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Advantages & Drawbacks of the Methods
Bod Pod
Advantages:
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Fast! Complete test, start to finish in under 5 minutes!
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Accurate. Results within +/- 1%. The only method proven as accurate as hydrostatic weighing, with no drawbacks.
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Accommodates all populations. From children to the elderly. Light-weight wrestlers to 500lb Sumo wrestlers!
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Thanks to Baseline Fitness, Affordable!
Drawbacks:
Under Water (Hydrostatic) Weighing
Advantages:
Drawbacks:
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It's under water!
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Difficult, must blow out all your air while you remain under water.
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It's inconvenient to schedule and locate. Can take up to an hour.
Skinfold Calipers
Advantages:
Drawbacks:
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High error margins. When performed by a highly skilled technician,
using very expensive, research grade calipers, this method is within 3%-4%
(that is a 6%-to 8% window). Take away these precise conditions and
the error margins go up to 8% plus or minus. That's a 16% window in body
fat!
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Not a full body measurement. Only subcutaneous fat (under the skin) is
measured and full body density is estimated from the 'pinch' sites.
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Literally Ineffective in measuring certain populations.
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Usually performed in your gym or health club - not private.
Bio-Electrical
Advantages:
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Easily accessible, often offered free at health fairs.
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Can purchase home 'scale' for around $80-$100.
Drawbacks:
Dual Energy X-Ray
(DEXA)
Advantages:
Drawbacks:
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Uses X-ray technology, which is invasive.
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Expensive and difficult to locate.
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Almost exclusive to medical practices, requires X-Ray technician.
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