Background information

Body fat scales: keep an eye on these values

created on 9.1.2018

If you’re planning to lose weight and get fit, your total body weight isn’t necessarily the most significant value. Read on to find out which key measurements body fat scales provide.

Asked about their New Year's resolutions, many people say: «Getting fit». Body fat scales are a great way to monitor your progress and make sure you stay on track to achieving your fitness goals. With sensors and electrodes (on your hands and feet), they give you more insights into your body composition than your total weight. We looked into and discussed how accurate these measurements are in this article.

What your body fat scales can measure

Weight and BMI

Body mass index (BMI), which is calculated based on your body weight, is a guide value that describes your body weight in relation to your height and gives you an approximate indication on whether you’re underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese. A BMI of 18.5 to 25 is considered normal weight. However, BMI doesn’t take important aspects such as physique, sex, muscle mass and body fat mass into account. These measurements should be included in any interpretation.

Body fat and muscle mass

Body fat scales will indicate your muscle mass and body fat mass. These measurements are especially important if you work out a lot, as they allow you to determine whether you’re losing fat and gaining muscle mass. A healthy body fat range is 12-20% for men and 20-30% for women.

Body water

Your total body water (TBW) indicates the total percentage of fluid in your body. Adults have about 60% body water, whereas muscles contain more water than fat. Therefore, more body water may also suggest that you’ve gained muscles.

Bone mass

With regular workout, you can have a positive influence on your bone mass and density. Our bones are stimulated by muscle contractions, so the more we work out, the more density and mass they build up. The bone mass varies between 12% and 15% of your total body weight.