What is a DEXA scan?
A low-dose X-ray scan that measures your fat, lean mass and bone, region by region. You lie still for a few minutes and feel nothing.
How it works
DEXA stands for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, also written DXA. The scanner passes two low-dose X-ray beams at different energies over your body. Bone, fat and lean tissue absorb each energy differently, so the software can tell them apart and add them up region by region.
It’s the reference method researchers and hospitals use for body composition. Unlike a scale or BMI, it shows where your fat and muscle actually sit: arms, legs, trunk, belly and hips.
We use hospital-grade fan beam scanners: a Hologic Horizon W in Gastown and a GE Lunar Prodigy in Yaletown.
What it measures
Body fat %
Your fat mass as a share of your total weight.
Lean mass
Muscle, organs and water, by region, so left and right imbalances show up.
Visceral fat
The fat around your organs, linked to insulin resistance, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Bone mineral content
The total weight of mineral in your bones, alongside your fat and lean mass.
Android/gynoid ratio
Belly fat compared with hip and thigh fat. A higher ratio means more metabolic risk.
Regional breakdown
Fat, lean and bone for each arm, leg, your trunk and your head.
DEXA compared with other methods
| Method | Typical accuracy | Regional detail | Visceral fat |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEXA | ±1–2% | Yes | Measured |
| Smart scale (BIA) | ±3–5% | No | Estimated |
| Skinfold calipers | ±3–6% | No | No |
| Bod Pod | ±2–3% | No | No |
| Underwater weighing | ±1.5–2.5% | No | No |
| BMI | Doesn’t measure fat | No | No |
| MRI or CT | ±1% | Yes | Measured, at $500 to $3,000+ |
Smart scale readings can swing several percent with hydration, meals and exercise. DEXA measures the tissue itself.
Your visit
Before
Skip food for 2 to 3 hours (water is fine). Wear fitted clothes with little metal, ideally the same outfit every time.
The scan
Lie still on the padded table for 3 to 6 minutes while the arm passes over you. You won’t feel anything.
Results
Your results are in your BodyStats dashboard the same day, next to any earlier scans.
Full instructions: test preparation guide.
Reading your results
| Category | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Essential fat | 2–5% | 10–13% |
| Athletic | 6–13% | 14–20% |
| Fitness | 14–17% | 21–24% |
| Average | 18–24% | 25–31% |
| Above average | 25%+ | 32%+ |
Across more than 10,000 BodyStats scans, the average is 24.4% body fat for men and 33.4% for women.
One scan is a baseline. The trend over the next few scans is what tells you whether your training and diet are working.
Is it safe?
A whole-body scan gives about 0.4 to 5 microsieverts of radiation. That’s roughly 1 to 2 hours of the natural background radiation everyone gets, and far less than a chest X-ray (about 100) or a cross-country flight (about 40).
Don’t book a scan if you are or might be pregnant.
Questions
How accurate is a DEXA scan?
Body fat readings are precise to about 1 to 2%. That is far tighter than smart scales (3 to 5%) or calipers (3 to 6%). Only MRI is similar, at many times the cost.
How long does it take?
The scan takes 3 to 6 minutes and the whole visit about 10 to 15. Plan on about an hour for DEXA, VO2 Max and RMR together.
How often should I get scanned?
Every 8 to 12 weeks if you’re tracking fat loss or muscle gain. That gives your body time to show a real change.
Can I wear metal?
Yes, but metal reads as bone, so wear the same items every time. Take it off if you can.
Is it covered by OHIP or MSP?
No. Scans for fitness or health tracking are paid out of pocket. Public plans may cover a scan a physician orders for a medical condition.
How much does it cost?
Prices vary by studio. You can book a single scan or subscribe for one DEXA scan a month. See current prices for every option.
BodyStats DEXA scans are for body composition analysis only. They are not diagnostic and are not medical advice. For medical concerns, talk to a healthcare provider.
Book your DEXA scan
No referral needed.