InBody uses Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to measure body composition. It sends a safe, low-level electrical current through the body to measure the resistance of different tissues (like water, muscle, and fat).
Multiple Frequencies: It uses both high and low frequencies to look at water both inside and outside your cells.
Segmental Measurement: It breaks the body into five separate cylinders (the trunk, arms, and legs) rather than treating the body as a single mass.
No Empirical Estimates: Unlike basic home impedance scales, InBody's technology calculates values using direct impedance measurements without relying on statistical guesses based on your age or gender.
The chart below highlights how a professional-grade InBody scale compares directly to a medical DEXA scan:
| Feature | InBody Scale (BIA) | DEXA Scan (X-Ray) |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Multi-frequency electrical currents | Low-dose dual-energy X-rays |
| Body Fat Error | ±3% to 5% (tends to read lower) | ±1% to 2% (highly precise) |
| Visceral Fat | Broadly estimated (low clinical agreement) | Directly measured (highly accurate) |
| Bone Density | Cannot measure | Accurately measures |
| Testing Fluctuation | High (sensitive to food, water, exercise) | Very low (fluid shifts rarely alter results) |
