InBody Scan: Why Body Composition Analysis Matters More Than Weight
You step on the scale and see a number you don't like. But what does that number actually tell you?
Almost nothing.
That single digit can't distinguish between muscle and fat. It doesn't show you where you're losing or gaining. And it certainly can't tell you if your efforts are actually working.
That's why at Affinity Whole Health, we use InBody body composition analysis for all our patients, whether you're on testosterone therapy, hormone replacement, or GLP-1 weight loss treatment.
What Is Body Composition?
Body composition looks beyond your total weight to show what you're actually made of: fat, muscle, water, and minerals. Unlike BMI, which treats all weight the same, body composition reveals whether you're losing fat, building muscle, or both. It's a far more accurate picture of your health than the number on the scale alone.
What Is InBody Analysis?
InBody is a medical-grade body composition analyzer that goes far beyond traditional scales. As a patient of Affinity Whole Health, you have access to free InBody scans as often as you’d like. In about 60 seconds, while you stand on the device and hold the hand electrodes, it measures:
Skeletal muscle mass in each limb and your trunk
Body fat percentage and distribution
Visceral fat level (the dangerous fat around your organs)
Body water balance (intracellular vs. extracellular)
Basal metabolic rate (calories you burn at rest)
Segmental analysis showing muscle imbalances
The technology uses bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) with multiple frequencies to provide research-grade accuracy without the radiation of DEXA scans (which also take longer and typically cost money) or the hassle of hydrostatic weighing.
Why This Matters for Hormone Therapy
Here's something most people don't realize: when you start testosterone therapy or hormone therapy, the scale might barely move, or it might even go up slightly at first.
That's not a problem. That's progress.
Hormones help you build lean muscle while reducing fat mass. Muscle is denser than fat, so you might be transforming your body composition even when the scale stays the same. You're getting leaner, stronger, and healthier, but you'd never know it from weight alone.
You feel better but the scale shows you gained 2 pounds. Your InBody scan reveals the truth:
That you've gained 5 pounds of muscle while losing 3 pounds of fat
That your visceral fat (the dangerous kind) is dropping
That your muscle distribution is becoming more balanced as you train
That your metabolism is increasing as you build more lean tissue
The GLP-1 Advantage: Protecting Your Muscle
For patients on GLP-1 medications, body composition tracking is even more critical.
GLP-1 medications are incredibly effective for weight loss, but without proper diet, you may lose significant muscle mass along with fat. Some studies suggest that up to 40% of weight lost on GLP-1s can be lean tissue if you're not intentional about your nutrition and lifestyle.
That's a problem. Losing muscle:
Slows your metabolism
Increases your risk of regaining weight
Reduces strength and functional fitness
Can accelerate age-related muscle loss
Increases your risk of injury
This is exactly why we emphasize a high-protein diet for all our GLP-1 patients. Adequate protein intake (typically 0.8 to 1 gram per pound of goal body weight) combined with resistance training helps preserve muscle mass while you lose fat. Your body needs the amino acids from protein to maintain lean tissue, especially when you're in a caloric deficit (consuming fewer calories than you are burning).
With regular InBody scans, you can monitor your muscle mass throughout your weight loss journey. If you see you're losing lean tissue, you can increase your protein targets, modify your exercise routine, or adjust your medication dosing.
Even better? Many Affinity Whole Health patients combine GLP-1 therapy with hormone optimization for maximum results. As we've discussed in our blog about combining GLP-1s with hormone therapy, optimizing your testosterone or estrogen levels while on weight loss medication helps you preserve and even build muscle as you shed fat. It's one of the most effective strategies for body recomposition we've seen.
The goal isn't just to lose weight. It's to lose fat while preserving (or even building) muscle. InBody helps ensure that's exactly what's happening.
What You'll Learn From Your Scan
When you get an InBody scan at Affinity, you'll receive a detailed printout showing:
Your body composition breakdown: How many pounds of muscle, fat, and water you're carrying
Segmental muscle analysis: A visual chart showing if your arms, legs, and trunk are balanced or if you have muscle imbalances
Visceral fat level: The fat surrounding your organs, which is linked to metabolic disease risk
Body fat percentage: A more meaningful metric than BMI for actual health
Basal metabolic rate: How many calories your body burns at rest, which increases as you build muscle
Body water: Proper hydration
Your Patient Care Coordinator will walk you through your results and help you understand what they mean for your specific goals. Each time you scan, you can track how your body composition changes over time in every category.
Real Patient Results: 10 Months of Body Recomposition
The three InBody scans below show an actual Affinity Whole Health patient's progress on GLPs & Hormone Therapy. Here's what happened:
October 18, 2023: Starting Point Weight: 299 lbs | Body Fat: 44% The baseline scan. This is where the transformation began.
July 8, 2024: 8.5 Months In Significant body recomposition happening. The scale is moving, but more importantly, the muscle-to-fat ratio is completely transforming. Visceral fat dropping, lean muscle building.
August 15, 2024: 10 Months Total Weight: 205 lbs | Body Fat: 24% Final result: 94 pounds lost, body fat cut nearly in half. The "Body Composition History" at the bottom compares all three scans side-by-side, showing the complete transformation.
The Bottom Line: This patient didn't just lose weight. They lost 94 pounds while completely reshaping their body composition from 44% to 24% body fat. That's the difference between simply getting lighter and actually getting leaner and healthier.
Example InBody scan results. This shows everything you'll receive: body composition analysis, muscle-fat analysis, obesity analysis, segmental lean analysis, and ECW/TBW analysis. The "Body Composition History" at the bottom compares your scans over time, letting you track exactly how your body is changing. Scan the QR code for an explanation of each result here: https://qr.inbody.com/ri/570/adult/en-US
The Affinity Difference
Most clinics treat hormones or weight loss as a "prescribe and forget" model. You get your medication, you're told to check back in a few months, and that's it.
We don't work that way.
Body composition analysis is part of our commitment to truly personalized care. We want to see how your body is responding to treatment, not just hear that you "feel better" (though that matters too), but to have objective data showing your muscle is increasing, your fat is decreasing, and your metabolism is improving.
This is included for all our patients at no additional cost. Whether you're coming in for labs, a consultation, or just a check-in with your PCC, we can run an InBody scan to track your progress.
It's another way we provide personalized support when you want it, with data to back up what you're feeling.
Your Body Is More Than a Number
The scale has ruled long enough. It's time to understand what's actually happening inside your body.
If you're considering testosterone therapy, hormone replacement, or GLP-1 weight loss treatment, don’t you want to know if you're building muscle, losing the right kind of weight, and improving your metabolic health?
That's what InBody analysis gives you. And that's what you get at Affinity Whole Health: not just medication, but a complete picture of your health transformation.
Ready to see what's really going on beneath the surface? Schedule a consultation with Affinity Whole Health and get a comprehensive body composition analysis as part of your personalized treatment plan. Same-day appointments available.
Frequently Asked Questions About InBody Analysis
How often should I get an InBody scan?
It depends on your goals and treatment. For patients on hormone therapy or GLP-1 medications, we typically recommend scanning every 4-6 weeks to track changes in body composition. This gives your body enough time to show measurable progress while keeping you accountable. Some patients prefer monthly scans, while others come in quarterly. The good news? You can scan as often as you'd like at no additional cost.
Do I need to prepare for my InBody scan?
For the most accurate results, follow these guidelines:
Avoid eating or drinking for 2-3 hours before your scan
Don't exercise intensely for 6-12 hours beforehand
Use the restroom before stepping on the device
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours prior
Stay consistently hydrated (but don't over hydrate right before)
That said, if you want to track progress over time, just be consistent with your scanning conditions. If you always scan in the morning after coffee, stick with that routine.
Is InBody analysis accurate?
InBody devices are considered medical-grade and have been validated in numerous research studies. They're accurate to within 98% of DEXA scans (the gold standard) for body fat percentage. While no body composition method is perfect, InBody provides consistent, reliable results that are more than sufficient for tracking your progress over time. The key is comparing your scans to each other, not obsessing over any single number.
How long does an InBody scan take?
About 60 seconds. You'll stand barefoot on the device while holding the hand electrodes, and it does the rest. You'll receive your detailed printout immediately, and your PCC can review it with you right away.
What if my results aren't what I expected?
First, remember that InBody gives you data, not judgment. If you're seeing more fat or less muscle than you hoped, that's valuable information that helps you adjust your plan, nutrition, or exercise routine. Your Patient Care Coordinator will help you interpret your results in context and create an action plan. Sometimes patients are pleasantly surprised to learn they've built muscle even when the scale hasn't budged. Other times, we catch muscle loss early and can intervene before it becomes a problem.
Can I get an InBody scan if I'm not a patient yet?
InBody analysis is included as part of our comprehensive care for all Affinity Whole Health patients. If you're considering treatment with us, you'll get your first scan during your initial consultation or lab visit. Not a patient yet? Schedule a free consultation to discuss your goals, and we'll include a full body composition analysis.
How is InBody different from a regular scale or BMI?
A regular scale only tells you total weight, and it can't distinguish between muscle, fat, water, or bone. BMI is even worse; it's a simple height-to-weight ratio that can classify muscular athletes as "overweight" and miss health issues in people with normal weight but high body fat. InBody actually measures what you're made of, showing you exactly where you're gaining or losing muscle and fat. It's the difference between a blurry snapshot and a high-resolution image of your health.
Will InBody work if I have a pacemaker or am pregnant?
No. The device uses mild electrical currents (which you won't feel), so it's not recommended for anyone with implanted electrical devices like pacemakers or defibrillators. It's also not recommended during pregnancy. If you have questions about whether InBody is safe for you, discuss it with your provider during your consultation.
Can I track my results over time?
Absolutely. Every scan is saved in our system, and you'll receive a printout each time. You can compare scans side-by-side to see how your muscle mass, body fat percentage, visceral fat, and metabolic rate are changing over weeks and months. Many patients find this incredibly motivating when the scale isn't moving but the InBody shows they're losing fat and building muscle.
Does body composition analysis cost extra?
No. InBody scans are included at no additional cost for all Affinity Whole Health patients. Whether you're coming in for labs, a consultation, or just want to check your progress, you can get scanned as often as you'd like. It's part of our commitment to comprehensive, data-driven care.