Prepare for Your BodySpec Scan

4 MIN READ • BY The BodySpec Team • May 4, 2026

Stylized illustration of a person undergoing a body composition analysis, represented by concentric circles emanating outwards from the body.

Prepare for Your BodySpec Scan

Last updated May 2026

TL;DR Pre-Scan Checklist

• Arrive 5 min early; call 310-601-8184 if running late (5 min grace period)

• Eat and drink normally—or stick to whatever routine you followed at your last visit

• Skip intense exercise and sauna/steam sessions for 12 hrs

• Wear one layer of light, metal-free clothing; remove jewelry, watches, and keep hair down

• Empty pockets & restroom right before the scan

• Reschedule if you've had a barium or contrast-dye exam in the last 2 weeks

Consistent prep = consistent data. Follow the same routine every time

The food, hydration, and exercise timing steps above are recommendations, not requirements—your results will still be accurate. The logistics steps (arriving on time, removing metal, emptying pockets, and rescheduling after contrast imaging) do apply to every visit. These recommendations help keep your lean tissue measurements as consistent as possible between visits so your trends are reliable. Your DXA technician or our AI voice consultant (available on your dashboard when you log in to bodyspec.com) can answer any questions about how prep affects your results.

Why Preparation Matters (in 60 Seconds)

This complete guide to DEXA scans explains how the technology measures fat, lean tissue, bone, and visceral fat with a margin of error of ±0.5%, but the scan cannot distinguish between recently consumed food and your actual body mass.

Infographic showing how a pre-scan snack can inflate body mass readings. On the left, a figure is labeled 'Accurate'. On the right, a second figure with food inside its torso and an upward arrow above its head is labeled 'Inflated Reading'.

24-Hour Countdown

The steps below are a suggested consistency template, not requirements. The most important thing is to do the same thing at every visit—so if you arrive fasted, do so each time.

Time to Scan	Do This	Why It Helps	Status
24 hrs	Keep normal diet & hydration	Minimizes unusual body-water or glycogen swings, establishing a stable baseline	Recommended
12 hrs	No heavy workouts or saunas	Intense exercise shifts body water and can skew lean-mass readings, as shown in a 2013 study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise	Recommended
4 hrs	Finish last solid meal	Undigested food is measured as lean tissue	Recommended
2 hrs	Sip water only	Stabilizes hydration and avoids lean-mass swings	Recommended
Arrival	Remove metal, restroom break	Prevents image artifacts and ensures a comfortable scan	Required

Recommended steps aren't required for an accurate scan—but following the same routine at every visit keeps your trend data reliable.

A pair of light-colored running shoes sits on a floor next to a full glass of water, bathed in sunlight from a nearby window. This scene symbolizes the beginning of a 24-hour hydration and preparation period before a medical scan.

Set calendar reminders so future scans feel effortless.

Clothing & Jewelry

• One layer of comfy, metal-free clothing over underwear (think leggings + sports bra or T-shirt).
• Remove all jewelry, belts, smart-watches, wearables, and metal hairpins.

A belt buckle, a smartwatch, and a folded pair of jeans are displayed under 'NOT TO WEAR' with a cross mark above each item, indicating they should be avoided during a DEXA scan.

If you forget gym clothes, we can still scan you but wearing the same type of light clothing at each visit keeps your trend data as consistent as possible.

Fasting & Hydration

Eat and drink normally before your appointment.
Extreme fasting or carbohydrate loading can shift glycogen and fluid levels, altering lean tissue mass by over 3 lb in either direction, according to a 2017 study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology.

An empty white plate, a glass of water, and a fork on a beige kitchen counter. In the background, there's a stove, cabinets, and a cutting board with wooden utensils, all in a neutral color palette.

Exercise Guidelines

High-intensity training, long runs, or sauna sessions temporarily change body-water distribution. Keep activity light within 12 hrs of the scan.

An illustration comparing heavy exercise and light stretching. On the left, a man lifts a heavy barbell with a red X over him, indicating it's not recommended. On the right, a woman sits calmly performing a light stretch with a green checkmark over her, indicating it's recommended, likely before a medical scan.

Medical Imaging & Medications

• Wait 14 days after any barium study or contrast-dye injection before booking.
• Take prescribed meds as directed; skip non-essential supplements until after the scan.

An illustration showing a vial of contrast dye with a red prohibition sign over it, indicating it is not allowed. To its right, a pill bottle with a green checkmark indicates that prescription medication is allowed before a scan.

Pregnant or might be? We don't recommend scanning.

What to Expect on Scan Day (About 15 Minutes Total)

Check in 5 mins early.
Shoes off, pockets empty, jewelry/watch/wearables off, hair down.
Lie still, breathe normally—scanner time is about 6 min.
Get results in minutes plus guidance on interpreting your results through our AI voice consultant.

A woman stands with her back against a light gray wall, eyes closed, in a meditative or relaxed posture. She is wearing a gray t-shirt and black leggings.

FAQ

Can I drink water before my BodySpec scan?

Yes—but large volumes will inflate lean-mass numbers.

A hand holds a small glass of water, suitable for hydration before a medical scan. In the blurred background, a large water jug represents an amount of fluid to avoid.

Will my Apple Watch affect results?

Barely but it's better to remove all wearables.

Illustration showing an X-ray of an arm and hand. A bright, star-like artifact is evident on the wrist where a metal watch would be, obscuring the bones beneath.

What if I'm late?

Call 310-601-8184. We allow a 5-min grace period and will try to reschedule if slots are open.

How often should I rescan?

Every 8–12 weeks is ideal for tracking change. Members save 30% per scan—see DEXA membership perks.

A line graph displaying an upward trend, indicating progress or growth. A yellow line with a light blue arrow at the end moves from the bottom left towards the top right of the graph.

Corporate wellness event prep?

Sharing this page with participants helps ensure a smooth, on-time event for everyone. For additional resources or to schedule a group scan, visit our corporate wellness hub.

Next Step

Book your scan and set those calendar alerts—future you will thank you.