Recommendations for scale?

[NYUBwayBaby]

Hi! So, after having a bad two years I kinda put on a lot of weight. I went to the gym a bit last semester, but I didn't really push myself and, due to the fact that I can't cook and ate out a lot, ended up heavier than I was at the beginning.
Anyway, I'm actually pushing myself now and have started changing the way I eat. The problem is the only scale I currently have access to is the one in the girl's locker room, which is very temperamental. Out of curiosity I weighed myself once before and once after a workout on the same day. There was a 7 lb difference!
I'm looking at investing in a decent scale for my room. My boyfriend suggested I get one that measures body fat, not BMI. I was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations on what scales I should or should not look into...

 

[FireDancer]

Hi! So, after having a bad two years I kinda put on a lot of weight. I went to the gym a bit last semester, but I didn't really push myself and, due to the fact that I can't cook and ate out a lot, ended up heavier than I was at the beginning.
Anyway, I'm actually pushing myself now and have started changing the way I eat. The problem is the only scale I currently have access to is the one in the girl's locker room, which is very temperamental. Out of curiosity I weighed myself once before and once after a workout on the same day. There was a 7 lb difference!
I'm looking at investing in a decent scale for my room. My boyfriend suggested I get one that measures body fat, not BMI. I was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations on what scales I should or should not look into...

Don't waste your money on a scale that measures body fat. They are very inaccurate. I get my body fat measured with skin calipers at least once a year so I know mine and those scales, along with the devices you hold, have never even been close.

The most accurate will always be an upright mechanical scale, the ones the doctors office has that look like:

But since those are neither cheap nor fit well in a normal bathroom/dorm room I checked online for some recommendations. Consumer reports reported the two most accurate were the Taylor 7506 and the Tanita HS-302

 

[cewait]

Don't waste your money on a scale that measures body fat. They are very inaccurate. I get my body fat measured with skin calipers at least once a year so I know mine and those scales, along with the devices you hold, have never even been close.

The most accurate will always be an upright mechanical scale, the ones the doctors office has that look like:

But since those are neither cheap nor fit well in a normal bathroom/dorm room. Consumer reports reported the two most accurate were the Taylor 7506 and the Tanita HS-302

I will echo the BF issue. Impedance based BF measure can vary by 3-9% based on hydration levels.

I have a Tanita scale and have no issues with an electrical scale. Actually, for the home use, electrical seems to be a better choice since home version mechanical scales can wear losing efficiency and calibration.

I would also note that skin fold body fat testing, while superior to impedance (scales), also carries error. I would suggest that testing more than once annually is preferred and only using one technician. The reason for more often is because the technician will have a slight variance in their technique that if you see them every other month or so will not have a huge affect. Obviously different people will have slightly different techniques that can create a source of error.

 

[FireDancer]

I will echo the BF issue. Impedance based BF measure can vary by 3-9% based on hydration levels.

I've had measurements more then 4x's my actual BF% using those things.

 

[cewait]

I've had measurements more then 4x's my actual BF% using those things.

the 3-9% was drinking a quart of water and showering then remeasuring. Tanita also has two impedance sensitivites that also vary wildly

 

[Octoberbride03]

Don't waste your money on a scale that measures body fat. They are very inaccurate. I get my body fat measured with skin calipers at least once a year so I know mine and those scales, along with the devices you hold, have never even been close.

The most accurate will always be an upright mechanical scale, the ones the doctors office has that look like:

But since those are neither cheap nor fit well in a normal bathroom/dorm room I checked online for some recommendations. Consumer reports reported the two most accurate were the Taylor 7506 and the Tanita HS-302

I have the 7506 and i can tell you without a doubt that is accurate. Had a Dr's appointment yesterday and both scales gave me the exact same weight wearing clothes but no shoes. Its just a basic weight scale, which is all I really want. I've had it almost as long as I've been married, so that's 6+ years of accurate weight. Just need to make sure its on a very stable floor. My bathroom tile floor works best. My wood laminate is not as good for some reason.

 

[NYUBwayBaby]

Thanks for the recommendations- I ended up getting the Taylor 7506 when I went out to Target today.