I have been using this model for the last year to track trends. It is handy that it has a bluetooth link. I started using MyFitnessPal to track calories and everything is trending in the right direction. Tracking calories has stopped me from “snacking” on less than ideal foods.
Jan 2, 2019 - 83.3 kgs and 22.6% Body Fat
Feb 16, 2019 - 76.5 kgs and 18.6% Body Fat
I am 56 and 183cm tall hoping to improve my Strava PR on local 30 min climb. I am currently doing SSBLV2, 3 runs a week, and 3 swims a week for a TSS of +/- 500 the last few weeks of increasing.
I’m using a Renpho Scale, that I got of Amazon.co.uk. I had a DEXA done yesterday morning, and didn’t eat or drink (bar a couple of mouthfuls of water over the commute.
Under “Normal” Settings Renpho showed 20.5% Body Fat yesterday morning
DEXA put me at 12.5%
Switched to “Athlete Mode” for this mornings weigh in, and the Renpho came in at 12.7%
I’m happy enough with that accuracy. I had assumed Athlete mode was for lifetime athlete’s.
The DEXA was part of a genetic study (GENOFIT in UCD for anyone in Ireland, looking for participants), which included quite a lot of other measurements too, which put me on the Athlete parts of the scale (except upper body strength!). So pretty much a nice ego boost of an hour so!
I use SmartScaleSync to get it to Connect (and onto My Fitness Pal), TrainerRoad, Strava via the FitBit app which will sync with the Renpho app.
I have a standard digital scale, which just shows weight. While reading this thread I got all gung ho to buy a smart scale, but then I couldn’t really figure out what I would DO with the data/information. So when I find out my body fat % is XX.X (which is just an estimate), then what? I already know I don’t workout as much or as often as I should ideally. My diet could use some help and I could certainly lose some fat (it’s been a long grey winter, don’t judge).
This isn’t like taking a FTP test and then setting up a training plan around it. Is this just more data to geek out about and then feel bad because your body fat % is higher than you imagine it should be?
So, how are you actually USING the smart scale data?
Mostly just looking at the weekly trend if I’m stable in weight and body fat. It helps me adjust my diet up or down based on that trend. I’m too old to worry too much about having a low body fat with six-pack abs showing through. I worry more about the visceral fat.
tbh that’s why I could never justify the cost of the Nokia or Garmin options. I went with a cheaper option, which wasn’t much more than a “normal” scales. At the moment the data is interesting rather than something I’m addressing, but I really love the automatic syncing across my apps!
Wow thanks for sharing. I wonder how we’d stack up me being the same height as you but a few kg’s lighter at 71kg now. I don’t have access to a Dexa-scan being in poor Sweden where the only DEXA-machine is hosted at the hospital and I’d have to be real sick to get a scan.
What activity level did you select in Garmin connect? i just got the scale and my body fat reading is 7.5% with activity level at 7, which is lower than reality.
For comparison we have a Conair unit measuring 18%, an older Tanita reading 13% regular / 5% athlete.
I know it is about tracking trends, but some accuracy would be nice
i am 57 yrs old and 183 cm tall, when healthy my activity level is about 12hrs a week, 3 strength, 3 bike, 3 swim and 3 walk/runs(dependant on plantar issue currently)
