Bod Pod

Step 1: Schedule Appointment

Schedule an appointment today by clicking the button below or calling us directly or by email at bodpod@crossfitatlanta.com. Be sure to give us your full name, phone number and email and preferred day/time of your test so we can schedule your appointment.

Step 2: Test Preparation

• Do not eat or drink anything for at least 2 hours prior to your test.
• Do not exercise 12 hours before your test. Limit activity prior to your visit. Exercise prior to your test can elevate your breathing and body temperature which may interfere with your test results.
• Schedule subsequent visits under the same conditions (time of day, hydration levels, clothing).

REQUIRED CLOTHING
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 your Bod Pod technician.
A private changing area is available prior to performing your BOD POD test.

Step 3: Testing

Taking The Test

1. The test takes about 5 minutes to complete from start to finish
2. Your mass will be measured by the scale.
3. You will then sit in the BOD POD where your volume will be measured. Not to worry, nothing is required of you at this point except to sit still and breathe normally.
4. Your entire appointment will be complete in just under 15 minutes.
5. While you’re changing back into your clothes we will print your results.

Step 4: Results Review

Review Your Results

If you’ve taken a test with us before, your previous test result(s) are stored in our system and used to chart your progress in each of these key areas:

• Certified Body Weight
• Body Fat Percentage
• Total Lean Body Mass
• Resting Metabolic Rate
• Total Energy Expenditure
• Thoracic Lung Volume*

If this is the first time you’ve taken a test with us, you’ll get all the same information – just minus the historical comparison to previous visits.
* available only with the Thoracic Volume add-on test.

Certified Body Weight

Body weight is simply your overall weight, as measured by our certified accurate scale during your BOD POD body composition analysis test.

Body Fat Percentage

A certain amount of fat is absolutely necessary for good health. Fat plays an important role in protecting internal organs, providing energy, and regulating hormones. The minimal amount of “essential fat” is approximately 3-5% for men, and 12-15% for women. If too much fat accumulates over time, health may be compromised.

Fat Free Mass

Fat Free Mass is every component of your body except fat that makes up your body’s weight. It includes muscle, water, bone, and internal organs. Muscle is the “metabolic engine” of the body that burns calories (fat) and plays an important role in maintaining strength and energy.

Total Energy Expenditure (TEE)

Total Energy Expenditure, or TEE, is the total amount of energy you use per day (kcal/day).
Your daily Total Energy Expenditure (TEE, kcal/day) consists of three components:
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)
Physical Activity (PA)
Thermic Effect of Food (TEF)
Of these three, RMR is the largest contributing component of TEE at around 60-70%.

Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)

Your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) (kcal/day) represents the minimum energy your body needs to support its basic physiological functions, including heartbeat, breathing, maintaining body temperature, and all of the numerous biochemical reactions required to keep you alive. In essence, it is the amount of energy the body uses at rest.

How is RMR Calculated?
Due to the strict protocol and technical difficulties associated with obtaining an accurate measurement of RMR, prediction equations have been developed to estimate RMR based on parameters more easily measured. Research studies indicate that prediction equations which account for both fat and fat-free mass provide the most accurate estimates of RMR. Therefore, the equation of Nelson et al (American Journal of Nutrition 56:848-56, 1992), which includes accurately measured fat and fat-free mass as predictors, provides a reliable and accurate assessment of your RMR. This equation is also useful in tracking RMR changes that occur with a change in either fat or fat-free mass.

Why Do I Need To Know My RMR?

Most of us understand that weight management depends upon the energy balance equation: the amount of energy you put into your body (your caloric intake) versus the amount of energy you expend (your TEE). The way to lose body fat is to maintain a negative energy balance. This is accomplished by reducing caloric intake, increasing TEE or, preferably, a combination of both. Your RMR is dependent primarily on the fat-free part of your body, and accounts for the vast majority of your TEE. So to improve your overall fitness, it is critical to know your RMR.

• Changes in your 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. Having your RMR monitored throughout a weight management program can help you track improvements in your muscle mass, thus optimizing your fat loss and fitness/ nutrition program safety.
• RMR can be used to provide an estimate of your 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. For this reason, your Daily Activity Level should also be taken into account when determining your TEE. (Sedentary, Low Active, Active, Very Active)

RMR and TEE information should NOT be used for children under 18 years of age, pregnant or lactating women, or individuals in which metabolism may be affected by disease or medication.

Thoracic Lung Volume

Thoracic Lung Volume (TLV) impacts the method the BOD POD uses to measure body composition. Any measurement of gas in the thoracic cavity cannot be included in a measurement of body volume. Doing so will invalidate the results.

The Bod Pod® has established predictive values of thoracic gas volume based on height and age. Because of the simplicity and quickness of using these predictive values, most people prefer to use them. However, when the highest level of accuracy is needed, the BOD POD has the ability to measure thoracic gas volume directly using a direct measurement technique.

Understanding your body composition is necessary in order to make informed decisions about nutrition and exercise programs. The Bod Pod’s accuracy and track-ability are the reasons people use this body composition testing system.

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.
We recommend 6 tests a year to track nutrition and fitness performance results.

Body Fat vs. Non-Body Fat Mass

Body composition (percent fat and lean) is one of the best indicators of health, reflecting both physical activity and dietary practices.

Fat Mass vs. Body Mass

Body weight alone can be very misleading. The scale cannot tell the difference between a pound of fat and a pound of muscle.

Fat Free Mass vs.Body Mass

Over time, people tend to gain fat and lose muscle without an obvious change in their weight.

Resting Metabolic Rate vs. Total Energy Expenditure

Only by accurately measuring body composition will one learn the amount of fat and lean tissue that makes up their weight.