My Expertise with the Bod Pod

Many moons in the past after I was a well being coach, a part of my providers included measuring physique fats proportion with calipers. It all the time felt just a little awkward pinching somebody’s arm, stomach, and leg however it was the very best methodology we had accessible on the time. I nonetheless personal these calipers, however physique composition has now gone excessive tech within the type of the Bod Pod.

The Bod Pod is a “gold commonplace” physique composition monitoring system that makes use of air displacement expertise to precisely measure physique fats proportion and fat-free mass in about 5-10 minutes. It’s a protected, non-invasive, egg-shaped chamber and the outcomes are sometimes used for health planning, weight administration, and monitoring progress over time.

Once I noticed it supplied as an expertise when mother and I have been visiting Canyon Ranch, I jumped on it. I adopted the recommendation to not train, eat, or drink caffeine for at the least 2 hours prior and confirmed up carrying a showering swimsuit (and a gown). After a quick introduction on the method together with a take a look at run with an empty pod so I might right here the sound of the air displacement and perceive what to anticipate, I used to be handed my cap (like a swimmers cap) and climbed inside.

I nearly requested her to take my image however felt just a little foolish doing so 😉

We did two runs, every taking about 45 seconds, and that was it! I might really feel like puffs of air and my ears popped just a little, however in addition to the chilly seat I used to be sitting on, there was no discomfort in anyway.

She opened the pod, I popped out and placed on my gown, and we met subsequent door in her workplace to go over the outcomes. It helped that I used to be accustomed to a variety of phrases – physique fats proportion, lean physique mass, and so on. Let’s check out the print out:

This was the print out she introduced in to go over with me. It reveals my physique fats proportion and my fats free mass. I used to be instructed the stats are compared to different ladies my similar age and ethnicity, although the true worth is to match your outcomes over time, to not others.

Some takeaways from this evaluation:

• I’m 24% physique fats, which is in a wholesome zone.
• I’ve 89 lbs of fats free mass (something not fats together with muscle, bone, organs, and so on) and the aim for my peak, weight, and age is 90+

This was attention-grabbing to me, however I needed a deeper dive. I requested if my aim was to extend my fats free mass (muscle) to 92 lbs from 89, would it not be wiser for me to deal with constructing muscle or shedding fats. As we dived into this dialog subject, she had me wait whereas she printed off a second web page.

When she returned I used to be thrilled as a result of this was the data I used to be extra inquisitive about than the straightforward stat of my fats proportion. I needed info I might act on and this was it:

I discovered this web page to be SO far more useful, so if you happen to get the evaluation, please ensure you ask for this print out as nicely.

This web page helped me see that I’m within the higher vary of an athletic stage of physique fats. That I really feel high quality about, however longevity-focused aim is to realize extra muscle. Once I requested her if my aim ought to be to lose some fats or deal with gaining muscle, the reply was clear: muscle! So we dived into caloric expenditure.

Your RMR (additionally known as BMR) is the energy your physique wants to simply keep alive if you happen to have been mendacity in mattress all day (1097 for me). Your Complete Vitality Expenditure (TEE) is the variety of energy you want based mostly in your exercise stage. I instructed her about my everyday life and train schedule and he or she decided I used to be within the lively group, that means my physique wants 1909 energy a day to keep up my present stage of health.

Since my aim is to realize muscle, I really need a small surplus of energy with a deal with protein to perform this. Aiming for 2100ish energy per day with 120g of protein can be a very good place to start out, whereas additionally maintaining with centered power coaching 4 days per week.

This info was tremendous useful to me as a result of I feel I’ve really been undereating for this aim. I don’t observe macros, however given my intensive expertise in doing so, I estimate I’ve been consuming nearer to 1600-1800 energy a day.

Have I misplaced you but? haha 🙂

As a well being information fanatic (as a result of that sounds nicer than nerd), I like these items. It’s one of many causes I like Perform Well being a lot.

Will I begin monitoring energy and macros on My Health Pal to hit these targets? Possibly for a day or two out of curiosity, however actually, in all probability not. However I’ll proceed to tailor my meals with a deal with protein and fiber and attempt to enhance my caloric consumption just a little as nicely.

Total I discovered the Bod Pod to be a really priceless expertise. I’d like to do it once more in a 12 months to see how my physique composition shifts. As we age, muscle turns into more and more vital for longevity so to have that data and information on what my particular physique wants to extend it’s so useful.

Have you ever accomplished a physique composition evaluation? Would you wish to if given the chance?