Custom Fit’s Gold‑Standard DEXA Scan in San Francisco

A DEXA scan offers the most precise and comprehensive analysis of your body composition available today. While many places can provide a scan, at Custom Fit, we focus on turning that data into clear, actionable guidance. Our expert team of Registered Dietitians and Exercise Physiologists will help you understand every metric, providing the insights you need to refine your approach to fitness, nutrition, and long-term health.

The Custom Fit DEXA Experience

Your 30-minute appointment is designed for efficiency and clarity, giving you both precise data and an expert interpretation. We move beyond simply handing you a report; we help you understand what it means for you and your goals.

1. The 6-Minute Scan: The scan itself is quick, non-invasive, and simple. You just lie comfortably on the scanner bed.
2. The Expert Analysis: After your scan, you’ll sit down with one of our professionals—either a Registered Dietitian or an Exercise Physiologist—for a detailed review of your results. We discuss your goals, answer your questions, and translate the numbers into a practical strategy.

From Data to Direction: Understanding Your DEXA Report

A DEXA scan provides a level of detail that scales and BMI simply cannot match [3]. Considered the gold standard in body composition analysis, it measures your body with an error rate as low as 1-2% [6]. Here are the key metrics you’ll receive in your detailed report.

• Body Fat Percentage: Get a true body fat reading, accurate to within 1%. Your report includes a color-coded map showing exactly where fat is stored, helping you track changes over time.
• Lean Tissue Mass: See your exact muscle mass, broken down by region (arms, legs, trunk). This is essential for identifying muscle imbalances and tracking the effectiveness of your strength training program.
• Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT): This is the fat surrounding your internal organs, and it’s a critical indicator of metabolic health. DEXA is one of the only commercially available tools that accurately measures it.
• Bone Mineral Density (BMD): Understand the health and strength of your skeleton. This metric is crucial for assessing long-term bone health and fracture risk as you age [7].
• Muscle Imbalances: Discover if one side of your body is stronger or more developed than the other. This information is key for designing training programs that prevent injury and improve functional strength.
• Android/Gynoid (A/G) Ratio: This ratio measures fat distribution between your midsection (android) and your hips/thighs (gynoid). It helps monitor central body fat, which is associated with higher health risks.

At Custom Fit, these data points are the foundation of our custom wellness programs, allowing for precise adjustments to your fitness and nutrition plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about getting a DEXA scan in San Francisco.

What is a DEXA scan?

DEXA stands for Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. It is a medical-grade imaging technology that provides the most accurate and reliable measurement of your body composition, including your fat, muscle, and bone mass [8].

How long does the appointment take?

Your entire appointment will last about 30 minutes. The scan itself takes just 6 minutes, and the rest of the time is dedicated to reviewing your results with an expert.

What should I wear for my scan?

Wear comfortable, form-fitting athletic clothing. Please avoid clothing with any metal, such as zippers, buttons, or underwire bras, as metal can interfere with the scan results.

Why is a DEXA scan better than other methods?

Methods like bathroom scales or BMI don't differentiate between fat and muscle. A DEXA scan gives you a complete picture, showing you if your weight changes are due to fat loss, muscle gain, or changes in bone density, allowing for much smarter training decisions [5].

How often should I get a DEXA scan?

To effectively track progress and make informed adjustments to your program, we recommend getting a DEXA scan every 3 to 6 months. This provides enough time to see meaningful changes in your body composition. A complimentary scan is included with all of our gym memberships.

Is the scan safe?

Yes, the scan is very safe. It uses a very low dose of X-rays—less radiation than you'd be exposed to on a cross-country flight. The procedure is non-invasive and painless [2].

Ready to gain a clearer understanding of your body and optimize your health? Book your DEXA scan at Custom Fit today.

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Citations

1. https://wearebod.com/blogs/journal/dexa-body-composition-analysis-beyond-the-bathroom-scale
2. https://prefusionhealth.com/why-the-dexa-scan-is-the-gold-standard-for-measuring-body-composition
3. https://revitalizemedicalsolutions.com/dexa-scans-are-the-gold-standard-for-bone-health-assessment
4. https://dexascan.com/blogs/news/dexa-scan-the-gold-standard-of-body-composition-analysis
5. https://revolutionhealth.org/blogs/news/dexa-for-body-composition-in-2025
6. https://dexascan.com/pages/body-composition-1