DEXA Body Composition Scans Compared
Compare DEXA scan providers for body fat percentage, lean mass, bone density, and visceral fat analysis. See price by location, membership terms, and what each provider claims about accuracy.
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Prices verified Aug 13, 2026
| Provider | Scan Type | Price | Claimed accuracy | Duration | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DexaFit | DEXA | $149 | ±2% (DexaFit's claim) | 12-15 min | Franchise network, US + international |
| BodySpec | DEXA | $59.95 | ±0.5% on daily machine checks (BodySpec's claim) | under 15 min | CA/TX/WA/MA + mobile vans |
| Fitnescity | DEXA | $255 | No figure published | 10-15 min | 1,000+ partner sites nationwide |
| Live Lean Rx | DEXA | $75 | 98% (Live Lean Rx's claim) | 5-10 min | 22 locations across 15 states |
Location Pricing and Memberships
Most of these providers let each site set its own price. The per-scan figure above is the one we verified; your nearest location may charge more or less.
| Provider | Price by location | Memberships and packages |
|---|---|---|
| DexaFit | $90 (Omaha) to $150 (Minneapolis) per scan; each franchise sets its own price, with $99 new-client specials at some sites | Some locations only, priced locally (Louisville $89.99/mo, Las Vegas $125/quarter). Packages vary by site: 3-pack $360, 4-pack $300-$450, 8-pack $529-$599 |
| BodySpec | $59.95 per scan at every location (list price $139) | Optional. $39.95/mo for 1 scan or $69.95/mo for 2; quarterly $49.95 for 1 or $79.95 for 2. Cancel anytime; credits never expire and can be transferred |
| Fitnescity | $100 to $330 per scan depending on the partner site (Fitnescity's stated range); $255 in New York City | No membership. Multi-scan packs are priced per site (New York City: 2 for $490, 3 for $720, 4 for $920) |
| Live Lean Rx | $65 (Austin) to $75 (Chicago, Denver) per scan; each location sets its own price | No membership. Packages priced by location: 2 scans $119 (Austin); bundles with RMR and VO2 max from $275 to $650 |
How Accurate Is DEXA?
Accuracy is how close a scan comes to your true body composition. Precision is how much the result moves if you are scanned twice in a row. For tracking change over time, precision matters more.
- Accuracy. A review of DEXA body composition research found that most studies comparing DEXA with the four-compartment model, the reference method, observed significant differences (Toombs et al., Obesity 2012, PubMed). A DEXA body-fat percentage is a close estimate, not an exact value.
- Repeat-scan precision. In professional Australian football players scanned twice, percent body fat varied by 2.5% (coefficient of variation) on a fan-beam scanner and 5.7% on a pencil-beam scanner; fat-free soft tissue varied by 0.3% and 0.5% (Bilsborough et al., J Sports Sci 2014, PubMed).
- Precision depends on the site. The International Society for Clinical Densitometry's 2013 official positions set out how facilities should assess DEXA body composition accuracy and precision and the repeatability of measures (Hangartner et al., J Clin Densitom 2013, PubMed). The smallest change a scanner can reliably detect differs by sex, body region, tissue type, and body mass (Buehring et al., J Clin Densitom 2014, PubMed). A review of 25 DEXA studies in athletes found 7 reported no precision error, and fewer than half reported precision measured in athletes (Hind et al., J Clin Densitom 2018, PubMed).
What each provider claims
| Provider | Published accuracy figure |
|---|---|
| DexaFit | ±2% (DexaFit's claim) |
| BodySpec | ±0.5% on daily machine checks (BodySpec's claim) |
| Fitnescity | No figure published |
| Live Lean Rx | 98% (Live Lean Rx's claim) |
These are the providers' own statements, not independent measurements, and they do not measure the same thing: BodySpec's figure describes its daily machine checks, not the difference between two scans of one person. To compare your own scans, use the same machine, the same time of day, and the same preparation each time, and ask the facility what change it can reliably detect.
Features & Metrics
| Provider | Consultation | Tracking App | Athlete Mode | Radiation | Report Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DexaFit | Yes | Yes | Yes | About 4-8 µSv (published whole-body estimate) | Digital + PDF |
| BodySpec | Brief | Yes | Yes | About 4-8 µSv (published whole-body estimate) | Digital + PDF |
| Fitnescity | Yes | Yes | Yes | About 4-8 µSv (published whole-body estimate) | Digital + PDF |
| Live Lean Rx | Yes | Yes | Yes | About 4-8 µSv (published whole-body estimate) | Digital + PDF |
Provider Profiles
DexaFit
Franchise network with local pricing • 3D body scan add-on • Multi-scan packages • Memberships at some locations • HSA/FSA eligible
BodySpec
Affordable DEXA scans • Mobile van locations • Results in hours • App tracking • AI results consultant • Credits never expire
Fitnescity
1,000+ partner locations nationwide • Physician-reviewed results • Regional and android/gynoid analysis • BMD with z-score • NHANES percentile comparison • No referral needed
Live Lean Rx
Affordable scans • Quick results • Comparison tracking • Mobile app
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Metrics these devices report
A DEXA report breaks your scan into the body-composition and bone measurements below. VO2 max is not a DEXA measurement; it is listed because some scan centers here also sell a separate VO2 max test. Each page gives the reference range and the published targets we could verify.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate are DEXA scans for body composition?
DEXA is widely used as a reference method, but its body-fat figure still differed from the four-compartment reference model in most studies reviewed by Toombs et al. (Obesity 2012). Its strength is repeatability: in athletes scanned twice, percent body fat varied by 2.5% on a fan-beam scanner (Bilsborough et al., J Sports Sci 2014). Provider accuracy figures are their own claims.
How often should I get a DEXA scan?
For tracking body composition changes, every 3-6 months is ideal. This allows enough time for meaningful changes in lean mass or fat mass. More frequent scanning (monthly) may show too much noise from hydration and glycogen fluctuations.
Is DEXA scan radiation dangerous?
A whole-body DEXA scan uses a very small X-ray dose. Measured effective doses for an adult whole-body scan on Hologic Discovery scanners were 4.2 to 8.4 microsieverts, depending on the model (Blake et al., Bone 2006). The exact dose depends on the scanner and scan mode, so ask the facility if you plan frequent scans.
What's the difference between DEXA and InBody scans?
DEXA uses two low-dose X-ray energies to separate fat, lean tissue, and bone, and reports each body region. InBody and other bioelectrical impedance devices estimate body composition from how a small electrical current passes through the body. Impedance devices are cheaper and common at gyms; DEXA gives regional detail and is the usual choice for a baseline and for tracking change.
How should I prepare for a DEXA scan?
For best accuracy: avoid eating 2-4 hours before, avoid exercise the morning of, stay well hydrated (but empty bladder before scan), wear minimal clothing without metal, and try to scan at the same time of day for tracking purposes.
What metrics does a DEXA scan provide?
DEXA provides: total body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, bone mineral density, regional breakdown (arms, legs, trunk), visceral fat area/volume, and android/gynoid fat ratio. Some facilities add RMR (resting metabolic rate) testing to estimate calorie needs.