Tanita Scale

[zola]

Does anyone own a Tanita scale that calculates body fat? DH has been reading about it, and wants to buy one.They are pricey, so before I buy one I would like to hear if anyone had experiences with it. How accurate are they? Any information would be helpful. Thanks

Melissa

 

[materialsgirl]

I have one and honestly, it's not all that great. There are so many variables that affect the result you get, that it really can be a pain. They give false high results for most people, especially women. The body fat measurement depends on things like your hydration level, whether or not you've eaten recently, your body temperature, and a whole host of other things. It's very finicky. If you can be very consisten about the way you use it, it is a good tool for tracking changes - but don't accept the values as absolute. Use them only for comparitive purposes. I think several people here have had much better results with the Omron handheld body fat analyzer.

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

I love mine! I bought one a few years ago and it stopped working. Tanita had me send it back for repair but they couldn't fix it. They sent me a brand new upgraded model instead.

My body fat reading from Tanita is the same as my 3 site pinch digital caliper.

As long as you are very consistant with the conditions you take your reading, it is a wonderful tool. It may not be 100% accurate but it will tell you if you are gaining body fat or losing it.

All things considered, I'd buy it again in a minute.

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

I wanted to add, make sure you get one that allows you to program your height, age, gender, and mine asks for "active female or lazy female, active male or lazy male". It doesn't use "lazy" but you get the idea!

 

[zola]

Thanks Emily and Sara for your replies. I will check them out this weekend, and let you know what I decide. Thanks

Melissa

 

[desertbriez]

we have one... i use it as a tracking device.... i know that variable play a big part... (i have a lower reading in the evening when hydrated than in the morning)... however i use the morning number as my tracking number since that's when i weigh myself and the variable are the most constant!

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cute work out clothes are good for AT LEAST an additional 10-15 calories burned!

 

[Shaz]

Mine gives me a different reading every time I use it...

 

[smoogy]

I have one, but maybe I should reprogram it to "lazy female" since I'm too "lazy" to remember & use it. My baddd!!!

Marla

 

[icklemoley]

I have one and to be honest, if it is reading your body fat then it really shouldn't make a difference if you set it on lazy or active. It is reading your muscle/fat mass.

When i set mine on lazy, i'm 14% when i set it on active i'm 7%.

I wouldn't waste my money on them again i can tell you.

 

[werkenonit]

I can't say I'm all that impressed with mine. It says my body fat percentage is 40%. I would be in big trouble if that were true. I only use it as a gauge to whether I'm losing or gaining body fat now. I don't think it was worth the money.

-Angie