For decades, we’ve relied on the bathroom scale to tell us if we’re “doing well.” But the truth is, your weight says very little about your health.

Two people can weigh exactly the same, and have completely different bodies: one might carry excess fat and little muscle, while the other has high lean mass and low fat.

So the real question is not how much you weigh, but what that weight is made of. That’s why understanding your body composition – and how it’s measured – is crucial.

Common Methods for Measuring Body Composition

Over time, different tools have emerged to estimate body composition. Some are widely available but inaccurate. Others require advanced tech and deliver medical-grade insights.

Here’s a breakdown:

1. Regular Scale

• What it measures: Total weight.
• Pros: Fast, cheap, everywhere.
• Cons: Tells you nothing about fat or muscle.
• Accuracy: Very low. Doesn’t measure body composition.

2. Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA)

• What it estimates: Body fat and lean mass via electric currents.
• Where it’s used: Smart home scales, InBody machines at gyms.
• Pros: Convenient, quick.
• Cons: Easily affected by hydration, food intake, time of day, exercise, and more.
• Accuracy: Low. Error rates can reach up to 80%.

3. Skinfold Calipers

• What it estimates: Fat thickness in specific body areas.
• Used by: Trained professionals.
• Pros: Low-cost, portable.
• Cons: Skill-dependent. Doesn’t measure muscle or visceral fat.
• Accuracy: Moderate, but limited in scope.

4. DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry)

• What it measures: Fat, lean mass, bone density, and fat distribution by region.
• Where it’s done: Medical clinics and centres like TIVEN.
• Pros: Clinical precision, comprehensive data, repeatable over time.
• Cons: Requires specialist equipment. Minimal radiation (less than a short-haul flight).
• Accuracy: Very high. Less than 2% margin of error. Considered the gold standard.

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So, What’s the Best Way to Measure Your Body?

The answer is simple: DEXA scanning is the most accurate and comprehensive method available.

That’s why hospitals, elite sports teams, and medical professionals use it – and why TIVEN brings this technology to you, paired with advanced data visualisation and a membership model that encourages consistency.

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Why Does It Matter?

Because losing weight isn’t always good.

If you’re losing muscle and gaining fat, that scale is lying to you.

Because visceral fat is invisible – and dangerous.

And because understanding your body with precision is the first step to improving it intelligently.

One Scan is a Snapshot. Repeat Scans Are a Story.

We recommend scanning every three months – just like elite athletes do.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about making progress with real data.

Book your TIVEN and start measuring what matters.

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