Why do DEXAs regularly?
- Styles Studios Fitness
- Sep 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 30
Why Regular DEXA Scanning is a Game-Changer for Your Fitness, Nutrition, and Weight Loss Journey
When it comes to health and fitness, most people only track one thing: their
weight on the scale. But the truth is, your body is far more complex than a single number. That’s where DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scanning comes in — the gold standard for understanding what’s really happening inside your body.
Whether you’re training for performance, dialing in your nutrition, or navigating weight loss (including with the help of GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide), DEXA scans provide the insight you need to stay on track and make smarter decisions.
What is a DEXA Scan?
A DEXA scan uses a low-dose X-ray to measure:
Body Fat Percentage – not just overall fat, but where you’re storing it.
Lean Muscle Mass – how much muscle you have and how it’s distributed.
Bone Density – critical for long-term health and injury prevention.
This level of precision goes far beyond what a bathroom scale, BMI chart, or even calipers can tell you.
Why You Should Do Regular DEXA Scans
1.
Track Real Progress, Not Just Scale Weight
The scale can be misleading. You might lose “weight,” but is it fat, water, or muscle? A DEXA scan shows exactly what’s changing in your body composition, helping you focus on fat loss without sacrificing muscle.
2.
Guide Your Fitness Program
Strength training, cardio, mobility, recovery — all of it plays a role. DEXA scans give you a baseline and show whether your current routine is actually building muscle or just burning calories. Your workout plan becomes data-driven, not guesswork.
3.
Dial in Your Nutrition
Nutrition isn’t one-size-fits-all. By seeing changes in fat and muscle over time, you’ll know whether your calorie intake and macronutrient balance are working for you. A DEXA scan takes the guesswork out of whether you need more protein, fewer carbs, or a different fueling strategy.
4.
Protect Muscle While Using GLP-1s
GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Mounjaro®) can be powerful tools for weight loss, but they often cause people to lose muscle along with fat. That’s a problem — because losing muscle lowers metabolism, reduces strength, and makes it harder to keep weight off long-term.
Regular DEXA scans let you monitor muscle preservation closely, so you and your fitness/nutrition team can:
Prioritize strength training
Adjust protein intake
Ensure weight loss is coming primarily from fat, not lean tissue
This makes your GLP-supported weight loss journey safer, healthier, and more sustainable.
5.
Frame the Big Picture
Weight loss is never just about shrinking the number on the scale — it’s about improving your health, building resilience, and setting yourself up for long-term success. By seeing exactly how your body is changing, DEXA scans give you the confidence and clarity to keep going, even when the scale doesn’t tell the full story.
How Often Should You Scan?
Most people benefit from scanning every 3–6 months. That gives enough time to see measurable change while allowing you to adjust your fitness and nutrition strategy in real time.
The Bottom Line
Regular DEXA scanning is one of the smartest tools you can invest in for your health. It doesn’t just track progress — it shapes the way you train, eat, and lose weight. And if you’re on GLP-1s, it’s the safeguard that ensures your weight loss journey is building the healthier, stronger body you deserve.
Your journey is more than a number on the scale — DEXA helps you see the whole picture.
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