knees and my left hip. I still exercise also. but when i am sitting my left hip joint throbs something terrible. is there any relief that i can try. i was told i was to young for any type of joint replacement surgery.
I am 71 and very secondary, have retired and have ...
By: dody | 23-07-2008
I am 71 and very secondary, have retired and have back problems. I am presently 210 lbs. on only 5ft. 1 l/2". How many calories per day, to loose.
How do i do it!!??
By: ConfusedGirl | 22-07-2008
Wow school is almost here!! How do i lose 20 pounds in 3 weeks??
I have a nuclear stress test (non exercise ...
By: Beverly | 22-07-2008
I have a nuclear stress test (non exercise) scheduled for 7:30 in the morning and just realized that I misread the instructions and drank a glass of caffiene tea at 4pm today. What will this do to my test or to me? HELP! I feel stupid and scared.
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