BC1 body comp analyzer as seen on Oprah - Exercise Equipment - Home and Gym - Trainer's Corner

I found this on ebay super, super cheap so I couldn't resist buying it. If people were willing to pay upwards of $200 for it, I thought I'd drop less than 10% on it without feeling guilty.

http://www.toolsforwellness.com/83192.html

I can't find any reviews online, even with it being featured on a daytime talk show and touted as FDA-approved. I suppose I could compare the results to my health-o-meter bodyfat scale when I get it, to see if they're at least close to each other. This is supposed to be accurate within 2.5%, which is impressive. Pretty slick how it does all this on your computer so you can save some space in your notebooks and brain cramps trying to do math, and how it monitors your hydration levels. I easily get dehydrated and sick to my stomach when I work out.

The FAQ page gave me a laugh too:
Q Is there any way to know [your body composition] for sure? A The only way to actually measure your body composition with 100% accuracy is to do an autopsy.

Nir
Senior Administrator

Joined:	17 January 2006
Location:	Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
Posts:	3902

Posted: 16 April 2008 10:45 am

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2.5% is quite bad, really. I have a feeling they mean "it might say 10% when it could be 12.5%"

Yes, I have heard the even water-balance studies (the best way to determine your body fat whilst still alive) have some problems with them.

However you should be aware that calipers are believed to give more consistent results than the BIA method that this device (and many others) use.

Read more: Calculating Body Composition

AshIdiot
New Member

Joined:	8 March 2008
Location:	Ohio USA
Posts:	51

Posted: 16 April 2008 02:58 pm

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Yeah, but I've also heard you can't use calipers accurately yourself and that you have to know what you're doing to get a proper measurement. I kinda gave up on that as soon as I heard about it. As long as I know I'm making some sort of progress, it should be worth it. And if not, back on ebay for a big profit :tongue:

edit:
Oh my lord, this scale says I'm 31% :shock:

But it was my first time using it, I'm sure I'll learn tips and tricks along the way like "only drink half a glass of water before using it" or "stand with your feet as flat as possible" or something kooky along those lines. Also, the error margin is a slight cushion. The chart says I have a "high fat percentage" and that's in the upper range just under "very high."

Good cause for concern, eh?

:crying:

Last edited on 17 April 2008 02:32 pm by AshIdiot

AshIdiot
New Member

Joined:	8 March 2008
Location:	Ohio USA
Posts:	51

Posted: 24 April 2008 03:51 am

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Oh lord. The payment was refunded today, the day I should have gotten it in the MAIL no less, because he "made a mistake in the item's price." That's not my friggin fault, dude. Are you serious right now?

So I guess I can't tell you guys how well it works.

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