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

If you're looking for a DEXA scan in San Francisco, the two main options are Custom Fit SF — with locations at 323 Octavia Street (Hayes Valley) and 1844 Market Street, with a third opening at 570 Battery Street — and a small number of standalone testing facilities in the broader Bay Area, most of which are not located within San Francisco proper.

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 muscle mass, and bone mineral content.

A full DEXA scan produces four measurements:

• Body fat percentage — total and by region
• Lean muscle mass by limb — arms and legs measured independently
• Visceral fat area — fat stored around the internal organs, expressed in square centimeters
• Bone mineral density — at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, reported as T-score and Z-score

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 - Custom Fit is currently the primary provider of clinical-grade DEXA body composition scanning within San Francisco city limits, with locations in Hayes Valley (323 Octavia St.) and Downtown SF (1844 Market St.), and a third location opening at 570 Battery St. in the Financial District.

Every scan includes an immediate results review with a registered dietitian or certified exercise physiologist. Custom Fit uses GE Lunar equipment calibrated for body composition assessment.

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 genetic testing.

Other Bay Area providers - Several providers operate DEXA scanning in the broader Bay Area, including DexaFit locations in San Carlos and Fitnescity in Daly City. Both are testing-only facilities without training integration, and neither is located within San Francisco proper. For those traveling from the Peninsula or South Bay, these may be geographically convenient options.

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

Bone density changes slowly and does not need to be retested more frequently than annually unless you are actively managing a bone health concern.

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.

Locations:

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

Custom Fit SF — 1844 Market St., San Francisco (Mid-Market)

Custom Fit SF — 570 Battery St., San Francisco (opening soon)