Tanita Body Fat Scales

If you don't have the budget to include the more sophisticated body fat testers like DEXA and hydrostatic weighing, you basically have two options to choose from... body fat scales or body fat calipers. Unless you have a personal trainer, or know an accredited professional who is able to use the calipers, body fat scales are your most reliable choice. They are also more economic than many sets of calipers.

Tanita body fat scales use Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), like all body fat scales. Although it sounds pretty complicated, it's actually very simple...

A small, but completely harmless, electrical current is run through your body. The electrical current moves more quickly through fat free tissue, like muscle, than it does through fat or bone tissue.

In light of this, the amount of resistance to the electrical current relates to how much fat free tissue that a person has. Now here is where the challenge comes in...

Tanita body fat scales determine your body density instead of your body fat percentage. They use a formula to predict your body fat percentage based off of your body density. However, since there are different formulas for different age groups, there is no guarantee that the results will be 100% accurate. In fact, Tanita body fat scales are only accuarate to within 5%. This is the case with all methods of body fat analysis. The only way to be positive of what your "real" body fat percentage is, is through dissection, which would be a painful option.

But here's something important to remembers... Body fat scales don't need to be 100% accurate. As longa sthey can accurately monitor the changes in your body composition, over time, that's all that you need. Studies show that results from Tanita body fat scales are repeatable to a +/- 1% accuracy, which is better than your average bathroom scale.

Before looking at some Tanita body fat scales, here are some points that will help to make your results more reliable and consistent...

1. Make sure that you always drink the same amount of water before each test, so measure out some water before you test yourself.

2. Don't test yourself directly after exercising. You sweat when you exercise, which means that you lose water. This will affect your hydration levels and in the end, your results.

3. Measure yourself at the same time each day.

4. Although this can be difficult, try to test yourself in a similiar room temperature each time. You skin temperature affects the electircal current that the scales use.

5. Clean the footpads thoroughly, preferrably with alcohol, and then dry them off before each test.

6. If you have the chance, get your body composition measured by a professional, using skin fold calipers. This will give you a range as to how accurate your scale is.

7. Choose a body fat scale that has the right profile for you. If you have children that are going to use it as well, make sure that it can be calibrated for them. If you're an athlete that does 10+ hours of strenuous exercise per week, the same thing applies. This is important and can make a huge difference.

Now let's have a look at some Tanita body fat scales...

Tanita Body Fat Scales

Tanita body fat scales are the top in the industry. They have an extensive selection, however, many of their models are designed for commercial and/or professional use. The Tanital body sclaes, that are designed for home, are availalbe on line in a variety of prices ranging from about $60.00 to $250.00, but there really isn't any need to pay more than $140.00.

You can find savings on the majority of Tanita body fat scales on line. When choosing an on line retailer, be sure to stick with large, well known, and established companies. All of the Tanita body fat scales include a 1 year warranty on parts and labor, but be sure to double check that they will still honor this warranty if you buy over the Internet.

A highly known and established retailer is Bodytrends. They stock Tanita body fat sclaes and offer quick, easy ordering and great customer care!

Now, let's have a look at some Tanita body fat scales...

The Tanita TBF-621 (Adult, Child)
The TBF-621 is one of Tanita's lowest priced models. They aren't designed for athletes (anyone who exercises 10 hours or more per week). Overall a good choice if your budget is limited.

Tanita TBF-622 (Adult, Athlete)
The lowest cost model for athletes, which, in Tanita's terms is anyone that exercises more than 10 hours per week, and has done so for a long period of time... at least long enough to have had changing effect on their physique.

Tanita TBF-626 (Adult, Child, Athlete)
A family oriented scale, the TBF-626 is greate for families and for families with active athletes. This model is your best choice, and priced at under $100.00, it's a great deal as it also stores data for up to 2 people.