| The Omron HBF-306C Body Fat Analyzer measures your body fat with a gentle, micro electrical current -- don't worry, you won't feel it. The key to long-term exercise success is accurate body fat composition measurement. This handheld body fat analyzer is an affordable and easy way to measure your body fat in the privacy of your own home. After inputting the data, a measurement can be started by simply holding the grip electrodes and pressing the start button. And since the analyzer is built with a nine person profile memory, each member of your family or team can track the success of their individual exercise routines. 
The Omron HBF-306C measures body fat with a micro electrical current. Detailed view. | 
The screen displays body fat measurements and other data. Detailed view. | 
Easy-to-use, handheld design. | The HBF-306C features two modes -- athlete and normal -- for accurate results. The device is a breeze to use, and it returns measurement results in seven seconds for both Bi method (Bioelectrical Impedance Method) and BMI (Body Mass Index). The unit displays the measured value of your body fat percentage through the BMI method, and indicates the body mass in for ranges from low, normal, high, and very high according to the BMI value. What is the Bioelectrical Impedance Method?
Muscles, blood vessels and bones are body tissues having a high water content that conduct electricity easily. Body fat is tissue that has little electric conductivity. The Body Fat Analyzer sends an extremely weak electrical current of 50 kHz and 500 µA through your body to determine the amount of fat tissue. This weak electrical current is not felt while operating the Body Fat Analyzer. The Bioelectrical Impedance Method safely combines the electric resistance with the distance of the electricity conducted. Correct posture and consistent measuring conditions need to be maintained for the best results. Operating the Analyzer
To use the HBF-306C you must first set your personal datYou must first select between the Normal and Athlete modes. To determine if you should select Normal or Athlete, you must calculate your FIT index by using the following formula:
- FIT Index = Frequency x Intensity x Time
Frequency is a single digit number from one to five that represents your frequency of exercise. If you exercise daily or almost daily, then use the number five; three to four times per week use four; one to two times per week use three; a few times per month use two; and for less than once a month use one. If you workout vigorously, then you use the number five to represent your intensity level; if you workout with moderate or light effort, use the number four. Meanwhile, time is a single digit number from four to one that represents the duration of your workout. If you exercise for 45 minutes or more, then use the number four; 30-44 minutes use three; 15-29 minutes use two; and for less than 15 minutes use one. For example, if you run five times a week for 30 minutes, your FIT index would be 75 (5 x 5 x 3 = 75) and you would select the Athlete setting. If your FIT index is greater than 60, you should select the Athlete setting. Any number below would demand a normal setting. After determining your FIT index and selecting between the Athlete and Normal setting, the remaining personal data is very straightforward. Simply enter your height, weight, age and gender. When all the data is fixed and stored, the analyzer screen will display "Ready," and you'll be ready to take your first body fat measurements. Note: For the following cases, the body fat percentage measured by this unit may significantly differ from the actual body fat percentage.
- Children in a growth stage
- Elderly people and post-menopausal women
- People with a fever
- People who have swelling
- Patients with osteoporosis who have very low bone density
- Bodybuilders or professional athletes
- Patients undergoing dialysis
| Compare Omron Fitness Monitors |  | 
HB-400 | 
HB-500 | 
HBF-306 | 
HR-100 | | Measurement | - Body fat percentage
- Body mass index
- Weight
| - Body fat percentage
- Visceral fat level
- Skeletal muscle percentage
- Resting metabolism
- Body mass index
- Weight
| - Body fat percentage
- Body mass index
| | | Product Placement | Flat level floor | Flat level floor | Hold in front of body | Watch on wrist
Transmitter around chest | | Memory | 4 person profile
with previous reading | 4 person profile
1/7/30/90 day(s) memory | 9 person profile | None | | Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | | Batteries | 4 "AA" (included) | 4 "AA" (included) | 2 "AA" (included) | 2 CR2032 3 volt (included) | | Estimated Battery Life | Approx. 1 year
(when used four times a day) | Approx. 1 year
(when used four times a day) | Approx. 1 year
(when used four times a day) | Approx. 1 year
(varies depending on storage and use) |
Q&A - Fitness Monitors
What is the Bioelectrical Impedance Method?
Bioelectrical Impedance (BI) is considered one of the most accurate and accessible methods of screening body fat. Muscles, blood vessels and bones are body tissues having a high water content that conduct electricity easily. Body fat is tissue that has little electric conductivity. The monitor sends an extremely weak electrical current through your body to determine the amount of fat tissue. The weak electrical current is not felt while operating the Body Fat Analyzer. The monitor is calculated by a formula that includes five factors; electric resistance, height, weight, age and gender.
What is visceral fat?
Visceral fat is located around the organs. Too much visceral fat is thought to be closely linked to increased level of fat in the bloodstream, which can lead to common conditions such as high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Sedentary life style causes excess visceral fat, and exercise can reduce it quicker than subcutaneous fat (fat located under skin).
What is resting metabolism?
Resting metabolism is the energy to maintain vital functions and it counts 60 to 70% of total energy consumption. Knowing your resting metabolism can help your dietplan. If you can increase daily activity while keeping food intake at resting metabolism level, you can lose weight.
What is skeletal muscle?
Skeletal muscle is muscle attached to the bones that is used to move the body. If you do weight loss without exercise, you may lose skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle is important to maintain your resting metabolism as well as your functionality. Monitoring skeletal muscle during weight loss is key to avoid weight rebound in the future.
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 bad reviewers: knowledge is power! |
| Review Date: March 26, 2009 |
| Reviewer: A. Chandler, Austin, TX |
I never buy anything without doing research on what to buy first. If you read about BMI analyzers on About.com it not only recommends this as one of their top 3 picks over ANY kind of body fat analyzer, but it also explains why some people didnt get the results expected on these comments...because of user error.
Most admit to using this first thing in the morning.
It says on about.com never to do that. For accurate readings, use 3 hours after a meal, never first thing in the morning, (you are dehydrated then) never use when dehydrated, but you should use after emptying your bladder. (remember it's guaging what percent of you is muscle vs water so you want your body water to be balanced and normal...not too low with dehydration, not too high with a full bladder.) Also it's best to use this, or any monitor, when unclothed if possible. Ive found that part not to matter that much as everyone at my office borrows this sometimes and, because bare workers would be awkward, we've found it to read accurately clothed. :-)
Also, if you have a very high muscle mass and a very low BMI set it on "athlete" for an accurate reading. So yes, even bodybuilders CAN use it...you just have to know how.
This explained those who had problems and the unbiased rating on the aformentioned website (and others) states that this is WAY more accurate than calipers...made me buy it. I"d used it before at the gym and it was always great. But before I purchase on my own, I learn.
I use mine often and it is right on target as to what's going on with my body. A handheld non-electronic (or even electronic if it's the kind you place ON your fat) caliper will vary if you do not measure the EXACTLY in the same place each time and squeeze to the exact resistance. You avoid that common error via this latest technology.This has the latest.
I bought this one because or reading about what technology works the best from consumer tests by the experts. And I am happy with my purchase.
As an aside, I also discovered the scales that do fat testing through your feet are not as accurate as this method of testing either, even the Omron scale didnt test for accuracy as well as this Omron fat tester.
So I thought I'd share what i found in my week of research prior to purchase.
I love this body fat analyzer and my friends who have used it got their own as well. If you are bloated, your scale can't tell you why your weight is up. This can. And some days, I thank it for that! |
Great Overall Gauge At A Good Price
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| Review Date: January 9, 2007 |
| Reviewer: G. Bailor, Portland, OR |
I highly recommend the Omron fat loss monitor for anybody who is serious about monitoring their body fat.
Why I Recommend It:
1. EASY to use. It's almost dummy-proof
2. Inexpensive. For less than $26 you can have it delivered (Super-Saver shipping) including batteries.
3. I don't need help to use it. I don't know of any other method that you can do in the privacy of your home each and every day with the exception of calipers. And you need somebody else to use the calipers on you. Since they're only accurate if that person knows what he/she is doing and measures you in the exact same place each time, I think it's just easy to get a monitor.
4. Quick. I can take a measurement in about 10 seconds.
General Thoughts/Suggestions:
1. The instruction manual mentions this also but... Make sure to take the measurement at the same time each day. I take my measurements right before I leave the house for work before I've eaten or drank anything for the day.
2. Don't expect the results to be perfect. If the measurement tells you that you're 16% body fat, that's probably pretty close to what you actually are. But depending on how much water you've had to drink, how recently you've exercised, how recently you've eaten, etc., the reading could go up to 17% or down to 15%. It's best to be consistent with when you take your measurements and to use the monitor as a guide to tell you if you're gaining or losing. I think of it as a fat loss compass... not a fat loss GPS.
3. Make sure that you keep your stats updated in the computer memory. I'm on a fat loss routine right now. I've lost 15 lbs since I began using the Omron monitor. It only takes a second to update your personal stats in the monitor's memory. But you need to do it. Otherwise it'll give you an inaccurate reading.
All in all, I'd say this is a great investment. Yes, you can lose body fat without using a monitor. But it is also possible to lose weight without losing body fat (i.e. water weight or muscle). I'm constantly tweaking my diet and workout routine to keep that percentage dropping. Without the monitor I'd be in the dark and I'm confident that I wouldn't have seen the progress that I've seen thus far.
Good luck & good health!
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Great body fat analyzer
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| Review Date: August 5, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Silvia, |
This is a great hand held body fat analyzer. Very accurate, consistent readings and very user friendly. It takes about one minute to set up the personal information that it needs and takes a few seconds to get the body fat readings, very fast.
I was a little worried about buying this item because the lack of reviews but did notice another Omron HBF-306 fat Analyzer that had alot reviews. I don't know why this item doesn't have as many reviews as the other Omron HBF-306 fat Analyzer, when it is the exact same product, plus what made me buy this one instead of the other is it's cheaper and free shipping. So overall great product for the price. |
More Accurate than my Other Scales
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| Review Date: March 14, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Lisa Shea, |
If you're trying to maintain a healthy weight - or reach one - then a fat monitor can be key. Being 150 pounds and 50% fat is much different than being 150 pounds at 20% fat!
If you haven't used an electronic fat monitor before, here is how they work. You enter your height and weight. This gives the monitor a rough idea of how long an electrical current should take to go in one end of you and out the other. Then you hold two plates in your hands, and it sends a quick electrical message in one hand and out the other. It doesn't hurt at all - you can't feel it at all. But by tracking the speed of the signal, the monitor knows how dense your body is. That tells it what percentage of you is fat, and what percentage is other stuff (muscle, water, etc.)
How is this helpful? Well, your aim as you lose weight is to be less and less fat. Fat is large, unhealthy and bulky. Muscle is slim and actively burns calories. Don't think of gaining muscle as bulking up like Conan. Think of it as gaining lean active muscle like a ballerina or a dancer. It means you can climb stairs more easily, lift items more easily, and your overall shape will be much slimmer.
So, how well does this Ormon monitor work? We've tried it out with many people now. It stores up to 9 settings inside it, and it's really easy for a guest to instantly use it as well. You just enter your height, weight and age. It instantly knows your BMI based on that since BMI is just weight and height. Then you hold the two sides for a few moments and it tells you your body fat as well. Quick, easy, painless. We use this several times a day, just to play with it and see the progress we're making.
There are many times when you're losing weight that it seems you "aren't losing weight". But really, you are converting from fat to muscle and fat is thick and light while muscle is thin and heavy. So for example you might go from a 38" waist to a 34" waist and still "weigh the same". This is good overall, because you are slimmer, healthier, and it means that going forward it'll be even easier for you to lose the remaining weight! So seeing that progression with your body fat can be very encouraging.
Highly recommended! |
Great tool to make sure you aren't loosing muscle
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| Review Date: January 4, 2007 |
| Reviewer: J. Fischer, Texas |
While dieting I don't want to loose any muscle. The Omron keeps me informed of what I'm doing.
It's real easy to use. Takes just seconds to know where you stand in reaching your goal. Other reviews state that it is not very accurate or consistent, but they aren't using it right. The read outs will vary if you have just eaten or drank anything. It uses a bioelectrical impedance analysis to estimate your BFI. If you have consumed anything within 2 hours of testing yourself then this thing will give you a higher %.
Just use it in the morning before you eat and it should be quite consistent. |
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