Max Fitness Support

Max Fitness General FAQ

What is the Body Analyzer?

  1. How does the Body Analyzer work?
  2. How accurate is this device?
  3. What is lean body mass?
  4. How does the Body Analyzer know how much body fat / water I have?
  5. How come I have so much body water?
  6. What does total body water mean?
  7. What is essential fat?
  8. Why do women have more body fat?
  9. How does it compare with hydrostatic (water immersion) weighing?
  10. Isn't hydrostatic weighing the most accurate? (the gold standard, the best, the only way to know for sure?)
  11. Is there any way to know for sure?
  12. Will it hurt?
  13. What should my lean body mass be?
  14. How can I increase my lean body mass?
  15. How can I decrease body fat?
  16. Can my spouse / family / friend measure along with me?
  17. Can the body analyzer/calorie tracker be used without the web application?

What is the Calorie Tracker?

  1. How does the Calorie Tracker work?
  2. How accurate is my Calorie Tracker?
  3. Can someone else use my CALORIE TRACKER?
  4. Is the calorie tracker waterproof to be used by swimmers? If not, what do you recommend?

What is the Body Analyzer?

The Max Fitness Body Analyzer allows users to accurately monitor their body composition through the use of a simple desktop device. When held by the user, the Body Analyzer sends a noninvasive bioelectrical impulse through the body to determine body fat, lean body mass and body hydration.

The Max Fitness Body Analyzer will work with the Max Fitness software and allows users to connect their computers to the web site through their existing Internet connection, where they can view performance graphs, news and other personalized information.

The Body Analyzer is available both as a standalone unit and combined with the Max Fitness Personal Calorie Tracker as an integrated desktop device.

Frequently Asked Questions about your Max Fitness Body Analyzer

  1. Q: How does the Body Analyzer work?

    A: The Body Analyzer uses bio-impedance technology, a state-of-the-art, clinically-tested method of determining body mass. The device sends a mild electrical current through your body, measuring both the strength and speed of the return current. From these readings, the software calculates your body mass lean muscle mass and personal hydration level. The device is safe, however you should not use the Body Analyzer if you are pregnant or have an implanted electrical medical device such as a pacemaker.

  2. Q: How accurate is this device?

    A: The prediction error for the BODY ANALYZER is within two percent accuracy to hydrostatic weighing (water immersion testing), the "gold standard" for body mass measurement when used appropriately.

  3. Q: What is lean body mass?

    A: Lean body mass is everything in your body except body fat - muscles, bones, organs, blood, etc.

  4. Q: How does the Body Analyzer know how much body fat I have?

    A: The device sends a certain amount of bioelectrical currents into your body, and because certain body tissues conduct electricity better than others, it will affect how much current leaves your body. The device estimates your body composition based upon your bioelectrical current reading using unique and proprietary algorithms.

  5. Q: How come I have so much body water?

    A: Your body and all other mammal bodies contain approximately 70% of water by weight.

  6. Q: What does total body water mean?

    A: Your percentage of body water refers to the amount of water in your lean body mass. This number varies from person to person, depending on your lean to fat ratio. The more lean body mass you have, the more body water you will have. Generally, men have 65% - 75% body water and women have slightly less, 50% - 60%. This is due to women's higher percentage of essential fat (and therefore lower lean body mass).

  7. Q: What is essential fat?

    A: This is the amount of fat you need to be healthy and for your body to function properly. Having just this amount of fat or less is dangerous to your health. Generally speaking, a female's essential fat is 10-12% and a male's is 2-4%.

  8. Q: Why do women have more body fat?

    A: In addition to the basic essential fat we all need, women have an additional 9-12% sex specific fat necessary for proper functioning.

  9. Q: How does it compare with hydrostatic (water immersion) weighing?

    A: The BODY ANALYZER is consistent with hydrostatic weighing.

  10. Q: Isn't hydrostatic weighing the most accurate? (the gold standard, the best, the only way to know for sure?)

    A: Hydrostatic weighing is very accurate, with prediction errors of about 2%. However, it is still a method of estimation and is subject to error.

  11. Q: Is there any way to know for sure?

    A: The only way to actually measure your body composition with 100% accuracy is to do an autopsy.

  12. Q: Will it hurt?

    A: No, the bioelectrical current is extremely small.

  13. Q: What should my lean body mass be?

    A: Your lean body mass is just the inverse of your body fat percentage, or in other words, everything but fat is lean body mass. By decreasing body fat and increasing lean body mass simultaneously, you improve the ratio, which is what is important.

  14. Q: How can I increase my lean body mass?

    A: You can increase your lean body mass through resistance training, which increases strength and muscle mass.

  15. Q: How can I decrease body fat?

    A: You can decrease body fat by burning more calories than you consume, and by exercising regularly with a combination of aerobic exercise and resistance training.

  16. Can my spouse / family / friend measure along with me?

    A: Yes, the Body Analyzer can be used by multiple users. The docking station can be used by multiple Calorie Tracker units. You will be able to purchase additional Calorie Tracker units from Max Fitness for additional family members. We do suggest buying multiple Body Analyzer's for home and office use (and to get people at work asking about your new desktop technology!)

  17. Can the body analyzer/calorie tracker be used without the web application?

    A: The Max Fitness uses the web application to track and monitor progress. Without the web application you will only be able to view your immediate results.

What is the Calorie Tracker?

The Max Fitness Personal Calorie Tracker is a small, stylish easy-to-use research-grade device worn at the waist that will accurately measure, record, and report your daily caloric burn as you sleep, work, relax, and exercise. This should NOT be confused with other competitor's products that use a simple pedometer. The Max Fitness Calorie Tracker is a highly sophisticated accelerometer which is the same type of technology used in luxury automobiles to detect motion and deploy airbags.

Using the Max Fitness Body Analyzer docking station with the Personal Calorie Tracker unit and Max Fitness software, users are able to connect their computers to the web site through their existing Internet connection. Within seconds, the user is able to integrate their data to their personal fitness record, display performance graphs, and find information that can help them achieve their personal weight management and fitness goals.

Frequently Asked Questions about your Max Fitness CALORIE TRACKER

  1. Q: How does the Calorie Tracker work?

    A: The Calorie Tracker allows users to accurately monitor their caloric burn by measuring and recording body movement. The Calorie Tracker continuously tracks your caloric burn during a particular activity, at a specific time frame, or throughout the day.

  2. Q: How accurate is my Calorie Tracker?

    A: For activities that involve "whole body movement" (such as running, walking, aerobic exercise, etc.) the Calorie Tracker is very accurate - the core technology is used in major universities around the world to study physiology. For "specific area movement" (such as bicycling or weight lifting), Max Fitness's software will bring the Calorie Tracker to a similar level of accuracy as for "whole body movement".

  3. Q: Can someone else use my CALORIE TRACKER?

    A: It is not recommended. The only way a calorie tracker can be shared is if the users each have an account and have re-initialized the unit to match their profile prior to use. Other uses will not deliver accurate readings. Additional units can be purchased for friends and family members.

  4. Q: Is the calorie tracker waterproof to be used by swimmers? If not, what do you recommend?

    A: The Calorie tracker is not waterproof. However, there will be an accessory section of the Max Fitness website that will contain a waterproof case for the calorie tracker as well as additional accessories.