Fitness Lab
Body Composition Testing in Alabaster & Homewood, AL and Johnson City, TN
Scale weight cannot tell you whether you are losing fat or muscle. The Fitomics 3-C Advanced Body Composition assessment combines multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance, multi-site ultrasound and caliper measurement, and calibrated height and weight into a 3-compartment model that reports fat mass, fat-free mass, and where you stand against population percentiles. A 3D body scan adds circumference mapping and a visual record of your progress.
Medically reviewed by David Hardin, MD and Kerrily Murphy, CRNP
- 3-C Advanced Body Composition
- $150, about 20 minutes
- 3D Body Scan
- $75, about 5 minutes
- Radiation
- None
- Membership
- Not required
What the 3-C assessment includes
- Multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance for total body water
- Multi-site ultrasound and caliper measurement
- Calibrated height and weight
- Fat Mass Index (FMI) and Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI)
- Percentile ranking and classification against reference data
- Optional 3D scan: full-body surface scan, circumferences, posture view, and side-by-side progress comparison
Where
Fitomics HQ in Alabaster, AL; the Training Lab in Homewood, AL; and our partner lab in Johnson City, TN. Mobile testing is available for teams and approved off-site locations.
Pricing
- 3-C Advanced Body Composition: $150 per assessment
- 3D Body Scan: $75 per scan
A DEXA alternative in Birmingham: how 3-compartment testing compares
DEXA is a good tool. It splits the body into fat, lean soft tissue and bone, but to separate fat from lean tissue it assumes lean tissue holds a fairly constant share of water, about 73%. Real hydration varies from person to person and from day to day, and when it shifts, DEXA's fat and lean estimates shift with it.
The Fitomics 3-C assessment takes a different route. It measures total body water directly with multi-frequency bioimpedance and combines it with body density from ultrasound, caliper and calibrated anthropometric measurements. That is the logic of the classic Siri three-compartment model: because water is measured rather than assumed, differences in hydration are corrected instead of hidden in the result.
In published validation studies against the four-compartment model, the research reference standard, well-run field three-compartment models have produced errors similar to or lower than DEXA (Nickerson, Tinsley & Esco, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2019), and multi-component models outperformed stand-alone DEXA in competitive bodybuilders (Graybeal et al., Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2020). It also uses no radiation, so it is practical to repeat every 8 to 12 weeks.
Any method is only as good as its conditions. We test you under the same conditions every time, hydrated and rested with no heavy meal or hard training beforehand, so a change on your report reflects a change in your body.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is 3-compartment body composition testing?
A 3-compartment (3-C) model divides the body into fat mass, fat-free mass, and body water instead of relying on a single measurement. Fitomics combines bioelectrical impedance, ultrasound and caliper site measurements, and calibrated anthropometry so each method checks the others.
Is this a DEXA scan?
No. DEXA uses low-dose X-ray to estimate fat, lean soft tissue, and bone, and assumes lean tissue has a constant water content. The Fitomics 3-C assessment measures body water directly and combines it with body density, so hydration differences are corrected rather than assumed. It uses no radiation, which makes it practical to repeat every few months to track change. If you have a DEXA report, bring it and we will interpret the two side by side.
How much does body composition testing cost?
The 3-C Advanced Body Composition assessment is $150 and takes about 20 minutes. A 3D body scan is $75 and takes about 5 minutes. Both are available without a membership, and body composition is included in the Discovery and Comprehensive Exams.
How should I prepare?
Arrive normally hydrated, avoid a heavy meal, alcohol, and hard exercise in the 12 hours before, and empty your bladder right before the test. Wear or bring form-fitting clothing for the ultrasound sites and the 3D scan.
How often should I retest?
Every 8 to 12 weeks is enough to see real change in fat mass and lean mass without chasing day-to-day noise. FitCare and Platinum members retest on a quarterly schedule.