Recently, a 70-year-old client of mine wanted to add high-intensity interval training to her routine, so she joined a local gym. As part of her membership, she received a complimentary assessment — which included a body fat test using bioelectric impedance.
What is Bioelectric Impedance?
This method sends a small electrical current through the body. Based on the resistance encountered, it estimates total body water — which is then used to predict body fat percentage.
It’s a quick and easy test, which makes it popular in many health clubs, but it’s far from the most accurate way to assess body composition.
The Shocking Results
My client — who eats well, trains consistently, and is in great shape — was expecting reasonable results.
Instead, the trainer told her (with a straight face) that she was 44% body fat and needed to lose 16 pounds!
Let me be clear:
- No trainer should ever tell a client how much weight they need to lose.
- And to tell a 130-pound healthy woman that she needs to lose 16 pounds? Completely ridiculous and unprofessional.
It doesn’t take an expert to know these results were wildly inaccurate. Suggesting that nearly half of this client’s body was fat is simply absurd.
This Isn’t an Isolated Case
Bodybuilding coach John Parrillo once shared a similar story involving one of his top female athletes. You can hear it for yourself at the 9:16 mark of this interview:
https://web.archive.org/web/20190423103310/https://inertiahealthandfitness.com/category/performance-podcast/
The Bottom Line
Bioelectric impedance can be influenced by several factors:
- Hydration status
- Body fluid levels
- Electrode placement
If you want a more accurate and reliable measure of body fat — especially for tracking progress — look to better methods like a DEXA scan or skinfold measurements. These not only provide greater accuracy but also show fat distribution throughout the body.
Learn more here → https://theelitetrainer.com/product/how-to-measure-your-clients-video-presentation/
![How to Measure Your Clients [Video Presentation]](https://theelitetrainer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/How-to-Measure-Your-Clients.png.webp)
How to Measure Your Clients [Video Presentation]
Many personal training certifications mention the importance of measuring clients to track changes in body composition, but very few of these organizations actually show you how to do it!
In this video presentation, you’ll be guided through a step-by-step approach for body measurements.
Learn a three-stage system to use when measuring clients along with the single most important measurement tool for maximum client retention.
