Can You Do a BOD POD Test With a Pacemaker or Defibrillator?
.
One of the most common questions I get is:
“Is a BOD POD test safe if I have a pacemaker or defibrillator?”
The short answer is: yes, it’s safe.
The BOD POD measures body fat and muscle using gentle air pressure changes—no electricity, no magnets, and no radiation.
.
.
.
What COSMED (the Manufacturer) Says
.
COSMED calls the BOD POD “safe and non-invasive,” explaining it uses only air displacement—not electricity, not radiation, not magnetic fields. (Source: COSMED)
That’s coming directly from the people who designed and built the technology.
..
.
Why Google Shows Scary Results
.
If you search online, you may see warnings like: “Not recommended for people with pacemakers, defibrillators, or who are pregnant.”
Here’s why:
● Those warnings almost always refer to bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) devices like InBody, Tanita, or smart scales, which use electricity, or DEXA scans, which use radiation (like an x-ray).
● The BOD POD is different. It uses air displacement only, so no electricity, radiation, or magnets are used.
● The different technologies get lumped together on blogs, hospital pages, and fitness sites, even though they are very different.
.
Even BIA scanners which use an electrical current have been shown safe under medical supervision. But the BOD POD doesn’t send current into your body at all—so the risk of interference with a pacemaker or defibrillator is considered negligible to nonexistent.
That makes sense when you look at the physics: the BOD POD doesn’t emit an electromagnetic field or send electricity through your body, so it can’t interfere with a pacemaker or defibrillator.
PubMed Source 1 | PubMed Source 2
.
What the BOD POD Feels Like Inside
It’s nothing like sitting inside a tight MRI machine.
- The BOD POD can accommodate subjects up to 7 feet tall and 550 pounds, so it’s designed to comfortably fit people of all shapes and sizes.
- It has a large window in front of you, so you never feel “sealed in.”
- There’s more headroom and space around your body than most people expect.
- The door only closes for a very short time—3 rounds of about 45 seconds each.
- For peace of mind, there’s even a panic button inside that immediately stops the test and lets you exit right away if you need to.
.
.
See It for Yourself
Sometimes it helps to see what the process looks like before you try it. Here’s a short demo video so you can preview exactly what to expect:
👉 Watch the BOD POD Demo on YouTube
.
.
Full Refund if You Can’t Complete the Test
To reserve your spot, you’ll need to book and pay online. But here’s my promise:
If you arrive on test day and realize you just can’t go through with it, I’ll give you a full refund. That way you’re never out any money if you decide it’s not for you.
.
.
BOD POD Testing in London, Ontario
.
Whether you’re looking to measure body composition for health, fitness, or performance goals, the BOD POD is quick, accurate, and safe—even for people with pacemakers or defibrillators.
.
Jennifer Broxterman, RD
Registered Dietitian
NutritionRx | London, Ontario, Canada
