Body Composition Scan: What To Expect & Where To Get One

When it comes to health and fitness, the number on the scale doesn’t tell the whole story. Two people can weigh the same but look and feel completely different. That’s because body weight alone doesn’t reflect how much of you is muscle, fat, or bone.

That’s where a body composition scan comes in. This powerful tool gives you a detailed breakdown of what your body is really made of, helping you understand your health beyond the surface level. At Peak Physique in Troy, Michigan, we use advanced body composition analysis to help you set realistic goals, track progress, and get results that last.

Whether you’re looking to lose fat, gain muscle, or simply feel stronger and more confident, this test can be your game-changer. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about body composition scans, what to expect, and where to get one.

Key Takeaways

A body composition scan measures fat, muscle, water, and bone for a clearer health picture than weight alone.
Scans like the InBody 770 provide instant, accurate results in under 5 minutes.
Benefits include tracking fat loss, measuring muscle growth, and spotting imbalances or health risks.
Prepare by staying hydrated, avoiding food and exercise 2–3 hours before, and wearing light clothing.
Most people benefit from scans every 6–8 weeks to track progress and adjust training plans.
At Peak Physique in Troy, Michigan, scans are paired with personalized fitness coaching for lasting results.

What Is a Body Composition Scan?

A body composition scan measures the proportion of fat, muscle, bone, and water in your body. Unlike traditional methods such as BMI (body mass index) or the scale, which can be misleading, a composition scan offers a clear, precise picture of your overall health.

Depending on the technology used, these scans can reveal:

Body fat percentage: total and segmental (arms, legs, trunk).
Lean muscle mass: showing strengths and imbalances.
Visceral fat: the dangerous fat around your organs linked to heart disease and diabetes.
Hydration levels: differentiating between water inside and outside your cells.
Bone density: giving insights into skeletal health (especially with DEXA scans).

In short, a scan doesn’t just tell you your weight, it tells you what’s behind it.

Why Does Body Composition Matter?

Relying on the scale alone can be frustrating. You might work out consistently, lose inches, and gain muscle, but if the scale doesn’t move, it feels like failure. A body composition scan clears up that confusion by showing you how your body is changing beneath the surface.

Benefits include:

Tracking fat loss more accurately than a standard scale.
Measuring muscle growth in specific areas.
Spotting imbalances that could lead to injury.
Evaluating visceral fat, which is a better predictor of health risks than BMI.
Personalizing training and nutrition plans to your body’s actual needs.

For athletes, fitness enthusiasts, or anyone on a health journey, this level of detail provides both clarity and motivation.

Different Types of Body Composition Scans

There are a few ways to measure body composition, but not all methods are practical or accessible for everyday use.

1. InBody 770 (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis at Peak Physique)

At Peak Physique, we use the InBody 770, one of the most advanced bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) machines available.

In less than a minute, it provides:

Precise breakdown of fat, muscle, and water levels.
Segmental analysis showing muscle and fat distribution in arms, legs, and trunk.
Insights into visceral fat and hydration balance.
Easy-to-read results you can use immediately to guide training and nutrition.

It’s quick, non-invasive, and ideal for tracking changes over time, making it the perfect choice for ongoing fitness journeys.

2. DEXA Scan (Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry)

The DEXA Scan:

Is considered highly accurate and also measures bone density.
Is often used in medical or research settings.
Requires a prescription in some clinics and usually costs $100+.

3. BodPod

The BodPod:

Uses air displacement to measure fat and lean mass.
Quick and non-invasive, but requires form-fitting clothing.
It may be uncomfortable for people with claustrophobia.

While DEXA and BodPod scans have their place, the InBody 770 offers a balance of accuracy, convenience, and affordability that makes it accessible for anyone looking to take control of their fitness.

What To Expect During a Body Composition Scan

If you’ve never had a scan before, you might wonder what the process feels like. Here’s what you can expect depending on the method:

BIA Scan (like the InBody 770): You’ll stand on the device and hold onto hand grips for less than a minute. No pain, no discomfort, just stand still and let the machine do the work.
DEXA Scan: You’ll lie flat on a bed while an imaging arm slowly moves over you. The scan takes about 10 minutes and feels similar to an X-ray.
BodPod: You’ll sit in a small chamber while the machine measures your body volume. The test takes about 15 minutes.

At Peak Physique, the InBody 770 scan takes less than five minutes, and you’ll get results instantly.

How To Prepare for a Body Composition Scan

To ensure your results are as accurate as possible:

Avoid eating or drinking for 2–3 hours before the scan.
Don’t exercise right before testing (it can affect hydration and skew results).
Stay normally hydrated in the 24 hours leading up to your scan.
Wear comfortable, lightweight clothing.

Understanding Your Results

After the scan, you’ll receive a detailed report showing:

Total body fat percentage.
Lean body mass in each region (arms, legs, trunk).
Visceral fat level.
Basal metabolic rate (BMR): the number of calories your body burns at rest.

At Peak Physique, we’ll walk you through your results and explain what they mean for your training plan.

For example:

If you’re stronger in your upper body than your lower body, we may add leg-focused workouts.
If you have a higher visceral fat level, we’ll emphasize nutrition strategies to reduce it.
If your hydration levels are off, we’ll guide you on how to balance them.

This isn’t just data, it’s a personalized roadmap to better health.

How Often Should You Get a Body Composition Scan?

How often you test depends on your goals. Most people benefit from a scan every 6–8 weeks. That’s enough time to make progress, but frequent enough to adjust your training or nutrition if needed.

Athletes or clients in transformation programs may scan more often (every 4 weeks) to track progress closely.

Where To Get a Body Composition Scan in Troy, Michigan

If you’re local to Troy or the surrounding area, you don’t have to go to a hospital or spend hundreds of dollars for a DEXA scan. At Peak Physique, we offer advanced body composition testing with the InBody 770.

Here’s why clients choose us:

Accurate, detailed results in less than 5 minutes.
Instant reports you can review with your trainer.
Personalized training plans based on your unique scan results.
Supportive coaching that goes beyond numbers, we help you turn data into action.

Our body composition scans are part of our mission to provide personal training with personal passion. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter fitness. Every scan gives us the insights to design workouts and nutrition strategies that actually work for you.

Why a Body Composition Scan Is Better Than a Scale

Scales only tell you weight. They can’t distinguish between fat and muscle, which means you might miss the progress you’re making.

For example:

You start strength training. The scale barely changes, but your scan shows fat down, muscle up; that’s progress worth celebrating.
You’re losing inches in your waistline, but the scale hasn’t budged. A scan reveals you’ve reduced visceral fat and gained lean mass.
You’re stuck in a plateau. The scan helps you see where adjustments are needed (nutrition, cardio, or strength work).

That’s why we encourage our clients not to obsess over the scale. A body composition scan gives you a complete picture and helps you stay motivated on the journey.

At Peak Physique in Troy, Michigan, we use scans to create personalized training programs that empower you, not exhaust you.

Ready To See What You’re Made Of?

If you’re tired of the scale not telling the full story, it’s time for a deeper look. Schedule your body composition scan at Peak Physique today and get the insights you need to take control of your health and fitness.

Stop guessing. Start knowing. With Peak Physique, you’ll have the tools, support, and personalized guidance to transform your body and your confidence.