InBody 270 Body Composition Analyser

InBody Scanner - What is it?

InBody uses a method called Bio-electrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to measure body composition, which divides your weight into different components such as lean body mass and fat mass to assess health and nutrition. 

A low-level electrical current is sent through the body. 

The flow of the current is affected by the amount of water in the body. 

The device measures how this signal is impeded through different types of tissue. Tissues that contain large amounts of fluid and electrolytes, such as blood, have high conductivity, but fat and bone slow the signal down. 

The muscle in your body contains water, unlike fat, so the more muscle you have, the more body water. And the more body water you have, the lesser the resistance on the electrical current. 

This information is then calculated to provide us with an easy to read body composition analysis results sheet that we can then use to track progress and communicate with members. 

Here are some advantages to using the InBody machine compared to other body composition tests:  

• Non-Invasive and simple to use Members can come in, take off their shoes and socks then jump on the machine. 
• They get a reading done quickly and it doesn’t take a big chunk of time out of their day. 
• There are other methods that can be used, some of them are quick and easy but provide basic information only. Some are lengthy and expensive and require the assistance of a trained technician to administer a test.   
• Consistency and Accuracy Providing you follow the user guidelines, InBody say that it is 98.4% accurate compared to DEXA, which is considered as the gold standard in Body composition analysis and reproducibility of results is as high as 99%.

Feedback 

The results sheet the InBody scan gives us all the information we need in terms of body composition for our members. Based off this information we can better coach them through their journey.   Tracking progress Once a member has created a profile on the InBody, all their information is stored so that each time they use the scanner they can see the history of their scan results.

Inbody’s testing considerations:

It is recommended to test every 2-4 weeks under similar conditions in order to effectively track progress. If an initial test was taken in the morning, it is recommended to maintain the same condition for subsequent test, if possible. (This will ensure that the changes observed are a direct result of recent lifestyle changes to diet or exercise, rather than external factors.) 

*** PRIOR TO TESTING ***

DO

• Maintain your normal fluid intake the day before ·        
• Stand upright for at least 5 minutes ·        
• Remove any socks or tights (feet should be bare) ·        
• Remove all heavy objects such as jewellery, watches, belts, wallets and jackets ·        
• Warm yourself up for 20 minutes in colder weather ·        
• Use the bathroom   

DON’T

• Eat or exercise for at least 3 hours ·        
• Consume alcohol or excess caffeine for at least 24 hours ·        
• Use a shower or sauna ·        
• Use lotion/ointment on your hands and feet   
• * Avoid testing during menstruation – Hormonal changes during the menstrual phase may be associated with an altered water balance or additional fluid retention that will affect results. It’s recommended that women test at a consistent time during the menstrual cycle to effectively track long term body composition changes. 

People who should NOT use the InBody 270 include… Anyone who has an implantable electrical device such as Pacemaker, Defibrillator, Nerve Stimulator. Also, for women within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy, it is recommended to NOT use the device.