Tanita Segmental Body Composition Monitor with Body Fat/Muscle Analyser - BC545

Tanita Based on the very latest technology and research in body composition monitoring, Tanita has created a new generation of products that allow personalized in-depth and accurate readings to be taken. 5 Segmental Readings are given - one for each arm, leg and the trunk area. The user stands on four footplates on the platform of the scale and gently pulls the hand electrodes that are conveniently housed in the base using retractable connecting cables. The monitor will then send a safe low signal from the 8 hand and footplate electrodes through the body. The resistance to the measurement (known as Bio-electrical Impedance Analysis or BIA) is then fed into researched equations to provide accurate and personalized body composition readings. Designed for the dedicated sports and fitness person to assess the impact of any training routine on their total and segmental body composition, this totally unique product gives individual body composition readings for each of 5 body segments each arm, each leg and the trunk area. The retractable hand-grips allow full body composition to be taken quickly and with increased accuracy. A calendar function is included, and comparison graphs show a history for each segment of the body and for each of the body composition readings, so that the user can see their progress, day by day, week by week and month by month over a 3 year period. The backlit buttons and animated illustrations are clear and user-friendly, and the scales come with batteries included and a 3 year guarantee. .

Why do I need to monitor my body fat?

We all need some body fat to be healthy. It's vital for basic body functions like regulating body temperature, storing vitamins and cushioning joints and organs. But too much fat can damage your health and could put you at greater risk of developing serious medical conditions. Excess body fat is known to contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes mellitus and some forms of cancer.* Visceral Fat (Abdominal Fat) is the fat that surrounds the vital organs on the trunk / stomach area of the body. High Visceral Fat levels increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Lowering Visceral Fat levels can stabilise insulin action substantially, and reduce the risk of diabetes and other related illnesses.*2

Body fat is not always visible to the naked eye. You may have an acceptable weight and figure, but could still be carrying more body fat than you think. Weight alone cannot distinguish between the pounds that come from body fat and those that come from lean body tissue, such as muscle and bone. By using a Tanita Body Fat / Body Composition Monitor, you can keep a regular check on your body fat levels, helping you stay within the healthy ranges. Reducing excess body fat will help you improve your body shape and appearance. You'll feel better, look better and enjoy a better, fitter quality of life.

Innerscan Our revolutionary new InnerScan range provides information never before available from a consumer scale. Anyone who is serious about improving their total health and fitness will be able to see their personal progress. The monitors use Bioelectric Impedance Analysis (BIA) to monitor multiple components of overall health. The results are analyzed along with gender, age, height and weight for the most accurate and comprehensive at-home reading ever available. Measurements include Weight, Body Fat %, Body Water %, Basal Metabolic Rate, Metabolic Age, Bone Mass, Muscle Mass, Physique Rating, and exclusive to Tanita Visceral Fat Rating. The Innerscan range of monitors are covered by a 3-year guarantee and include batteries and full instructions. How the BC-545 works The user stands on four footplates on the platform of the scale and gently pulls the hand electrodes that are conveniently housed in the base using retractable connecting cables. The monitor will then send a safe low signal from the 8 hand and footplate electrodes through the body. The resistance to the measurement (known as Bio-electrical Impedance Analysis or BIA) is then fed into researched equations to provide accurate and personalized body composition readings.

How much body fat is healthy?

Your Tanita Monitor will automatically compare your personal body fat reading to the Healthy Body Fat Range chart below.

What is Visceral Fat? Visceral Fat (Abdominal Fat) is the fat that surrounds the vital organs on the trunk / stomach area of the body. For a quick easy explanation - try tensing your tummy muscles, then pinch the fat by your belly button. What you can pinch is subcutaneous fat (under the skin) it is not visceral fat. Visceral fat is the fat you can't pinch - it is on the inside of your muscle wall. Typically this type of fat is most often found in high levels in middle aged men (often mistakenly referred to as a beer belly). Men have a genetic predisposition to accumulating fat in this way, whereas women are more likely to store fat subcutaneously. (Subcutaneous fat has been shown to be associated with the nutrition required by a developing foetus, and for breast feeding). High Visceral Fat levels increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Lowering Visceral Fat levels can stabilise insulin action substantially, and reduce the risk of diabetes and other related illnesses. What is Visceral Fat? Visceral Fat (Abdominal Fat) is the fat that surrounds the vital organs on the trunk / stomach area of the body. For a quick easy explanation - try tensing your tummy muscles, then pinch the fat by your belly button. What you can pinch is subcutaneous fat (under the skin) it is not visceral fat. Visceral fat is the fat you can't pinch - it is on the inside of your muscle wall. Typically this type of fat is most often found in high levels in middle aged men (often mistakenly referred to as a beer belly). Men have a genetic predisposition to accumulating fat in this way, whereas women are more likely to store fat subcutaneously. (Subcutaneous fat has been shown to be associated with the nutrition required by a developing foetus, and for breast feeding). High Visceral Fat levels increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Lowering Visceral Fat levels can stabilise insulin action substantially, and reduce the risk of diabetes and other related illnesses. Healthy Visceral Fat Levels Chart Your Tanita Body Composition Monitor will assess your visceral fat level into the following categories : Low Risk: 1 - 12 & Higher Risk: 13 - 59

Muscles

Muscles play an important role as they act as the body's engine in consuming energy (calories). As you exercise more, your muscle mass increase, which in turn accelerates the rate of energy or calories consumed. Increasing your muscle mass will raise your metabolic rate helping you reduce excess body fat levels and lose weight the healthy way. Your Tanita Body Composition Monitor will measure the weight of muscle in your body so you can easily see the rewards of your increased activity or exercise plan. You may also find that as you exercise more your weight may stabilise or even increase as your muscle mass grows and your body fat decreases.

Why is the Metabolic Age Rating important?

The monitor will calculate your BMR and an age will be given relating to statistical information collated during our extensive research.
If the age indicated is higher than the user's actual age then the user needs to improve their Basal Metabolic Rate. Increasing exercise levels will build healthier muscle tissue which will burn more calories consequently improving the user's metabolic age rating.


Bone Mineral Mass

The development of muscle tissue through exercise has been shown to encourage stronger, healthier bones.
It's important that users should aim to develop and maintain healthy bones through plenty of exercise along with a calcium-rich diet.
Obviously there is no healthy range or target for Bone Mineral Mass but as Innerscan gives repeatable readings you will be able to monitor any changes over time.

Monitoring in Athlete Mode - Why is there a separate Athlete mode?

The Tanita Body Fat Monitor does not measure fat directly. The only two values measured directly are weight and the electrical resistance (impedance) of the body. Body fat percentage is calculated using an equation based on these and other values such as height, gender and body type.

Tanita's equations for standard Adult mode have been calibrated against clinical readings taken from a representative sample of the population, most of whom have sedentary or only moderately active lifestyles.

When developing its body composition equations, Tanita found that a different equation was needed to maintain accuracy in the elite athletic population. People who exercise at high levels over long periods of time exhibit differences in their muscle structure and hydration. Their muscle tissue composition may differ, there will be a difference in their water to muscle ratio and overall their bodies will be denser than the average person, as muscle tissue is denser than fat. If these people were to use the standard Adult mode on a Body Fat Monitor, their readings could be overestimated.

Tanita therefore developed a specific Athlete mode, calibrated against a representative sample of "athletes".

As a general guideline, we recommend Athlete mode for anyone who carries out more than 10 hours of intensive aerobic exercise a week AND who has a resting heartbeat of under 60bpm. (Some people naturally have a low heart rate - it does not apply unless they exercise at that level.) They should also have been exercising at this level for at least 6 months.

It could also apply to people who have a lifetime history of fitness - who used to do more than 10 hours a week but do less now.

There is no exact moment when a person becomes an "athlete" and individuals vary. Some people will fall into a "grey" area between athlete and non-athlete; getting a slight underestimation on athlete mode and a slight overestimation on standard adult mode.

The important factor in Tanita's Body Fat Monitors is that they give consistent repeatable readings over a period of time - allowing you to monitor your health in the long-term. If you are 15% now and 25% in a few years time you will know something is wrong!

Athlete mode is particularly suitable for people in endurance sports like running and cycling and those in cross training. (Professional athletes and body builders may still get an overestimation of their body fat percentage even in Athlete mode.