Suggestions on any good accurate scales?
 

I need to buy an accurate scale because I don't have one. And also the one at the gym is way off and really old. Does anyone have any suggestions on any good scales?

Thanks

I use a taylor glass scale, it was the most expensive one at the store, but I'm pretty disappointed with it. The bodyfat readings are way off, and it fluctuates too much. If you weigh yourself 10 times you will only get the same number 6/10 times. I think this is a common problem with most bathroom scales anyways, because high quality scales like that at the doctors office or ones used for weigh-ins (wrestling, boxing, mma) are hundreds of dollars. So don't go out and spend too much on a really fancy one with all the bells and whistles, just get a digital scale that takes your wait, get a cloth tape measure. The tape measure will truly tell you if you are losing fat. You could also have your doctor or gym staff test your body fat % and then take another reading in a few weeks or months.

I have had the same problem with bathroom scales. Even an analog one that is properly zeroed will read differently depending on how well your weight is centered on the pad. I now use an industrial scale at work that was intended for measuring gas bottles. I can weigh myself ten times, and it will be the same every single time. It reads in half pound increments. If you do a google search for "gas bottle scale" you can find one like this, but be prepared to spend upwards of $500. Otherwise, just do as someone else suggested and take an average of your weight readings on a crappy scale and give more credence to the tape measurements.

The key to all this is try not to move your scales ,I prefer digital, and use only those dont be tempted to jump on others they will most definitely be different
Pam

I've been using this one-
Walmart.com: Health o meter Oil Rubbed Chrome and Silver Scale: Home Medical
Seems to be accurate, more so than the non digital one I was using previously.

I also use a Health o Meter digital from Wal-mart. I am very happy with it and it seems to have good repeatablility. I looked on the Wal-mart web site but I don't see my model.

Scales with Body Fat, etc.
 

My old reliable Pelouze 400 lb digital packing scale is great, but I've been thinking about how I'm going to "keep score" once weight isn't the answer any more.

The thought came to mind that tracking body fat/muscle mass might be a good way. I know these consumer level devices are not particularly accurate, but if they can at least give a consistent, repeatable reading I'd be happy.

Any recommendations?

Regards,
Michael

I've had problems measuring body fat. Take 2 different machines, get 2 different answers. Use an online calculator, get a different answer again. My % ranges from 18 - 28%.

Trouble is, there isn't a totally reliable method short of autopsy, which I presume isn't on your agenda!

Therefore, pick a method and stick to it. I've more or less given up on the idea and will do the old fashioned methods of scales, mirror and trousers.

There is one method I've been told about, however, that does seem to get the most accurate results:- Hydrostatic weighing. It involves weighing you dry and then weighing you totally submerged in water. Don't ask me how it works, but apparently it does. Have a Google and see if it exists in your locale. Personally, I'm not going to bother with it.

Yeah, that's what I thought. Truthfully, I'm not that hung up on having an exactly correct number--I just want something that is consistent, even if it's off as long as it's off consistently, if you get my drift.

If I lose more fat and somehow manage to gain a little muscle, I want the device to tell me. I find that I do much better if I have some concrete way to "keep score". While losing weight, of course the scale is easy. Once it comes time to maintain and work strictly on overall "fitness" that's where I foresee trouble.

Regards,
Michael

Michael, I found this to be helpful. Once I got to my goal weight, I knew I needed goals to help keep me motivated, so I changed to a body fat goal.

I have a Tanita scale that measures body fat and I know that any scale's accuracy is not altogether excellent, but, as you said, watching the change rather than considering the absolute number was very helpful for me. When I started, I was at about 27% body fat; now it's 19%. Whether or not it's actually 19% is anyone's guess, but I know it's a lot lower than it was before. It's been to 17, 18%, so my goal is to get back to that. My percentage never varies more than 1%, unlike Geoffers (unless there's a lot of water weight; see below).

I also find it very helpful to use the body fat percentage number to not freak out about water weight gain. For example, if I get on the scale and I'm up a pound or two, but the BF percentage is at, like 15, then I know it's water weight.

I'm toying with the idea of doing hydrostatic weighing just to see how close the result is to my scale, though there hasn't been an easy place to get it done as of yet.

You are doing awesome, my friend...keep up the great work; you are inspirational to many :D.

Cassie, thanks--that's what I think I would like. What model Tanita do you have? Having numbers to keep score with will, I think, be most beneficial to me when that time comes.

As to being an inspiration, well, I hope I'm helping--sort of a way to pay it forward a bit and at the same time work though my own food issues.

I see you're right on the cusp of a full year of maintaining--now THAT is inspirational!

Regards,
Michael

It's called the Tanita Ultimate II (UM036). However, it is several years old, maybe 8? I am sure that they've come up with NEW!! IMPROVED!!! products since then. I know there are some that measure all sorts of body composition, and they can get quite pricey. I just picked mine up at Target and it's served me well with only measuring weight and body fat. It was probably around $30.

Michael,

another option is a body fat caliper. I use an Accu-Measure but the scale the Cassie recommended would probably more convenient.

Mike, I've seen those--not sure how they'd work on us with lots of spare skin/flab? I mean, I can literally "pinch a foot" :eek:. I will have a closer look at them, though.

Regards,
Michael

Omron HBF-514
 

I bought this about a year ago. First scale I've owned in 25 years. It got pretty good reviews from Amazon when I bought it, although 1 guy really hated it. It has the body fat etc. features, which I haven't used too much recently, but I'm planning on starting up again. It also has some record keeping features that allow you to compare multiple readings over time.

When I first bought it, it was a bit off (higher weight and BF) relative to the Diet doc's scale so I was kind of discouraged. But since I am pretty close to where I want to be weight-wise and I'm not going to the Diet doc anymore, it isn't such a big deal.

Like lots of folks have noted as long as I don't move it, it reads quite consistently, so I would recommend it.

Pam

Best Scales Out There?
 

I just read FitDay's Best of Series: Tips for Weight Loss and the first tip here was "Beware of the scale".

This is something that has really been a problem for me because I personally had a love and hate relationship with my bathroom scale. I would obsess over my weight and weigh myself more than once per day (which is definitely not a good thing to do), because I was so desperate to see even the tiniest change in my weight. Then, after seeing the same number staring me in the face I'd just feel miserable and depressed for the rest of the day.

I know experts always say how people focus only on losing weight, not on getting rid of the fat and how regular scales only measure weight loss or gain. I personally started using the Quantumscale (because it doesn't display a number but records tour weight and informs you on your progress, so it's a great way to control your weight but without feeling frustrated when you're plateauing. It's been working for me, I stopped weighing myself that often and seeing the progress from the first day of diet gave me a motivation boost, so I'd definitely recommend it.

I also know there are scales out there that can measure your body fat by sending an electrical current through your body in order to basically read your percentage of body fat. I'm not really sure they actually work, plus they're expensive so would you say they're worth the investment? I've also heard of DEXA scales, that measure where your body fat is stored without being invasive. These would be quite useful, but then again, they can go as high as $300, quite pricey.

What's your opinion on that? Are you happy with your regular scale? Do you think scales can actually measure body fat or tell you if you're only losing water weight, or this is all just marketing strategy?
Thanks!