Styku vs. InBody and other BIA devices

Comparing Styku and BIA devices like InBody is a detailed conversation because the two technologies work in fundamentally different ways. The differences below cover the most common points.

Technology and Body Composition Prediction Method

InBody and similar devices use Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) — sending a small electrical current through the body to estimate composition. This makes results dependent on hydration levels, which are hard to control between scans and introduce a high degree of error when tracking change over time.

Styku uses 3D depth sensing to measure body circumferences, which are then correlated to DEXA data to predict body composition. Styku is not reliant on hydration levels, making it less error-prone and more reliable for proving change over time.

Limitations on Who Can Use the Device

InBody is not suitable for individuals with pacemakers, pregnant clients, or those with certain acute or chronic conditions.

Styku has no such restrictions — it is completely non-invasive and safe for anyone, including pregnant clients (for shape tracking; body composition values are inaccurate during pregnancy), individuals with pacemakers, and those with implanted medical devices.

Pre-test Requirements

InBody requires strict pre-test protocols for accurate results:

Fasting 12 hours before the scan
No exercise beforehand
No showering
No lotions or ointments
Scanning at the same time of day across sessions
Wearing the same clothing across sessions
Many other constraints (Lifetime Fitness's published InBody protocol includes 14 separate requirements)

Styku requires only form-fitting clothing (or undergarments). Clients can eat, drink, shower, work out, and arrive whenever — none of these variables affect Styku results.

What Data Each Device Provides

InBody outputs a body composition prediction and a hydration-level measurement.

Styku outputs a much richer dataset:

Body composition (body fat percentage, lean mass, fat mass, bone mass, android/gynoid, visceral and subcutaneous fat)
21 body circumferences with millimeter-level accuracy
Body surface area and volume (whole-body and regional)
Risk factors for obesity-related disease (waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, TLVR)
Metabolic syndrome risk (predicted with 92% accuracy)
Posture indicators
A 3D visual model of the client's body for side-by-side progress comparison

How Data Is Presented

InBody prints results to paper, so clients and operators must store printouts to compare across sessions — a dry, transactional experience.

Styku is fully software-driven. All data is interactive on the scanning computer: rotate and zoom the 3D model, highlight individual circumferences, compare scans side by side, set fat-loss and inch-loss goals, and review trends over time. Clients can also view their scans in the Styku mobile app between visits.

Business and Revenue Implications

InBody devices are widely saturated — clients can often get an InBody scan for free at a supplement or nutrition shop, which limits its value as a service differentiator or revenue stream.

Styku is deployed in over 1,600 locations globally but is still uncommon in most markets. Because Styku delivers a richer experience and a visual scan output, it's easier to monetize as a paid service. Roughly 65% of Styku operators charge per scan, averaging $50/scan and reaching $150/scan in higher-end settings.

Applies to: All Styku configurations.

Related Resources

Why does my Styku body fat percentage look different from other devices?
Why do hydration and nutrition affect BIA body composition results?
What is bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and how does it work?
How Styku compares to BIA and other 3D scanners (fitness, medspa, weight management)
Styku Body Fat Percentage: How It's Calculated, Accuracy, Model Comparison, and Client Communication Guide