Healthy Heart Rate: Omron HBF-306C Fat Loss Monitor, Black Review

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!

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Product Description:
The Omron HBF-306C Body Fat Analyzer measures your body fat with a gentle, micro electrical current -- don't worry, you won't feel it. The key to long-term exercise success is accurate body fat composition measurement. This handheld body fat analyzer is an affordable and easy way to measure your body fat in the privacy of your own home. After inputting the data, a measurement can be started by simply holding the grip electrodes and pressing the start button. And since the analyzer is built with a nine person profile memory, each member of your family or team can track the success of their individual exercise routines.

The Omron HBF-306C measures body fat with a micro electrical current. Detailed view.

The screen displays body fat measurements and other data. Detailed view.

Easy-to-use, handheld design. The HBF-306C features two modes -- athlete and normal -- for accurate results. The device is a breeze to use, and it returns measurement results in seven seconds for both Bi method (Bioelectrical Impedance Method) and BMI (Body Mass Index). The unit displays the measured value of your body fat percentage through the BMI method, and indicates the body mass in for ranges from low, normal, high, and very high according to the BMI value.
What is the Bioelectrical Impedance Method?
Muscles, blood vessels and bones are body tissues having a high water content that conduct electricity easily. Body fat is tissue that has little electric conductivity. The Body Fat Analyzer sends an extremely weak electrical current of 50 kHz and 500 µA through your body to determine the amount of fat tissue. This weak electrical current is not felt while operating the Body Fat Analyzer. The Bioelectrical Impedance Method safely combines the electric resistance with the distance of the electricity conducted. Correct posture and consistent measuring conditions need to be maintained for the best results.
Operating the Analyzer
To use the HBF-306C you must first set your personal datYou must first select between the Normal and Athlete modes. To determine if you should select Normal or Athlete, you must calculate your FIT index by using the following formula:

Frequency is a single digit number from one to five that represents your frequency of exercise. If you exercise daily or almost daily, then use the number five; three to four times per week use four; one to two times per week use three; a few times per month use two; and for less than once a month use one. If you workout vigorously, then you use the number five to represent your intensity level; if you workout with moderate or light effort, use the number four.
Meanwhile, time is a single digit number from four to one that represents the duration of your workout. If you exercise for 45 minutes or more, then use the number four; 30-44 minutes use three; 15-29 minutes use two; and for less than 15 minutes use one. For example, if you run five times a week for 30 minutes, your FIT index would be 75 (5 x 5 x 3 = 75) and you would select the Athlete setting. If your FIT index is greater than 60, you should select the Athlete setting. Any number below would demand a normal setting.
After determining your FIT index and selecting between the Athlete and Normal setting, the remaining personal data is very straightforward. Simply enter your height, weight, age and gender. When all the data is fixed and stored, the analyzer screen will display "Ready," and you'll be ready to take your first body fat measurements.
Note: For the following cases, the body fat percentage measured by this unit may significantly differ from the actual body fat percentage.

Compare Omron Fitness Monitors
HB-400
HB-500
HBF-306
HR-100Measurement

Product PlacementFlat level floorFlat level floorHold in front of bodyWatch on wrist
Transmitter around chestMemory4 person profile
with previous reading4 person profile
1/7/30/90 day(s) memory9 person profileNoneWarranty1 Year1 Year1 Year1 YearBatteries4 "AA" (included)4 "AA" (included)2 "AA" (included)2 CR2032 3 volt (included)Estimated Battery LifeApprox. 1 year
(when used four times a day)Approx. 1 year
(when used four times a day)Approx. 1 year
(when used four times a day)Approx. 1 year
(varies depending on storage and use)
Q&A - Fitness Monitors

What is the Bioelectrical Impedance Method?
Bioelectrical Impedance (BI) is considered one of the most accurate and accessible methods of screening body fat. Muscles, blood vessels and bones are body tissues having a high water content that conduct electricity easily. Body fat is tissue that has little electric conductivity. The monitor sends an extremely weak electrical current through your body to determine the amount of fat tissue. Theweakelectrical current is not felt while operating the Body Fat Analyzer. The monitoris calculated by a formula thatincludes five factors; electric resistance,height,weight,ageandgender.
What is visceral fat?
Visceral fat is located around the organs. Too much visceral fat is thought to be closely linked to increased level of fat in the bloodstream, which can lead to common conditions such as high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Sedentary life style causes excess visceral fat, and exercise can reduce it quicker than subcutaneous fat (fat located under skin).
What is resting metabolism?
Resting metabolism is the energy to maintain vital functions and it counts 60 to 70% of total energy consumption. Knowing your resting metabolism can help your dietplan. If you can increase daily activity while keeping food intake at resting metabolism level, you can lose weight.
What is skeletal muscle?
Skeletal muscle is muscle attached to the bones that is used to move the body. If you do weight loss without exercise, you may lose skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle is important to maintain your resting metabolism as well as your functionality. Monitoring skeletal muscle during weight loss is key to avoid weight rebound in the future.

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