Tech Made Simple

Hot Topics: How to Fix Bluetooth Pairing Problems | Complete Guide to Facebook Privacy | How to Block Spam Calls | Snapchat Symbol Meaning

We may earn commissions when you buy from links on our site. Why you can trust us.

author photo

Skulpt Aim: A Device that Measures Muscle Quality and Body Fat

by Fox Van Allen on January 09, 2014

Skulpt body fat monitoring deviceIf you've ever toned or built muscle exercising, you know how your bathroom scale can play games with your head. In many cases, gaining a couple pounds can be a good thing that makes us feel and look better, so long as they're the right pounds. But seeing the scale tick upwards is terrifying to anyone who's had trouble managing their weight in the past like myself. How, then, can you tell if you're making real progress on your body fitness goals, even if it's just incremental?

Enter the Skulpt Aim, a new high-tech muscle quality and body-fat monitoring tool being shown off this week for the first time at CES 2014. Unlike your bathroom scale which may have a body-fat measuring setting already, the hand-held Aim is a small device with electrodes you apply directly to the individual muscle groups of your body. This way, you not only get a more complete picture of your body fat, but you understand what muscles groups you're making progress with at the gym.

I visited with the Skulpt people to go hands-on with the device and to ask a few questions about what "muscle quality" is, exactly. In the Skulpt world, it's a number not unlike your IQ – 100 is average – that describes how powerful your muscle is compared to its size. By tracking it via your body's electrical resistance, you'll be able to have a quantifiable measure of your progress in the gym via the Skulpt app. The app will even recommend specific exercises that will better your unique body's condition.  

But is it accurate? I had my body fat percentage professionally measured a few months ago by certified personal trainer. My body fat percentage results from the device were darn close to what I expected. My bicep muscle quality reading, however, came out in the low 50s. The folks at Skulpt booth re-ran the test, this time scoring me in the mid 70s. That aspect of the Aim, I was told, is still being calibrated and may be distorted by certain unusual body types. You'll also need moist skin, so readings are best when you're still fresh from that gym shower.

The bottom line: The Skulpt Aim isn't quite ready for prime time at CES, but hopefully the kinks will be worked out by its May release. We'll keep an eye on this promising piece of fitness tech

The Skuplt Aim is available for pre-order via a fully-funded IndieGogo campaign for $139; it will be available in May 2014 at a MSRP of $199. The free Skulpt app will be initially available on both web and Apple iOS, with an Android version to come in summer 2014. For more on the device, check out the video below or visit www.sculpt.me.


Topics

Exercise Monitors, News, Health and Home, Health & Fitness, Blog, CES 2014


Discussion loading

gravatar

From Alex Fergus on September 25, 2015 :: 4:20 pm


Hey. I have been using the SKulpt AIM for 6 months now. I’m a PT/bodybuilder/gym addict, so I’ve put it to good use!

I like it. Its great for tracking my own and my clients progress without booking for a dexa scan. Plus not everyone likes having their body pinched with calipers. I compared it to a dexa and its pretty accurate. The muscle quality feature is also pretty cool.

I actually have a in depth review on the AIM at my site so that might help answer any questions. Otherwise feel free to pick my brain.

The review can be found here - http://aferg.co/skulptreview

Reply

gravatar

From Marko Maslakovic on October 04, 2015 :: 10:14 am


I’ve been using the Withings smart scale, and I’ve been using Skulpt AIM for a few months now. The Withings scale - while good, it is hopeless at estimating body fat (as are all other scales). Skulpt AIM is in a league of its own and there is nothing that compares to it.

Bioelectrical impedance scales measure body composition by sending a single current starting at your feet. Most of this current will flow through your “lean mass” as this is the most conductive, so none of the current will actually flow through your fat content. Your percentage of fat is then estimated, and highly dependent on variables such as level of hydration, bone density, etc.

In comparison, Aim uses EIM technology. This is a technique in which a current is applied directly to each muscle using optimized electrode configurations and frequencies. As a result, the current flows past the subcutaneous fat and through the muscle in a much more controlled fashion, for greater accuracy.
Don’t think that you will get even close to being able to estimate BF with a scale. Skulpt AIM - while not perfect - is pretty good. Here is a link to a review:http://www.healthfitnessgadgetreviews.com/#!Skulpt-Aim-in-a-category-of-its-own/clfr/3

Reply

Home | About | Meet the Team | Contact Us
Media Kit | Newsletter Sponsorships | Licensing & Permissions
Accessibility Statement
Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookie Policy

Techlicious participates in affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which provide a small commission from some, but not all, of the "click-thru to buy" links contained in our articles. These click-thru links are determined after the article has been written, based on price and product availability — the commissions do not impact our choice of recommended product, nor the price you pay. When you use these links, you help support our ongoing editorial mission to provide you with the best product recommendations.

© Techlicious LLC.