Reddit reviews Omron HBF-306 Body Fat Monitor

I have one of these body fat analyzers. I use it every morning before I have anything to eat or drink. The results are tracked in a spreadsheet.

They're not highly accurate, but they're consistent so long as they're used consistently. That's why I use it at the same time and the same level of hydration every day. The exact number it gives me is probably lower than reality, but it's sufficient to observe trends.

34M, 5'6", 148 lb. Can someone give me a BF% estimate please?

I'm so confused. By looking at pictures of guys with known BF% I'd say I look most similar to 15-20%, but using a single pinch and a seven pinch Accu-Measure caliper calculation, I got around 11-12. Also this (I assume these devices are horribly inaccurate) gives me numbers more consistent with the calipers than with comparing to pictures.

I ordered the Omron HBF-306CAN Fat Loss Monitor from Amazon for $29.99. It's over $25 so it ships for free. I don't trust its measurements all that much, but it's certainly better than nothing.

http://www.amazon.ca/Omron-HBF-306CAN-Fat-Loss-Monitor/dp/B0058GCQ5I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345570486&sr=8-1

More Info

I have one of these machines and it claims by Body Fat is 19%. No idea how accurate that is though. I imagine not very.

Been trying to slim down on and off over the past few years. Started taking it seriously a year ago then stalled a bit due to injury.
Back at it since Jan where I've lost close to 25lbs.

My eventual goal is to get leaner and stronger(bigger), however I've basically stalled on all my lifts for a couple months with minimal progress.

Last year I did Starting Strength. Been doing PPL since January.
I don't always hit 6 days a week however, and the fast few months it's been more like 3 due to other commitments. I do play a lot of softabll so my overall fitness hasn't been lacking, just strength training.
As I said my lifts have basically stalled since April, especially upper body. So I'm wondering if it's time to bulk a bit.
I understand if I were to bulk Id have to ensure I hit PPL 6 days a week to be worth it.

One bulking caveat is I am getting married in Sept. So I wanna look semi decent in my suit. Definitely wouldn't be a dirty bulk.

Current routine is PPL, 3-6 days a week depending what I can fit in, and I play baseball 1-4 times a week depending on the schedule. This is mostly what affects how many days I strength train.
Diet is pretty clean. Im eatting under tdee at 1900ish calories right now. High protein diet.
Supplements I just take Fish Oil and Creatine. I've done an EC Stack in the past, but not currently. I may again as a pre wedding cut assistant.

Major Lifts

Bench Press - 5x135 (stalled)

Overhead Press - 5x100 (stalled)

Squat - 5x300

Deadlift - 5x275


So should I bulk now for 4-6 weeks and do a hard cut to slim before I get married, or keep cutting till after the wedding?

I personally have one of the Omron machines http://www.amazon.ca/Omron-HBF-306CAN-Fat-Loss-Monitor/dp/B0058GCQ5I. I don't know if they are accurate but they are definitely consistent as mine was hovering in the ~12% range when I was actively exercising a few months ago, and now it's been around 16% now that I've become a couch potato.

Alternatively, I remember using a similar machine at the Save-On-Foods near Broadway/Cambie two years ago. Hopefully it's still there! If you're going to use either one of these machines then stick to one as there may be inconsistencies between different brands/machines.