Why InBody?

It should come as no surprise that at TrainSMART we like to use the S.M.A.R.T. approach to goal setting. S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Although we often hear clients come in with a goal of weight loss, it isn’t until we dig deeper with this technique that we discover the true goal of fat loss. Not all weight loss is the same, and at TrainSMART we have found the InBody to be an extremely helpful tool to more accurately track progress towards not just weight loss, but improved body composition.

The InBody is a BIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis) device that sends small electric current through body tissue and measures the impedance (the effective resistance of an electric current). Different tissue types will have different levels of impedance, and measuring this resistance allows the body composition to be calculated. However, not all BIA devices are created equal. First, most devices only utilize 2 or 4 electrodes compared to the 8 electrodes with the InBody. Furthermore, these electrodes are placed at both the hands and feet, while others are only the hands or feet. These strategically placed electrodes produce more accurate and reproducible measurements, and allow for direct segmental measurements of the body’s five cylinders (Torso, right arm, left arm, right leg, and left leg). Second, the equations used to interpret the impedance measurements for most devices use empirical estimations based onage, gender, and other  variables. Not InBody, their measurements don’t include these estimations because fat is fat and muscle is muscle whether you are a man or woman, old or young. Finally, the InBody also produces multiple frequencies of electrical currents to better measure the different matter and tissue of the body, including water composition. All of these differences set the InBody apart from other BIA devices. That is why it is the industry leader, and most accurate BIA device that we know of. But why use a BIA device?

Although measuring your weight is helpful, it is not a complete picture of what that weight is made up of. What most people mean when they say weight loss, is actually fat loss, and that cannot be measured with a basic scale. The measurements provided by the InBody allow us to measure variables more relevant to our clients goals. This includes more than just body fat percentage and body fat mass. Some clients may wish to gain muscle mass, and we are able to see how their training is affecting changes in their skeletal muscle mass and dry lean mass. With the relevance and accuracy of these measurements, we are much better able to track the progress of our clients S.M.A.R.T. goals that are specific to them and their needs. Add on how fast and simple the InBody is to use, and there is no wonder why we have found it to be such an effective tool for tracking progress and motivating clients to get their results they desire.