How do They Work?
Body Fat Monitors work by using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), which simply means that the scale sends a small and completely harmless electric current through your body. The electrical current passes more quickly through fat free tissue like muscle than it does through fat or bone tissue. So, in basic terms, more fat means more resistance and therefore a higher body fat percentage. Monitors can be programmed to take into account factors such as age and gender, and use a formula to calculate fat accordingly.
What are the drawbacks of this method?
What these machines actually measure is body mass. A formula is then used to calculate body fat. Different formulas are used, taking into account age and weight. But other factors such as ethnicity and fitness levels also play a part. So the fat calculation is just really a prediction based on the monitor and a couple of variables. However, this does not take away from the benefits of using a body fat monitor. If the same monitor is used, what is important is that any changes can be monitored and this offers very valuable information. The most accurate results are obtained when certain factors are standardised. For example the time of day the monitor is used should be the same, the room temperature should be about the same every time, at least an hour should have passed since physical activity and water should be drunk at a consistent rate over the day.
So if using the same machine, you can monitor changes in body composition over time. So for example, if you keep seeing a decrease in your body fat percentage, you can take that as real change, meaning that although the number may not be 'true', the changes are.
What are the benefits over simple weighing scales?
All weighing scales will tell you is whether you are losing weight. Losing weight does not automatically mean you are losing excess fat. It is possible that you could be losing muscle density that your body needs to function effectively, to prevent health risks and to look your best. Conversely, an increase in your exercise routine can make you gain weight. Muscle weighs more than fat. So if you are building muscle in your body, the chances are you may end up weighing more but having a much lower body fat percentage.
So Body Fat Monitors can provide useful information to aid maintaining good health. Many are available on the market, with features such as individual profile memories meaning that you can store and track your results.
Body Fat Monitors work by using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), which simply means that the scale sends a small and completely harmless electric current through your body. The electrical current passes more quickly through fat free tissue like muscle than it does through fat or bone tissue. So, in basic terms, more fat means more resistance and therefore a higher body fat percentage. Monitors can be programmed to take into account factors such as age and gender, and use a formula to calculate fat accordingly.
What are the drawbacks of this method?
What these machines actually measure is body mass. A formula is then used to calculate body fat. Different formulas are used, taking into account age and weight. But other factors such as ethnicity and fitness levels also play a part. So the fat calculation is just really a prediction based on the monitor and a couple of variables. However, this does not take away from the benefits of using a body fat monitor. If the same monitor is used, what is important is that any changes can be monitored and this offers very valuable information. The most accurate results are obtained when certain factors are standardised. For example the time of day the monitor is used should be the same, the room temperature should be about the same every time, at least an hour should have passed since physical activity and water should be drunk at a consistent rate over the day.
So if using the same machine, you can monitor changes in body composition over time. So for example, if you keep seeing a decrease in your body fat percentage, you can take that as real change, meaning that although the number may not be 'true', the changes are.
What are the benefits over simple weighing scales?
All weighing scales will tell you is whether you are losing weight. Losing weight does not automatically mean you are losing excess fat. It is possible that you could be losing muscle density that your body needs to function effectively, to prevent health risks and to look your best. Conversely, an increase in your exercise routine can make you gain weight. Muscle weighs more than fat. So if you are building muscle in your body, the chances are you may end up weighing more but having a much lower body fat percentage.
So Body Fat Monitors can provide useful information to aid maintaining good health. Many are available on the market, with features such as individual profile memories meaning that you can store and track your results.
Alana Holder writes about body fat monitors.
Morton Medical has a great selection of body fat monitors from the leading brands at affordable prices. Visit the website http://www.mortonmedical.co.uk/Body_Fat_Monitors~cat~44.htm to find out more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alana_HolderMorton Medical has a great selection of body fat monitors from the leading brands at affordable prices. Visit the website http://www.mortonmedical.co.uk/Body_Fat_Monitors~cat~44.htm to find out more.
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