Where to Get a DEXA Scan in San Francisco: What to Look For and What to Expect

Custom Fit offers DEXA body-composition scans at 323 Octavia Street in Hayes Valley, San Francisco. Scans are performed and analyzed by Registered Dietitians or Exercise Physiologists, with guidance to help you understand the results.

This guide covers what to look for in a DEXA scan provider, what the scan itself includes, and what separates a useful body composition assessment from a basic one.

What a DEXA scan actually measures

A DEXA scan — dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry — measures body composition by passing two low-dose X-ray beams through the body at different energy levels. Different tissues absorb those beams differently, allowing the scanner to distinguish between fat mass, lean soft tissue, and bone mineral content.

A full DEXA scan produces four measurements:

• Body fat percentage — total and by region
• Lean soft tissue by limb — arms and legs measured independently
• Visceral fat area — fat stored around the internal organs, expressed in square centimeters
• Whole-body bone measurements — included as part of a body-composition report. Custom Fit’s service does not replace a clinical hip or spine bone-density examination or diagnose osteoporosis.

The scan takes 10 to 15 minutes. Radiation exposure is minimal — significantly less than a chest X-ray.

What to look for in a DEXA scan provider in San Francisco

Not all DEXA services are equivalent. The following criteria separate a useful clinical assessment from a bare-minimum scan.

Clinical-grade equipment. GE Lunar and Hologic are the two major manufacturers of DEXA equipment used in clinical and research settings. Both produce reproducible results when calibrated correctly. Ask which equipment the facility uses and whether it is regularly calibrated.

Results review included. A DEXA report without interpretation produces a printout most people don't fully understand. Look for a provider that includes a results review with a qualified professional — a registered dietitian or certified exercise physiologist — immediately after the scan. This is when the numbers become actionable.

Retesting on the same equipment. Body composition change is best tracked by comparing scans taken on the same machine under consistent conditions. A provider that uses the same equipment across your scans produces more reliable trend data than one where you might be scanned on different hardware.

Integration with other health data. A DEXA scan is most useful when the results are read alongside VO₂ max, bloodwork, and nutrition data. A provider that integrates DEXA with a broader health assessment — rather than offering it as an isolated service — produces more actionable output.

DEXA scan options in San Francisco

Custom Fit SF offers DEXA body-composition scans at 323 Octavia Street in Hayes Valley. DEXA is not offered at the Market Street studio. Members and non-members can book an appointment.

Every Custom Fit DEXA scan is performed and analyzed by a Registered Dietitian or Exercise Physiologist. Your results review connects the findings with your fitness and nutrition goals.

Unlimited DEXA scans are included with all Custom Fit personal training memberships, making retesting a standard part of program management rather than a periodic add-on. Non-members can book standalone scans or access DEXA as part of the Longevity Blueprint — a complete physiological assessment combining DEXA with VO₂ max testing, advanced bloodwork, and Nutrigenomix genetic testing.

The $1,250 Longevity Blueprint includes one DEXA scan, one VO₂ max test, advanced bloodwork, Nutrigenomix genetic testing, and a 30-minute Registered Dietitian review.

When comparing providers, confirm the scan type, exact location, staff qualifications, pricing and whether a results review is included. Body-composition scanning and clinical bone-density examinations serve different purposes.

What to expect at your DEXA scan appointment

Before the scan:

• Wear comfortable, form-fitting clothing with no metal (underwire bras, belt buckles, and zippers can interfere with the scan)
• Avoid eating a large meal immediately before the scan — a light meal two to three hours prior is fine
• Stay normally hydrated
• Try to scan at the same time of day across appointments to minimize variation from hydration and food status

During the scan:

• You lie flat on the scanning table while the scanner arm passes over your body
• The scan itself takes 10 to 15 minutes
• No preparation beyond clothing is required — no contrast dye, no fasting protocol

After the scan:

• Results are available immediately
• A qualified professional reviews each section of the report with you — body fat percentage, lean mass by limb, visceral fat area, bone mineral density, and what each number means for your specific goals

How often to get a DEXA scan

• Every 3 to 4 months if you are in an active body composition phase (structured fat loss, muscle-building block, post-injury return)
• Every 6 months for general tracking with consistent habits
• Annually for a baseline health assessment if no active intervention is underway

If you need clinical bone-density monitoring or have a bone-health concern, follow the assessment and retesting plan recommended by your healthcare clinician.

Is a DEXA scan covered by insurance?

Body composition DEXA scans are generally not covered by health insurance. Insurance typically covers physician-ordered diagnostic bone density scans for clinical management of osteoporosis — which is a different test with a different purpose.

Body composition DEXA scans at Custom Fit are out-of-pocket and available as a standalone service or as part of a membership or Longevity Blueprint package.

Book a DEXA scan at Custom Fit SF or learn how it fits into the Longevity Blueprint.

DEXA testing location:

‍Custom Fit SF — 323 Octavia St., San Francisco (Hayes Valley)