While Americans have quarantined for the past few months, it is clear that finding available and effective exercise has been relatively difficult due to all gyms closed. Because clients are not following their usual routine and visiting their local gym, along with the time restraints and stress of COVID-19, many have lost their motivation and time to keep in shape throughout this unprecedented period.
As a result, many Americans may feel insecure about their bodies, as without working out, one’s body may not remain as healthy and energetic. At this moment, some Americans would like to know more about themselves such as how much they weigh, their body fat percentage, their muscle mass, and other calculations. To meet this demand in the past, many gyms implemented machines that determine these body factors, including InBody: a medical-based body composition analyzer. However, due to the circumstances of COVID-19, body composition analyzers such as InBody could be in high demand beyond local gyms and even present in households across the nation.
How To Use InBody
To use the InBody machine, the user stands on the platform barefoot, enters their height and age, and places their thumbs on the two sensors with straight arms. The key part of the machine is the sensors, which use Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) technology to measure total body water by reading the impedance of low-level currents within the human body. Along with total body water, the machine can also measure weight, body fat percentage, and muscle mass, creating an overall representation of the user’s body and health. Before scanning, it is recommended to not drink a great amount of water or eat to restrict fluctuations in the user’s data due to recent activity. Additionally, InBody only takes a few minutes to completely calculate the user’s body composition, which makes the process swift and efficient.
Is It Accurate?
With all body composition analyzers, accuracy is crucial to their success, as due to the many necessary and detailed body calculations, they are subject to a great deal of error. However, compared to a DEXA scan, InBody is 98 percent more accurate, which is considered to be the “gold standard” in the market. At the end of the day, these machines have to provide a large target market with very specific and personal details about their bodies, which is extremely difficult. Yet, InBody has seemed to master this blockade, as it is imperative for the machine to supply the most accurate information to avoid misleading their user. As a result, users display a great deal of trust in the InBody machine, as even though the machine costs between $5,000 and $9,000, the company has distributed thousands of units to gyms, hospitals, and other locations nationwide.
Significance
The significance of body composition analyzers is very drastic, as they can help any individual assess their body. More importantly, the results of InBody can influence Americans to begin a new healthy lifestyle post-quarantine. Furthermore, If the user can regularly check-in on their progress, they will be able to decipher whether their workout plan or lifestyle is successful, and if not, what alternatives they should consider. So, body composition analyzers are beneficial for all humans as anyone can use them and become a healthier person through their tracking of key body calculations. Additionally, considering the restrictions of COVID-19, body composition analyzer machines such as InBody may be more important than ever before, considering the high expected demand. So, if you have ever wondered what your body looks like after being stuck in quarantine for a few months, getting a body composition scan at an InBody location or your local gym would be very effective.
Psychological Effects
However, these machines can be very addicting, especially for people who put a lot of work and thought into their bodies. Consequently, some people use these machines daily to see their progress; while this is a good initiative, it is unhealthy. Machines such as InBody are made to occasionally showcase your body and not become a daily or weekly routine. Instead, users need to give themselves enough time between visits to their local InBody machine, as becoming too obsessed with your body can negatively impact your outside life, decisions, and attitude. For these reasons, it is smart to not become too invested in these machines despite their massive benefits. Instead, users should see body composition scans similarly to a doctor visit, which doesn’t happen that often. But, once it does, the patient (or client) will learn crucial information about their health and body. Of course, everyone will have different schedules to use machines such as InBody, but it is advised to not use the resource excessively.
In all, while InBody is proven to be an accurate and great resource, it is recommended to be smart with your usage of the machine and to not lower your head if you miss your target goals. The machine isn’t always going to grant the user great news, as they are not skewed to “make the user feel better.” Instead, body composers like InBody are meant to encourage users to maintain a healthy lifestyle to reach their wanted bodies. After quarantine concludes, many Americans will leave their houses with this goal in mind, and body composition analyzers such as InBody will be a great helper to everyone in getting back to fitness.
Kyle Banker 