Weight, height, BMI, muscle weight, body fat, body composition – it can all be a bit confusing and overwhelming. I know a lot of people battle with the fact the number on the scales doesn’t necessarily change when you start going to the gym because you’re gaining muscle. BMI has been heavily criticised as a way of accurately assessing health, but there’s another way to know more, a DEXA scan.
What’s A DEXA Scan?
DEXA scans use x-ray technology to assess your body composition. The radiation is being constantly measured and comes in very low doses. In total, the scans take less than 10 minutes. So, you’re not sat around for an eternity while each part of your body is being assessed. There are two different kinds of DEXA scans, depending on your needs.
The DEXA Composition Scan
One assesses your full body composition, you have the scan and it then tells you your weight, then breaks that down by muscle weight, body fat, water weight and bone weight.
This is a much better way of tracking your progress and goals, because you can focus on any specific figure or target you want. If you’re working on gaining muscle and/ or losing fat, the scales can’t always give you the full story. The composition scan is great for athletes and frequent gym goers who want a reliable way of tracking their progress.
Results from this kind of scan will show you:
- Overall body fat, lean tissue (muscle), bone weight and percentages
- Breakdowns for both legs, arms and your torso
- DEXA scan image showing where your body fat and muscle is distributed
- Visceral fat (the dangerous fat around organs)
The DEXA Bone Density Scan
I’ve seen many fitness vloggers talk about/ get a body composition DEXA before, but I didn’t know that bone density scans were a variety of DEXA scans until very recently. The bone density scan takes longer, at around 10-20 minutes and are used to test for/ give indicators of osteoporosis. This scan involves a follow up with a doctor afterwards to discuss the results. I had a bone density scan of my hips around 10 years ago because of pain issues I was having and can confirm that the experience goes quite quickly. You can look at the criteria for if you should look into a bone density scan here.
I was recently contacted asking if I’d like to get a DEXA scan and although the answer was a resounding yes, unfortunately, they aren’t available in many places in the UK right now and I couldn’t make that work. However, I still wanted to talk about them and would love to get one myself another time.
For those of you in the US, you’re able to search locations by major city or state.
Have you ever heard of or had a DEXA scan before? What was your experience like?
Until next time,
Sophie
I’d never heard of these before! Very interesting though, I’d love to do one of these scans to get to know my body a bit better. Always find BMI a bit tricky because I’m quite skinny, but I eat healthy haha
I haven’t heard of this scan. This is really helpful and the fact that scan takes about 10 minutes.
xx
Sulo
I’d never heard of these before! Not trying to lose weight but I’d love to do one just to find out where I’m at – shame they’re not readily available on the UK. Do you think it’s something that will become more accessible?
Im definitely going to share this post with a couple of friends who are into their fitness.i feel like sometimes an actually scale can be decieving but this Scan sounds like it produces more a accurate measurement. Your post are so educational!
I have never heard of one of these before!
You can really tell a lot from getting one done!
Love Lozza xo
I have Dexa scans every few months as I suffer from osteoporosis. I love how quick and easy they are!
With love, Alisha Valerie x | http://www.alishavalerie.com
this is such an interesting post sophie! i’ve never heard of a dexa scan before. i think it’s something i will look into because i am not a huge fan of BMI calculations, i feel they aren’t very accurate. weight is a very touchy thing in my life and something i’ve struggled with for a long time so having the information that a dexa scan can give would be great for me. xxx
mich / simplymich.com
I have heard of these in the past and if one were closer to us I would totally give it a try as it seems to give much more personalized and detailed results then older ways of measuring overall health.
Never heard of these before! As a woman turning 50 this year, I wonder what the bone density thing would show.
I have never heard of Dexa but had done a couple of bone density scans. Unfortunately they revealed my osteoporosis. Hope you’re doing well. Thanks for sharing this.
Hope they become more widely available in the UK as it sounds so interesting! xx
Violethollow.com
I have a DEXA scan every two years as I have Cystic Fibrosis and my bones need to be checked, particularly my spine and hips. It’s the one scan I don’t mind as it involves lying down on a bed! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Ohhh I’ve never heard of this before and it sounds so interesting!! x
Grace Louise
I’ve never heard of it – I’d love to try it out x
I was offered too and although I was the same predicament as there wasn’t any in my area, I’m a bit terrified. I think it’s because I am an area that I am not at the best weight or fitness or health right now and want to focus on getting myself better before seeking medical advice on specifics. But I didn’t know about the bone density scans which I think would be really interesting to see.
I’d never heard of a DEXA scan before reading this. I’d definitely have one if offered, I’d love to know the results!
Louisa
I had never heard of a dexa scan before but it sounds so great if you truly want to know your body. Especially if you want to work on it and need to know which areas need to be worked on!
I have wanted a DEXA scan ever since I first heard of them but unfortunately there is nowhere locally where I can get one for fun…which is incredibly frustrating given that the local university has a scanner but it’s only for research purposes (I’m not sure if maybe they do for medical too).
I had heard of a BODPOD scan being similar?But although they seem more readily available for fun, there aren’t any local to me 🙁
I’ve never ever heard of this but it does sound interesting! I agree, all these numbers and measurements can definitely get a bit confusing and overwhleming!
Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com
BMI is so unreliable, so this sounds much better! Loved this post x
How have I never heard of this before?? I’m so intrigued, and this post was so explanatory! This sounds like more than beneficial for living healthier
I had to take my mum for a DEXA Bone Density scan last week for her osteoporosis! I haven’t heard of the DEXA Composition scan before, it’s so interesting all the things they can scan for and find out
I’d never heard of this before but it sounds interesting! You’ve explained it all so well. Usually I find anything regarding BMI so confusing xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
I’ve never heard of this before but I like the concept. I agree that BMI calculations never give you the full picture; as I gained muscle and put on weight, my BMI went up, and I imagine this is the norm for many others. I’d be very interested in trying a DEXA scan if they become more readily available in the UK. Great post.
I’ve never heard of this before! I feel like as useful as it is, it would backfire for me though and I would just obsess over all the data it came back with!
This is great information to know! Thank you for sharing and explaining.
I haven’t heard of this before! It definitely sounds like something that I’d consider doing once in a while because I can’t rely on BMI alone.
This sounds really interesting m! xx
I’d never heard of a DEXA scan before but it sounds like such a useful way of getting information about your body. It definitely looks like it can tell you a lot more than just your BMI can, so hopefully they’ll become more widely-used.
Beth x Adventure & Anxiety
This honestly sounds so interesting! I’ve not heard of this scan before, but it’s such a great way to get to know your body!
Kayleigh Zara http://www.kayleighzaraa.com
I have never heard of the DEMA scans before but never liked the BMI even when I fit into their box of what they found healthy.
So, so interesting as I recently heard about these too! x
I’ve never heard of this before. Sounds interesting.
I’ve never even heard of this before!! I would be so interested what my body is like!
Rosie