InBody scan explained

What does an InBody scan measure?

An InBody scan estimates what your body weight is made of: water, protein, minerals and fat. It does this with bioelectrical impedance analysis, or BIA. InBody describes impedance as the resistance that occurs when alternating current flows through the body, and says it is the raw data behind every body composition result.

InBody describes the test as non invasive and radiation free. At UnReal the scan takes about 60 seconds.

How does the scan work, step by step?

InBody's own test guide lists the steps:

1. Wipe your hands and feet with an InBody tissue.
2. Step onto the device, which measures your weight.
3. Enter your personal profile.
4. Take the handles with your thumbs on the electrodes.
5. Keep your arms straight and away from your body, relaxed and still, until the test finishes.

The results print automatically when the test is done.

What does each part of the result sheet show?

InBody's test guide says the sheet shows water, protein, minerals and fat, both BMI and percent body fat, skeletal muscle mass balance, segmental muscle analysis, visceral fat distribution and target weight recommendations. In plain words:

• Body composition analysis: your weight split into body water, protein, minerals and body fat mass. InBody USA notes that about 73 percent of fat free mass is water.
• Muscle and fat comparison: your weight, skeletal muscle mass and body fat mass shown together, so you can compare muscle and fat against your weight.
• BMI and percent body fat: InBody shows both, to compare apparent obesity (from weight and height) with actual obesity (from fat). Our guide to healthy body fat percentage ranges explains why the two can disagree.
• Segmental muscle analysis: how lean mass is spread across each arm, each leg and the trunk.
• Visceral fat level: an estimate of fat around the organs in the abdomen. See visceral fat level explained.
• InBody score: a single summary number. See what a good InBody score is.
• Target weight: a suggested weight to reach a balanced composition. Treat it as a guide, not an instruction.

Is an InBody scan accurate?

It is useful, and it is an estimate. Three published sources say the same thing in different ways.

The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism working group (Kyle and colleagues, 2004) wrote that BIA can determine fat free mass and total body water in people without significant fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, when appropriate equations and established procedures are used. They also noted that BIA suffers from a lack of standardised methods.

McLester and colleagues (2020) tested three InBody models in 67 healthy adults on two days, against DXA. The InBody devices repeated well. Against DXA they underestimated body fat percentage and overestimated fat free mass, with small individual error, so the authors suggested they can stand in when DXA is not available, while practitioners should know the bias.

A 2023 study (Nickerson and colleagues) compared a rapid four compartment model, DXA and an InBody 570 against a criterion four compartment model in 130 adults and found all three acceptable. The 95 percent limits of agreement for body fat percent ranged from about plus or minus 4.9 to 5.2 points across the methods.

So one reading can be several points off, and two readings under the same conditions compare well with each other. That is why we treat a scan as a trend line, not a verdict. How to keep conditions the same is in how often to measure body composition.

What can an InBody scan not tell you?

It cannot diagnose a condition. Kyle and colleagues flag that segmental and multifrequency BIA in altered hydration states needs further research, so read a scan taken when your hydration is far from normal with extra caution. If a number worries you, such as a high visceral fat level, take it to a doctor.

Where can you get an InBody scan in Bangkok?

UnReal Gym has an InBody 570 on Floor 7 at Sukhumvit Soi 24, near BTS Phrom Phong. The card under this page has the prices and what is free. If you want a coach to read the sheet with you, that is part of nutrition coaching.

Sources

• InBody, InBody test and how to read the result (read 2026-10-06).
• InBody USA, InBody test preparation and technology and result sheet overview (read 2026-10-06).
• Kyle UG and others. Bioelectrical impedance analysis, part I: review of principles and methods. Clinical Nutrition, 2004.
• McLester CN and others. Reliability and agreement of various InBody body composition analyzers as compared to dual energy X ray absorptiometry in healthy men and women. Journal of Clinical Densitometry, 2020.
• Nickerson BS and others. Evaluation of a rapid four compartment model and stand alone methods in Hispanic adults. Journal of Nutrition, 2023.

This page is general information, not medical advice.