91 of 92 people found the following review helpful:
bad reviewers: knowledge is power!
I never buy anything without doing research on what to buy first. If you read about BMI analyzers on About.com it not only recommends this as one of their top 3 picks over ANY kind of body fat analyzer, but it also explains why some people didnt get the results expected on these comments...because of user error.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
Totally Worthless
This product is inconsistent. I can take five different readings in a row and receive five widely ranging different results. Save your money and look up the Navy body fat formula instead.
This review is from: Omron HBF-306C Fat Loss Monitor, Black (Health and Beauty)
I never buy anything without doing research on what to buy first. If you read about BMI analyzers on About.com it not only recommends this as one of their top 3 picks over ANY kind of body fat analyzer, but it also explains why some people didnt get the results expected on these comments...because of user error.
Most admit to using this first thing in the morning.
It says on about.com never to do that. For accurate readings, use 3 hours after a meal, never first thing in the morning, (you are dehydrated then) never use when dehydrated, but you should use after emptying your bladder. (remember it's guaging what percent of you is muscle vs water so you want your body water to be balanced and normal...not too low with dehydration, not too high with a full bladder.) Also it's best to use this, or any monitor, when unclothed if possible. Ive found that part not to matter that much as everyone at my office borrows this sometimes and, because bare workers would be awkward, we've found it to read accurately clothed. :-)
Also, if you have a very high muscle mass and a very low BMI set it on "athlete" for an accurate reading. So yes, even bodybuilders CAN use it...you just have to know how.
This explained those who had problems and the unbiased rating on the aformentioned website (and others) states that this is WAY more accurate than calipers...made me buy it. I"d used it before at the gym and it was always great. But before I purchase on my own, I learn.
I use mine often and it is right on target as to what's going on with my body. A handheld non-electronic (or even electronic if it's the kind you place ON your fat) caliper will vary if you do not measure the EXACTLY in the same place each time and squeeze to the exact resistance. You avoid that common error via this latest technology.This has the latest.
I bought this one because or reading about what technology works the best from consumer tests by the experts. And I am happy with my purchase.
As an aside, I also discovered the scales that do fat testing through your feet are not as accurate as this method of testing either, even the Omron scale didnt test for accuracy as well as this Omron fat tester.
So I thought I'd share what i found in my week of research prior to purchase.
I love this body fat analyzer and my friends who have used it got their own as well. If you are bloated, your scale can't tell you why your weight is up. This can. And some days, I thank it for that!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Omron HBF-306C Fat Loss Monitor, Black (Health and Beauty)
I highly recommend the Omron fat loss monitor for anybody who is serious about monitoring their body fat.
Why I Recommend It:
1. EASY to use. It's almost dummy-proof
2. Inexpensive. For less than $26 you can have it delivered (Super-Saver shipping) including batteries.
3. I don't need help to use it. I don't know of any other method that you can do in the privacy of your home each and every day with the exception of calipers. And you need somebody else to use the calipers on you. Since they're only accurate if that person knows what he/she is doing and measures you in the exact same place each time, I think it's just easy to get a monitor.
4. Quick. I can take a measurement in about 10 seconds.
General Thoughts/Suggestions:
1. The instruction manual mentions this also but... Make sure to take the measurement at the same time each day. I take my measurements right before I leave the house for work before I've eaten or drank anything for the day.
2. Don't expect the results to be perfect. If the measurement tells you that you're 16% body fat, that's probably pretty close to what you actually are. But depending on how much water you've had to drink, how recently you've exercised, how recently you've eaten, etc., the reading could go up to 17% or down to 15%. It's best to be consistent with when you take your measurements and to use the monitor as a guide to tell you if you're gaining or losing. I think of it as a fat loss compass... not a fat loss GPS.
3. Make sure that you keep your stats updated in the computer memory. I'm on a fat loss routine right now. I've lost 15 lbs since I began using the Omron monitor. It only takes a second to update your personal stats in the monitor's memory. But you need to do it. Otherwise it'll give you an inaccurate reading.
All in all, I'd say this is a great investment. Yes, you can lose body fat without using a monitor. But it is also possible to lose weight without losing body fat (i.e. water weight or muscle). I'm constantly tweaking my diet and workout routine to keep that percentage dropping. Without the monitor I'd be in the dark and I'm confident that I wouldn't have seen the progress that I've seen thus far.
Good luck & good health!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Omron HBF-306C Fat Loss Monitor, Black (Health and Beauty)
This is a great hand held body fat analyzer. Very accurate, consistent readings and very user friendly. It takes about one minute to set up the personal information that it needs and takes a few seconds to get the body fat readings, very fast.
I was a little worried about buying this item because the lack of reviews but did notice another Omron HBF-306 fat Analyzer that had alot reviews. I don't know why this item doesn't have as many reviews as the other Omron HBF-306 fat Analyzer, when it is the exact same product, plus what made me buy this one instead of the other is it's cheaper and free shipping. So overall great product for the price.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Omron HBF-306C Fat Loss Monitor, Black (Health and Beauty)
As a personal trainer I was interested to see how this product worked. I had read about them quite a bit. I have to say it is actually pretty accurate. It is not a dead on read but it is close and it is very user friendly. Just keep in mind that you want to try and use it at the same time of day every time for the most consistent reading. Overall a good product that is worth the money.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
I've had the HBF-306 for quite a while, but I didn't think it worked very effectively because I was getting a wide array of results within moments. But I recently noticed that the results changed depending on how high or low I held the unit, so I did a search online for the proper usage. I found only one site that mentioned that you need to hold the unit at 90degrees, so I tried that and I've found that it is very consistent since then. I don't know if it mentioned that in the instructions and I just ignored it, but make sure you don't!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Omron HBF-306C Fat Loss Monitor, Black (Health and Beauty)
If you're trying to maintain a healthy weight - or reach one - then a fat monitor can be key. Being 150 pounds and 50% fat is much different than being 150 pounds at 20% fat!
If you haven't used an electronic fat monitor before, here is how they work. You enter your height and weight. This gives the monitor a rough idea of how long an electrical current should take to go in one end of you and out the other. Then you hold two plates in your hands, and it sends a quick electrical message in one hand and out the other. It doesn't hurt at all - you can't feel it at all. But by tracking the speed of the signal, the monitor knows how dense your body is. That tells it what percentage of you is fat, and what percentage is other stuff (muscle, water, etc.)
How is this helpful? Well, your aim as you lose weight is to be less and less fat. Fat is large, unhealthy and bulky. Muscle is slim and actively burns calories. Don't think of gaining muscle as bulking up like Conan. Think of it as gaining lean active muscle like a ballerina or a dancer. It means you can climb stairs more easily, lift items more easily, and your overall shape will be much slimmer.
So, how well does this Ormon monitor work? We've tried it out with many people now. It stores up to 9 settings inside it, and it's really easy for a guest to instantly use it as well. You just enter your height, weight and age. It instantly knows your BMI based on that since BMI is just weight and height. Then you hold the two sides for a few moments and it tells you your body fat as well. Quick, easy, painless. We use this several times a day, just to play with it and see the progress we're making.
There are many times when you're losing weight that it seems you "aren't losing weight". But really, you are converting from fat to muscle and fat is thick and light while muscle is thin and heavy. So for example you might go from a 38" waist to a 34" waist and still "weigh the same". This is good overall, because you are slimmer, healthier, and it means that going forward it'll be even easier for you to lose the remaining weight! So seeing that progression with your body fat can be very encouraging.
Highly recommended!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Omron HBF-306C Fat Loss Monitor, Black (Health and Beauty)
While dieting I don't want to loose any muscle. The Omron keeps me informed of what I'm doing.
It's real easy to use. Takes just seconds to know where you stand in reaching your goal. Other reviews state that it is not very accurate or consistent, but they aren't using it right. The read outs will vary if you have just eaten or drank anything. It uses a bioelectrical impedance analysis to estimate your BFI. If you have consumed anything within 2 hours of testing yourself then this thing will give you a higher %.
Just use it in the morning before you eat and it should be quite consistent.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Omron HBF-306C Fat Loss Monitor, Black (Health and Beauty)
Years ago, I bought a fat monitoring scale, and am thrilled with the idea of seeing what my body fat percentage is. Traveling was a problem because the scale was too cumbersome to take with me. This device fits easily into luggage, and as long as my destination includes a scale, I'm set. The only problem I have with the device is in the number of clicks for a single use. 1 Turn device on. 2 Tell it I'm user #1. 3 Confirm that my height is the same it was last time. 4 Confirm that my gender is the same as it was last time. 5 Confirm that my age is the same as it was last time. 6+ As many clicks as necessary to adjust my weight by half-pound increments since last time. 7 press the Start button. Considering that height, gender, and age change very slowly over one's lifetime and weight is changing constantly, I would have preferred if they ask for the weight first.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Omron HBF-306C Fat Loss Monitor, Black (Health and Beauty)
I was a little skeptical when I bought this, but I wanted a more accurate method of analyzing my overall body fat. I've been gaining weight, but not loosing any midsection fat - this tool lets me know I'm putting on muscle - not just fat pounds. I've decided to incorporate more cardio because of this tool and now I'm seeing the results I wanted - I lost 2 inches so far.
I've found it very easy to use - didn't even need the intstruction manual to get going - but I would reccommend reviewing for tips on usage like some of the other reveiwers have mentioned. And always chart yourself to keep track of your progress.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Omron HBF-306C Fat Loss Monitor, Black (Health and Beauty)
This is a pretty cool item, as it stores about 12 different profiles. Thing is, you have to hold your arms at the exact same level every time for an accurate reading. I do it 2 out of 3 times, and use the common number. For the price, you can't beat it. Sure, it's not 100%, but it's pretty darn close. +/- 1% off I think.
Worth having if fitness is important in your life.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
