As body fat testing, rather than simple scale weight, has become "the standard" in this new millennium, Hydrostatic Testing (Underwater Weighing) has become universally regarded by industry experts as the "Gold Standard" in body fat testing.

The fact that bone, muscle, and connective tissue collectively known as lean mass sinks, while body fat floats is the main principle behind (hydro-densitometry) hydrostatic testing.

Clinically speaking, the hydrostatic testing method has been around for over 50 years and is based on Archimedes principle which states "that when a body is submerged in water, there is a buoyant counter force equal to the weight of the water which is displaced". Again, because bone and muscle are denser than water, a person with a larger percentage of lean body mass will weigh more in the water and ultimately have a lower body fat percentage versus someone with less lean muscle mass. A person with more body fat will make the body lighter in water and will have a higher percentage of body fat. Body fat floats and lean tissue, muscle, connective tissue, bones, etc.

1. Resting Metabolic Testing (RMR)



2. VO₂ Sub-Max Testing