Bod Pod
What is a Bod Pod?
Bod Pod uses air displacement to determine body composition (fat and fat-free mass) and volume. Similar to underwater weighing, the Bod Pod measures body mass with a scale and volume by sitting inside the chamber. Infants are measured in the Pea Pod variant.
The test provides:
- Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) — caloric energy needed to keep you alive (breathing, brain activity)
- Total Energy Expenditure (TEE) — RMR plus daily caloric energy from your activity level
- Optimal Caloric Intake per day
- Progress reports across visits
How to prepare
For the most accurate results, do not eat, drink, or exercise for 2 hours prior to testing.
Wear minimal, form-fitting clothing:
- Men: form-fitting Speedo® or Lycra/Spandex compression shorts without padding
- Women: the same plus an unwired sports bra; a swim cap will be provided
What to expect
Sit comfortably and quietly, relax, and breathe normally. The exercise physiologist will review the instructions. You’ll hear magnetic-valve sounds and feel slight pressure changes — comparable to being in an elevator. The scan takes about 5 minutes.