A personal weight scale isn't just a home accessory. It's also an ally in your battle for weight loss. Some scales are able to judge your changing fitness level by measuring your percentage of body fat against muscle; once you've met your weight loss goals, these advanced scales help you set new goals for yourself. While cost is the bottom line for many, you'll find a variety of scale options in any price range. Expect to pay anywhere from $10 for a no-frills mechanical model to hundreds of dollars for a space-age scale.
Step 1
Check the total weight capacity for the scale. This should be printed in the product literature, on the box, on the website (if you're shopping online) and sometimes on the scale itself. Your weight must be less than the scale's total capacity to both get an accurate reading and avoid damaging the scale.
Step 2
Check whether the scale is a spring, lever or sensor type. Spring and lever scales are classified as mechanical scales and have a dial readout instead of a digital display. Avoid spring scales, if possible, as they become less accurate over time. Digital scales, on the other hand, usually have from one to four weight load sensors.
Step 3
Try the scale on for size. If you have extra-large feet, choose a scale with an extra-large foot platform and a raised dial that leaves more space for your feet. Measure the place where you intend to house the scale so you know exactly which dimensions you can accommodate. If you're planning to slip the scale underneath a piece of furniture when it's not in use, measure how much space there is underneath the furniture.
Step 4
Shop for options, such as the ability to digitally log your weight changes over time, sometimes for more than one user; the ability to speak weight results out loud in more than one language (for those who may have limited vision); the ability to calculate your body mass index (BMI) or your body's percentages of fat and muscle; and wireless transmission of your results to your computer. If these options aren't important to you, buy a basic model.
Tips and Warnings
- Some features will be on almost all digital personal weight scales: An automatic on/off, a toggle to switch from pounds to kilograms, and auto-zeroing or auto-calibration. On mechanical scales the on/off switch is irrelevant, pounds and kilograms are probably both displayed on the dial. You may need to have the scale zeroed out or re-calibrated as the mechanism wears down over time.
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