Scales are great, but here are a few other ways to measure body recomposition progress

Get clarity on your results

Last week, we discussed how to make the most of the scales sitting in your bathroom to evaluate changes in body composition. The scales are great, they are simple, cheap and accessible. However, total body mass (TBM) is an indirect measure of body composition and there are circumstances when changes in TBM don’t accurately reflect actual body composition changes.

The following assessment tools are handy in tandem with the scales to assess changes in body composition. Keep in mind these are simply useful tools and you can make progress with or without their use.

Body composition scans

Body composition scans provide an analysis of body composition — typically including muscle, fat, bone mineral density, fluid and segmental measurement. This analysis can be handy for quantifying gains in muscle and seeing where fat has been lost on your body.

There are two primary options for body composition scans: bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). BIA typically uses a handheld device and scales to assess body composition using an electrical impulse. It is relatively cheap, accessible, accurate and…