How to Use and Interpret the InBody Scan
- Sports Village
- May 3
- 3 min read
What does your weight really represent? When you step on a scale, you can’t see how much muscle or fat you have—all you see is a number with no context.
Go beyond the scale with the InBody Test, a non-invasive, quick, and accurate body composition analysis that provides a detailed breakdown of your weight in terms of muscle, fat, and water. Your comprehensive yet easy-to-understand measurements will display on an InBody Result Sheet in 15-120 seconds, depending on the model. No more pinching. No more dunking. Get results you can trust so you can reach your health and fitness goals with precision and actionable objectives.
The Inbody Is a body composition analyzer that uses bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to measure whats inside your body beyond just weight. Here is a quick rundown of how it works.
You stand on the device and hold hand electrodes away from your body. The device sends a very low electical current through your body.
Different tissues (muscle, fat, water) resist the current differently, so the machine can measure:
* Total Body Water (TBW)
* Muscle Mass (Skeletal Muscle Mass)
* Visceral Fat Level
* Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Segmental Analysis- it breaks down muscle and fat levels in each limb and your trunk.
No guessing or input needed- Unlike older BIA devices, InBody doesnt estimate based on age gender, or fitness level. It uses direct measurements.
It's fast, non-invasive and commonly used in gyms, clinics, and wellness centeres to track fitness or health progress.
Here is what your results mean and how to use it to reach your goals.
1. Body Composition Analysis
This shows the weight breakdown:
Total Body Water (TBW): Water inside and outside your cells.
Dry Lean Mass: Bone, connective tissue, organs, etc.
Body Fat Mass: Total fat in your body.
✅ Use it to: Monitor hydration and lean mass vs. fat mass.
2. Muscle-Fat Analysis
Weight: Your total weight.
Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM): Muscles used for movement. This is your key muscle metric.
Body Fat Mass: Again, but for comparison in this chart.
✅ Use it to: See if your weight changes are due to fat loss or muscle gain.
3. Obesity Analysis
BMI (Body Mass Index): A general health metric, but limited.
Percent Body Fat (PBF): Much more important than BMI. Tells you how much of your body is fat.
✅ Use it to: Track body fat percentage more than BMI. Aim for:
Men: 10–20% (athletic: 6–13%)
Women: 18–28% (athletic: 14–20%)
4. Segmental Lean Analysis
Breaks down muscle mass in each limb and your trunk.
✅ Use it to:
Spot imbalances (e.g., left leg vs. right leg).
Track muscle growth in specific areas.
5. ECW/TBW Ratio
Normal Range: 0.360–0.390
Higher ratios may indicate inflammation, fluid retention, or injury.
✅ Use it to: Check if you’re recovering well or have potential health issues.
6. Body Fat–Lean Balance / Weight Control
Shows how much:
Fat you should lose
Muscle you should gain
Adjusted target weight
✅ Use it to: Set realistic and personalized goals.
7. Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
This is the number of calories your body burns at rest.
✅ Use it to:
Set calorie intake (add more for activity level).
Support fat loss (deficit) or muscle gain (surplus).
📈 How to Use InBody Results to Change Your Body
✅ Goal: Lose Fat
Focus on reducing body fat mass and PBF.
Create a calorie deficit (BMR + activity level – 500).
Prioritize resistance training to preserve SMM.
Track fat loss over time; not just weight loss.
✅ Goal: Build Muscle
Watch SMM and segmental lean analysis grow.
Eat in a calorie surplus (BMR + activity level + 250–500).
Progressive overload training is key.
Ensure adequate protein intake (~0.8–1g per lb of lean body mass).
✅ Goal: Body Recomposition (Lose Fat & Gain Muscle)
Focus on increasing SMM and lowering PBF.
Maintain calorie balance or slight deficit.
Strength train consistently.
Adjust based on monthly scan trends.
Conclusion:
The InBody Scan is far more than just a high-tech scale—it's a powerful tool that gives you a clear, detailed picture of your body composition and health. Whether you're aiming to lose fat, build muscle, or simply understand your body better, these scans provide actionable insights that go far beyond traditional metrics like weight or BMI. By regularly tracking your progress and using the data to adjust your nutrition and training, you can make smarter, more effective decisions on your fitness journey. In short, the InBody Scan turns guesswork into strategy—and that's a game-changer.
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