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Getting tested in the Bod Pod can reveal a lot about your current body composition, but nothing about how you got to be the way you are. Remember, everyone is built differently.

Testing multiple times over the course of a year can show you how specific exercise and diet changes affect your body.

Tracking results reveal patterns that allow you to tailor nutrition and exercise plans in a way simply not possible with a single test or by relying on a bathroom scale.

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Since any air trapped in hair or clothing can alter test results, form-fitting clothing and a swim cap are required attire.

MEN - Form-fitting Speedo® or Lycra® / spandex-type swimsuit, or single-layer compression shorts (without padding).

WOMEN - Form-fitting Speedo® or Lycra® / spandex-type swimsuit, or single-layer compression shorts and sports bra (without padding or wires).

A swim cap is required for all testers and will be provided by Body Metrics.

A changing area is available in our mobile BOD POD testing lab.

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Once you have dressed in your proper attire, your mass will be measured by the scale. Then you’ll step into the BOD POD and sit still, breathing normally, as your volume is measured. Your test will be complete in just under 3 minutes. While you’re changing back into your clothes we will print your results.

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No. Do not eat or drink anything for at least two hours prior to testing. Food and liquids in your system can affect test results.

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No. Do not exercise in the two hours prior to testing, as elevated breathing and body temperature can affect test results.

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We have seen considerable changes in individuals in as little as 30 days, but it really depends on your goals, your fitness program, and your diet.  Discuss these things with the test coordinator during your test session and they can help you make that decision.  Regardless of how long you wait in between tests, we offer multi-test packages that can save you some money.

When scheduling your next test, remember that subsequent tests should be scheduled under similar conditions as your prior test(s). When possible, attempt to test at the same time of day, under similar levels of hydration, hunger and physical activity, as your last test(s).

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Each BOD POD Test Measures:

Certified Body Weight

Body Fat Percentage

Total Lean Body Mass

Resting Metabolic Rate

Total Energy Expenditure

Thoracic Lung Volume (available only with the Thoracic Volume add-on test)

For more details, see our Results page.

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Making changes to your activity level and nutrition are the best ways to change your body composition.

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Understanding your body composition is important for good health. Once you know your body fat percentage, you can make informed decisions about how to achieve or maintain good health with the right nutrition and exercise programs.

Using the BOD POD regularly is a great way to monitor your progress toward achieving your health and fitness goals. Using a traditional scale just doesn’t cut it.

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The BOD POD uses patented Air Displacement Plethysmography for determining percent fat and fat-free mass in adults and children. The simple, 5-minute test consists of measuring the subject's mass (weight) using a clinical electronic scale. Next the subject's volume is determined by sitting inside the BOD POD. From these two measurements, the subject's body density is calculated.

The BOD POD consists of two chambers. The front, or Test Chamber, is where the subject sits and is comprised of a seat that forms a common wall separating it from the rear, or Reference Chamber. During the test, the chamber door is secured by a series of electromagnets and a gasket. A Diaphragm is mounted on the common wall, which oscillates during testing. This causes small changes in volume inside the chamber, of which the pressure response to these small volume changes is measured. This is done by measuring the interior volume of the empty BOD POD chamber, then measuring it again when the subject is seated inside. By subtraction, the subject's body volume is obtained. For example, if the interior air volume of the empty chamber is 400 liters, and the volume of the chamber is reduced to 350 liters with the subject inside, the body volume of the subject would be 50 liters.

Once the subject's mass and volume are determined, body density is calculated and the relative proportions of fat and fat-free mass are determined using a series of calculations.

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Densitometry:

With Air Displacement Plethysmography used by the Bod Pod, body composition is derived from body density, or Densitometry. In densitometry, the more dense a body is, the lower the percentage of body fat; the less dense a body is, the higher the percentage of body fat.

Density = Mass/Volume

Densitometry is based on modeling the body into two compartments: a fat compartment and a fat-free mass compartment. The fat-free mass compartment consists of protein, water, mineral, and glycogen.

From the your body density, relative proportions of body fat and lean body mass are calculated based on the density of fat and lean tissue.  Because lean tissue is more dense than fat tissue, a higher density reflects a higher proportion of lean tissue.  A commonly used equation which translates whole body density to percent body fat is the Siri equation:

Percent Fat = [495/Density] - 450

Once the percent body fat is calculated, the percent lean body mass can also be determined as follows:

Percent Lean Body Mass = 100 - Percent Fat

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Mass is a fancy way of saying "weight".  This is the number on the scale.  Both mass and volume are needed in order to calculate density.

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Volume is the amount of space an object occupies.  Imagine sitting in a tub of water.  The amount the water rises or displaces is your volume.  This is the part of the equation where the actual Bod Pod comes into play.  During the test small changes in volume are induced by the Bod Pod using a diaphragm that oscillates. The pressure response to these changes in volume is measured and using some simple calculations the subject's volume is found.

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Thoracic Gas Volume is the volume of air in the subject's thoracic cavity, or mostly the lungs.  This air is not part of your actual body volume and so in turn must be removed from the equation in order for accurate results to be obtained.  For most subjects a predicted value can be used, but in some circumstances it is beneficial to measure this volume separately.  We offer a thoracic gas volume test to all of our customers for an additional fee.

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Volume is directly related to surface area.  It is for this reason that we require tight form-fitting clothing.  Ideally, a subject would be nude and completely shaven, but we feel like this is a lot to ask for a simple body composition test.  This is also why we require subjects to wear the sexy swim cap during testing.

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Your RMR (kcal/day) represents the minimum energy your body needs to support its basic physiological functions like heartbeat, breathing, maintaining body temperature and all of the various biochemical reactions required to keep you alive. In essence, it is the amount of energy that the body uses at rest on the couch trying to put off your workout.

Estimated RMR can be used to provide an estimation of your total energy expenditure (TEE), which can help manage your daily caloric intake. While RMR is generally 65% of your TEE, the level of your physical activity can add significant variability to the actual percentage.

Changes in estimated RMR can be used to influence changes in your body composition. If you lose body fat and replace it with muscle, you should see a steady increase in your RMR – this is a good thing. Having your RMR monitored throughout a weight management program can help you track improvements in your muscle mass and optimize your fat loss and fitness/nutrition program strategy.

After a session with Body Metrics, we give you a printout with your estimated RMR because we think it’s important for you know how many calories you burn in a day in addition to your body composition percentages.