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Why compare bodQR and InBody?
If you’re in the market for a tool that delivers body analysis to prospects and members of your fitness, nutrition or weight loss business, then bodQR and InBody are two options to understand and consider seriously.
Both bodQR and InBody produce reports that help prospects and members to better understand their current condition by calculating body composition estimates.
These body composition estimates can be referenced against population data to indicate relative condition level for an individual and can also be tracked over time to measure progress. In spite of the fact that both tools provide useful, ongoing body composition estimates, there are fundamental differences between the approaches taken by bodQR and InBody.
As such, you may find one to be a better match for your service delivery model, business objectives and budget. Given the different strengths of bodQR and InBody, you might also find these tools to be complementary and decide to use both in your business.
Software versus Hardware
The most obvious and significant difference between bodQR and InBody is that bodQR is a cloud-based software application accessible through any internet enabled device via web browser, including smartphones (with no app download required), while InBody is physical hardware (with software inside) that is placed in a facility. From this fundamental difference flows many important considerations for your body analysis tool selection, including the twelve discussed below.
Consideration #1: Susceptibility to Hardware Obsolescence
Hardware like InBody is susceptible to obsolescence as components such as processors or displays become out of date or less capable of running improved versions of the onboard or local software – which in turn can make a facility seem less modern or state-of-the-art to its members.
By comparison, cloud-based software such as bodQR has the distinct benefit of providing subscribers with seamless, continual updates -- whether that is improvements to the interface, new features or increased speed. In addition, web apps process all data on servers with unlimited scalability, ensuring performance is maintained over time. As such, bodQR has a significant advantage over InBody with regard to obsolescence risk.
Consideration #2: Maintenance, Space Requirements and Facility Placement
While software such as bodQR lives in the cloud and requires no physical space or maintenance, hardware like InBody is subject to normal wear and tear, accidental damage and misuse that can cause failure or render it inoperable, meaning that InBody devices may need repair or replacement over time.
As high unit cost makes it financially prohibitive to have multiple InBody devices in a single facility, these devices typically need to be placed in a space that is accessible to all members, as opposed to say a men’s locker room or women’s locker room. However, when an InBody is placed in a public space such as a lobby or lounge, there can be reluctance on the part of some members to use the device in front of others.
That said, placing an InBody in a dedicated office or other space that affords more privacy can also be problematic for other reasons. Most importantly, it is often too costly to have a dedicated space for a body analysis device, particularly when that space might otherwise be used for delivering services.
With bodQR, facilities can post QR codes for their branded app anywhere that there is member or prospect traffic -- front desk, exercise spaces, consultation offices, locker rooms, trainer station, class areas -- meaning that body analyses can be completed conveniently without any privacy issues.
So, the InBody presents challenges of maintenance, space requirements, placement and personal privacy that are not issues for bodQR -- which gives bodQR a meaningful advantage for operators who are concerned about efficient use of capital and space.
Consideration #3: On-Premises Self-Serve Capability
InBody devices are generally used with members on a supervised or staff-guided basis on initial use (and even on an ongoing basis), particularly as InBody scans involve printing reports onto templated forms that in turn require explanation. This approach fundamentally limits the amount of use that the InBody will get, as its availability is restricted to times when staff are free to individually supervise members and prospects.
By comparison, bodQR is designed to be entirely self-serve, enabling prospects and members of any experience level to complete a body analysis by simply using their smartphone to scan a QR code that can be posted throughout a facility. Further, results are instantly available in digital form, with an online walkthrough that eliminates the need for staff to explain the analysis results -- although there is also an option for staff-guided delivery of body analysis and results in the software as well.
For businesses that do not have excess staffing or floating staff who are continuously available to supervise body analysis or explain results, the self-serve capability of bodQR offers a significant advantage over InBody.
Consideration #4: Scalability for Simultaneous Users
With hardware like InBody, a facility is limited to conducting body analysis with one user at a time. This makes InBody best suited to facilities with smaller memberships and a low ratio of members to staff. In such a setting there is a lower likelihood that more than one member or prospect would want to access the InBody device at the same time, meaning that capacity constraints would not be as critical a factor.
As a web-based application, bodQR has unlimited scalability and can accommodate any number of simultaneous users across any number of facilities. So for example, if 100 members check in at (roughly) the same time for classes across 10 different locations, they can all scan a QR code for a body analysis simultaneously without waiting for others to finish, without asking for assistance and without requiring staff to explain their results.
This issue of scalability for simultaneous users of a body analysis tool is a critical consideration in business models with large memberships or that have a high member-to-staff ratio. Examples of high member-to-staff businesses include boot camps, HVLP gyms, HIIT studios, yoga studios, pilates studios and any of the many other group delivery formats where a substantial number of people arrive and depart at the same time based on class schedules or peak facility hours. Such businesses are very unlikely to get high utilization from body analysis hardware such as InBody, or to get a high penetration of body analysis into their overall membership given that the attendance pattern relative to staffing level makes the logistics of conducting these analyses so difficult. This capacity constraint can be a significant challenge for conducting both initial body and repeat body analysis in these business formats.
bodQR software presents an opportunity for businesses with high member-to-staff ratios to successfully implement body analysis regardless of membership volume, attendance level or traffic patterns, and to systematically get to know their members at a deeper level than was previously possible.
Consideration #5: Remote or Off-Site Body Analysis Capability
InBody hardware by definition requires that the user be physically present to complete a body analysis. As a further limitation of electronic equipment, InBody lacks portability as it needs to be plugged into a power source, connected to a WIFI or LAN (more on this below) and should ideally be positioned in a fixed location in a facility with minimal movement to avoid damage to internal components.
The on-site or in-person requirement and portability limitation of InBody are significant factors to consider for business models that involve anything other than on-premises services in a dedicated facility. In fact, InBody is highly impractical or even impossible to use with some or all members and prospects if your business falls into the following categories:
- fully online or virtual business delivering fitness, nutrition or weight loss services,
- partially online or hybrid business in which a subset of members exclusively uses remote services such as personal training, classes, coaching or nutrition counseling,
- mobile or in-home business with rotating or constantly shifting locations,
- outdoor businesses,
- shared space businesses that rent a facility for specific times or days, and
- businesses that conduct phone or online sales consultations and want to incorporate body analysis into the sales process
In contrast, bodQR software gives operators of all delivery models the ability to conduct remote or off-site body analysis from any location by simply sharing a QR code or link with their prospects and members, thereby offering far more flexibility than on-premises hardware such as InBody.
Even for those delivering exclusively on-premises services, bodQR provides a lower-friction and more convenient approach than InBody, with members being able to complete a body analysis from anywhere in the facility at any time.
Consideration #6: Results Reporting for Prospects and Members
The primary report format for InBody is a single-page paper template that is printed from an office printer connected to the InBody device. In addition, device owners can connect their InBody via local WIFI or LAN and push device data into the InBody cloud application. With this step, members and prospects can then download and register the InBody smartphone app, and in turn the cloud application can push results data to their phone app for viewing (requires a sync feature be enabled on the InBody by the device owner). As an alternative, members can instead scan their InBody data results sheets with their phones to request that their data be pushed into their phone app (requires that device data be transferred to and available in the cloud application). While the InBody phone app is superior to the InBody paper reports for keeping track of results data over time, there are limitations with data display relative to more flexible web or browser-based applications. Overall, as a paper-first device, online data review and retrieval with InBody has a relatively high level of complexity or friction compared with a natively digital tool.
bodQR does offer the ability to print color dashboards for those who prefer viewing paper or PDF reports. That said, bodQR is primarily designed to deliver a digital reporting experience that is highly graphical, colorful, rich and modern -- and available on any web browser (including on mobile devices) without the requirement of downloading an app and without any actions required by the subscriber to send data to the cloud or sync data for viewing by the their members. Rather than merely replicating a printed report online as with InBody, bodQR data is presented by a custom-branded bot narrator that sets the context for results and even asks questions (for example, to understand how results compare to expectations). In addition, users can expand graphics, get roll-over explanations of data, flexibly navigate through the report using a progress bar menu and interact with a visualization tool for goal setting.
Overall, the bodQR report interface is a sleek, beautiful, more accessible and more extensive online experience than the standard paper reports and phone app reports from InBody.
Consideration #7: User Interface
InBody uses a touchscreen panel with keyboard and small display screen for user registration and data entry. While it can be awkward for new users, the InBody panel is functional for a small amount of typing.
bodQR uses a web interface that is dynamic and takes advantage of the scrolling, swiping, typing and clicking actions that are extremely familiar to modern consumers (especially smartphone users), thereby allowing for easier, faster and more extensive direct data capture -- which in turn allows bodQR to generate a broader and more robust set of analyses beyond body composition.
Consideration #8: Data Capture, Output Breadth and Results Variability
InBody uses a combination of user-entered data (registration, height) and device-captured data (electrical impedance and weight) to support its calculations of body metrics. To perform the electrical impedance test, users take off their shoes and socks, step onto the InBody device platform and hold handles with metal plates. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) data helps InBody to estimate overall body composition and individual limb or segment composition as well. Since conductance of the electrical impulse is highly influenced by body water, there are numerous factors that cause variability in results -- for example, water consumption, food consumption, activity level, sweating, time of day, and whether someone has recently gone to the bathroom. While InBody is generally accurate within a few percent (except for those with metal implants and pacemakers), users may not be aware that there is a degree of "false precision" and "noise" in results due to the many variables noted and the range of possible outcomes for each measurement instance (without regard to any actual underlying changes to fitness and body composition). Although segmental analysis is not particularly useful or actionable for the typical fitness or nutrition consumer, this is a feature that makes InBody is a good choice for highly specialized or expert training environments where small changes in limb circumference or composition might be important to track.
bodQR calculations use research-validated formulas that are populated by user-entered data (including registration, height, weight, waist) and generates overall body metrics as well as estimates of overall fitness and other body capacity scores. Beyond standardized questions, bodQR also enables subscribers to create custom questions that can be added to the data capture process (optional). While bodQR is not subject to the variability of BIA measurements and does not require any disrobing, it is reliant on the accuracy of data entered by users, which means that care needs to be taken particularly in ongoing weight and waist measurements to ensure the highest accuracy and consistency over time (for example, by recommending that users take weight measurements from the same body scale and at the same time of day). As another feature that goes beyond InBody, bodQR can also capture progress photos, adding these to body analysis results and to a photo gallery for each prospect and member, offering a way to visually track changes over time. This approach to data capture makes bodQR a good choice for any fitness, nutrition or weight loss business that wants a convenient way to get baseline and ongoing overall body composition metrics as well as a broader set of body function estimates (see Consideration #11 below) that can be used in developing fitness and nutrition recommendations.
Consideration #9: Enterprise Data Accessibility
InBody hardware is designed primarily to produce paper reports for review in real time by a user and a professional, however results data is stored in the device and can be transmitted to the InBody cloud via local WIFI or LAN connection as part of an additional subscription fee (on top of device cost) that includes a monthly base amount plus a monthly per user amount. When set up to sync with the on-premises device, this paid cloud application can be accessed by device owners and their staff to view InBody results in digital form, and includes basic data management features such as grouping of results, history tracking and a report summary that can be used for discussions with members.
As a web-based application, bodQR captures and processes all data in the cloud, so results and analyses are instantly available online to subscribers and their users with no syncing required. In addition, bodQR includes a wide range of optional tools for aggregating, appending, analyzing and presenting results data including a persona and segmentation builder, group class data summaries, recommendation engine, automated sales presentation, custom question feature and a suite of dashboards to track engagement, sales opportunities and much more. bodQR does not charge subscribers extra for users or locations, which are unlimited for bodQR all accounts. Overall, bodQR offers more robust functionality to help subscribers better leverage results data for use in their business, with lower-friction and lower-cost access to data.
For chains and franchisors, bodQR offers the option of an enterprise implementation that enables viewing and roll-up of location-level data that can be used for performance management and marketing across the entire network of facilities -- something that is not native to InBody and provides a means of using data at scale for revenue generation and for delivering operational insights.
Consideration #10: Marketing Value
The primary marketing value provided by InBody comes from mentioning the availability of body composition measurement services in advertising and social media. This can help to drive inquiries from individuals who are interested in body composition analysis as part of an initial in-person consultation or part of an ongoing program. On its own, InBody is unlikely to be game-changing for marketing, but it can add incrementally to existing marketing efforts as further incentive to visit a facility.
While bodQR delivers the same marketing value as InBody when mentioning its availability and bundling it with services, its remote body analysis capability enables bodQR to actually drive new leads from website traffic that might not otherwise convert – and to revive old leads and former members through outbound email and text campaigns. bodQR subscribers can add a banner and/or button to their website that instantly pops up the body analysis app for site visitors, and subscribers can include links to their bodQR app in email marketing or other advertising, creating a unique and valuable lead magnet. bodQR also enables subscribers to make targeted offers to prospects and members who take a body analysis, and upon completion to guide them toward next steps such as booking consultations or purchasing services
Further, unlike InBody, the bodQR app and body analysis experience can be custom-branded for subscribers with brand logo, colors and more. As a web-based tool, bodQR also has embedded sharing capabilities such as an invite-a-friend (to take a body analysis) feature that can help to generate even more inquiries for subscribers. Finally, bodQR has optional marketing analysis tools for segmentation, building personas and appending consumer data that can improve targeting and conversion.
Marketing is one area where there is a wide gap in capabilities between bodQR and InBody, with bodQR providing far more value by virtue of being an online tool with built-in marketing analytics.
Consideration #11: Platform Depth and Data Actionability
InBody does one thing – body analysis. While it does this well, it is nonetheless limited in its application and usefulness due to the narrowness of its capabilities.
With bodQR, body analysis is just the first step in a sequence of (optional) analyses in the software platform, which also includes a Goal & Activity Profile, Fitness Diagnostic and Weight Diagnostic – comprising dozens of personalized scores and dashboards. As such, bodQR enables subscribers to develop a comprehensive understanding of prospect and member needs. Importantly, bodQR also helps subscribers to use this information to create business value, with a portfolio of tools such as a recommendation engine, opportunity tracking, and automated consultations.
Not only does bodQR capture a more holistic and extensive set of data and analyses, but it directly drives revenue, making its potential ROI faster and far higher than InBody.
Consideration #12: Cost to Purchase and Scale
InBody offers many different models of its body composition devices, with entry-level professional units starting at roughly $6,000 and high-end units costing roughly $19,000. Multi-location operators would need to purchase a unit for each facility, which could be cost-prohibitive as an upfront capital expenditure or as a debt incurred. The number of used devices on the market suggests that it may be difficult to resell an InBody device for close to the original purchase price should a facility determine that it does not deliver adequate value to justify its cost, so there is unavoidable purchase risk. In addition, InBody owners who wish to use device data on an enterprise basis or even simply among staff at a single location also need to subscribe to a cloud data service from Inbody that includes monthly base and per user fees.
bodQR is subscription software that does not require a substantial upfront investment – and in fact offers a free (forever) version so that subscribers can test the basic functionality of the system and gain initial acceptance by users and staff. Paid subscription pricing varies based on the number of scans required and the breadth of features included, but there is no additional charge for adding users or locations. With this utilization-based pricing structure, bodQR cost is more aligned to value delivered than InBody which has a high upfront cost regardless of the level of use that it ultimately gets. Also, bodQR subscribers can upgrade, downgrade or cancel their account at any time based on their business objectives and results – without any of the risk of a costly hardware purchase.
With paid plans starting below $100/month, bodQR is a far more affordable option than InBody for almost any fitness, nutrition or weight loss business – while also offering a far broader set of capabilities.
Deciding Factors
Below are some factors that can help you to determine the best option for body analysis in your business.
Factors that might lead you to choose InBody
- You have a low volume of (premium) clients
- You have a low ratio of (premium) members to (highly trained) staff (few members per staff person)
- You have expert staff who can go beyond limited explanations contained in printed reports to discuss data implications and make consistent recommendations
- You have (premium) members who are accepting of a higher-friction body analysis process
- Your members are not comfortable with or adept at using technology such as smartphones (for example scanning a QR code or viewing a web browser)
- You have available or excess space for housing equipment so that it is publicly or (ideally) privately accessible to all members
- You are open to paying monthly charges in addition to hardware costs, and are not interested in aggregating data to use for marketing, service development or strategic planning
- You have a specialized or elite training environment that requires segmental (limb) composition analysis
- You have the budget or capital to invest in hardware ranging from $6,000 to $19,000 per unit in addition to monthly cloud subscription fees
Factors that might lead you to choose bodQR
- You have a moderate to high volume of members (or a low volume of members who pay a low-moderate price)
- You have a high ratio of members to staff (lots of members, relatively few staff)
- You want to drive higher close rates and greater consistency in recommendations delivered to prospects and members by using automation
- You want to go beyond body composition metrics to incorporate goal, activity, fitness and nutrition diagnostics into your prospect and member analyses
- You want to implement remote body analysis, online lead generation, self-guided consultations or self-guided progress evaluations
- You want a brandable experience that captures data for use in marketing, including persona identification and segmentation
- You want a fast, low-cost, risk-free way to roll out body analysis in your facility
- You don't want to make a large capital expenditure or take on debt, particularly if you operate multiple facilities
- Your business has not widely implemented body analysis tools yet and want a low-risk way to test with your staff, prospects and members
- You want the ability to aggregate data within and across locations to improve sales and marketing
Factors that might lead you to choose both InBody and bodQR
- You have a subset of your membership that requires segmental analysis
- You have a subset of your membership that requires remote body analysis
- You have an interest in using online body analysis (bodQR) for lead generation but prefer hardware (InBody) on premises
- You already have an InBody device and want to gain additional benefits of bodQR such as an expanded range of analyses, use with remote members and web-based lead generation
- You already have an InBody device but only use with a small fraction of members under supervision, and would like to make body analysis more accessible to all members as a self-serve amenity and as a way to identify potential personal training and small group training clients
- You already have an InBody device but it is not getting enough utilization or needs to be replaced, and you'd like to test a new option with greater accessibility and flexibility for your prospects and members without making a large capital expenditure
Summary Comparison
Next Step
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