Body Composition
Why we got the InBody 380, and what you can expect.
by Melissa Charlton
Every trainer and staff member at MBodied Strength has struggled with their body image and self love. Every one of us. Because of this, we spend a lot of time trying to differentiate ourselves from other studios whose sole purpose (it seems) is to make you feel like you need to lose weight.
Our mission is to help you become the strongest version of yourself, not the smallest.
With this in mind, we talk more about gaining muscle, increasing range of motion, developing your stamina, building bone density, and adding more tensile strength to your joints.
I’ve been thinking long and hard about whether to invest in an InBody Machine, and I finally decided it was a good investment. Why? It’s good to have a baseline measurement for any and all your goals.
If you have a history of body dysmorphia or eating disorders, you might choose to eschew stepping on and learning where you are now. And I want to say that there is no pressure to take this test, if you feel like it’s going to negatively affect your goals and mental health. However, for those who want to track their muscle-gaining goals, fat-loss goals or hydration goals, this tool is one of the best methods available. Here’s how it works:
The InBody 380 is a Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis machine. Essentially, it calculates body composition based on the electrical conductivity of the body's tissues. What is conductive to electrical current? Water. What holds a lot of water? Muscle! Therefore, by sending a gentle current through the body and measuring electrical resistance, BIA machines are a non-invasive way to measure body composition. And when proper steps are followed for accurate measurements, the InBody 380 has a 98% accuracy rate, when compared against a Dexa scan.
If you have a pace maker or are pregnant, you cannot use the device. Gentle electric currents are not good for either of these situations.
Now that we’ve said that, here’s what to do to get the most accurate results:
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day leading up to the scan.
Avoid eating or drinking anything other than water for at least 3 hours before the scan.
Do not consume caffeine or alcohol for 24 hours before the scan.
Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 6-12 hours before the scan.
Wear light, comfortable clothing that does not cover your hands or feet.
Remove large jewelry, watches, or belts.
Remove socks and shoes.
Stand upright for at least 5 minutes before the scan.
Wipe your hands and feet with an InBody wipe (it adds a little salt to your skin, for better conductivity, and clears away any oils)
Empty your bladder before the scan.
If you are menstruating, inform the technician.
Allow enough time for the scan, which usually takes around 5 minutes.
“But Melissa, I cannot avoid coffee for 24 hours, I’ll die!”
Honestly, same. And since we want to measure you every 4-6 weeks to track your progress, it’s more important to get a baseline and test in the same conditions every time. So if you have coffee at 7am every day? Keep doing that. Just don’t eat right before the test, and try to hydrate the best you can up until an hour before the test.
“Ok, but when can I take the test? Do I need an appointment?”
That would be preferred, yes. Especially if you want someone to go through the test with you the first time. In that situation, please reach out to your trainer to schedule a 30 minute Strategy Session to book your first test. Following that, you can self-test.
“How do I view my results?”
There are a few ways to view your results:
Print out. If we know you’ve taken the test, we can simply jump into the office and grab it for you off the printer.
PDF emailed to you. Again, let us know, and we’ll send you the results.
The InBody App. When you take the test, it will ask for your phone number. Then you can scan a qr code to download the app and register your phone number. This allows you to track and view your results easily in your own time, even if you use another facility’s machine.
If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask your trainer or myself. Happy training, and we’ll see you soon!
Melissa Charlton
Founder, NASM CPT, GGS Menopause Specialist
I am inspired by my mother, who gave it her all to give us a better life. Leaving a bad marriage but still needing to raise four children, my mom did everything she could to make ends meet. This meant learning new skills and working 16-hour days, constantly wearing herself down and pouring from an empty cup. She’s my hero, but she’s also my cautionary tale.
Now I'm a mother and a business owner, and I owe it to my son and my community to prioritize myself while I build a business that supports women just like her. I consider it my honor to teach you how to take better care of YOU. So you can be the leader your people need. Proper self-care makes it possible for you to give the best of you, rather than just the rest of you.