I've mentioned the desire to monitor my weight and body fat together, rather than weight only. Well, I finally decided on and purchased something for this purpose, the Omron HBF-500, and was able to order it online for under $70 including shipping.
I've had it for about a week now. Here are my thoughts.
I believe the weight is both accurate and consistent. I've stepped on and off the scale and had it return nearly identical readings, better than our other scale. It also returned a number close to the reading from a nurses office earlier in the week when I first got it. And as long as I step on it at the same time each day, I'm getting consistent readings day after day. For that matter, I consistently get a higher reading at night than in the morning. For my own purposes, I've decided that the scale is cranky in the evening and shouldn't be bothered. I now only use it in the morning after it's had a good night's sleep.
The body fat feature is a little tricky at first. It works for up to four users. You have to program in some data before first use and if you want the BF measurement, you have to remember to tell it which user you are before you step on the scale.
I'm not sure how accurate it is, but again, it is consistent. It measures my body fat within a single percentage point each time. It is, giving a reading about 4 percentage points higher than the reading from the nurses office the week I got the scale, but I don't know which reading is more accurate. I figure it doesn't matter if the absolute number is correct. If the scale is consistent, I should be able to tell if I'm making relative progress in the desired direction.
Other features include visceral fat level, skeletal muscle percentage, resting metabolism, and body mass index, but I haven't used any of those at this point.
Overally, I'm pleased. If anyone is considering buying a scale with BF feature, I'd recommend considering this one as you are making your decision.
that's the one they used at the gym for my assessment last week. I'll be blogging about that in the next few days. it told me i was almost 8 lbs heavier than the 2 other scales I have at home. i didn't like it lol. and my scaled is cranky in the evenings too. :D
ReplyDeleteEeehhh, I am tempted but scales make me kinda more crazy about my body image than I already am..Am curious how you like it in the long run though..
ReplyDeleteThat looks/sounds pretty neat! Looks like a good way to monitor your progress, especially since it seems consistent.
ReplyDeletevery cool...I would be interested in one of those. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteWow, pretty cool to a scale that will do all that for only $70. I'm curious how it determines resting metabolism... just a formula or an actual reading? Anyway sounds like a great tool. And my scale seems to be cranky at night, too. I also am pretty sure it gets PMS along with me and shows higher numbers out of grouchiness. ;)
ReplyDeleteOhhhh great review. Thanks Lisa! I've heard good things about this scale before. I can't remember where though . . .
ReplyDeleteIf you want to measure body fat, you need to get one of those calipers. They aren't expensive.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree that consistency is the more important than absolute numbers. And enough rest, IMO, is relative. I find that it depends on the workouts and amount of workouts. Sometimes I might need 2 days off from a really tough long brick workout that just wears me out both physically and mentally. Other times, doing something else totally different, say, a swim the day before or after a long run or a long bike is fine. Unless you have a coach telling you what to do, the next best thing is listening to your body, I think.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like your new toy!
As far as the cranky evening weight - everyone weighs more later in the day than they do first thing in the morning. Studies have shown that we lose as much as 2-3 pounds as we sleep to waterloss from sweat and water vapor from breathing. It's always best to measure your weight first thing in the morning after going to the bathroom to keep everything consistent. Enjoy the new scale. It sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteohh good review, I've wondered about a lot of those scales
ReplyDeleteHmm...I've actually been thinking about getting a new scale. Mine is all wonky. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteWow, wish I could just borrow it for the weekend. Want to mail it to me? Just kidding.....Sounds like you are pleased and got a good deal.
ReplyDeleteI need very basic scales. That sounds cool, but too much for me to think about.
ReplyDeleteSounds pretty cool. I have a love/hate relationship with my scale and have told him that he will only see me once a week... friday mornings. That's it. I can't handle daily crap from him...and his mood swings.. up down up down. LOL.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review!!!
ReplyDeleteI may check it out!!!
Good review.
ReplyDeleteAnd my scale must also be cranky in the evenings. I also read heavier then than in the mornings.
Is that the Tanita? I had this done at an IM expo a while back and was fairly pleased with the readings. I would think having the scale to help you face reality it would be easier to stick with a good eating plan.
ReplyDeleteWould you believe it.. that looks like the same scales I purchased when I was in Atlanta in the summer (taking advantage of the exchange rate... well why not!)... Anyhow... I'd be interested to see what you think. It's weird - when I turn the scale on and weigh myself, well if I immediately do it again I put on about half a kilo... then I weigh myself again and it sticks at the second weight ... same changes for the other stats... so when I do use the scale (not often enough - it's too scary), I ignore the first one and then weigh again... Maybe I do have a form of OCD!!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I have never seen one like that!
ReplyDeleteI have a BF scale and my friend swears it measures too high but I figure it's consistent within it's self and as long as I'm just using it (the scale not calipers) to measure body fat, then it's ok :-)
ReplyDelete