Smart scales: what is it and how is it different from ordinary ones?
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- How do smart scales work?
- What parameters do smart scales show?
- Who is Smart Scales suitable for?
- How does the smart scale synchronize with the mobile application?
- How to choose a smart scale?
- How to use Smart Scales correctly: 5 recommendations
- Answers to frequently asked questions
- How do scales determine body fat percentage?
- How do scales measure protein levels?
- What is the proportion of skeletal muscle mass?
- How do Smart Scales determine the age of the human body?
- What is the norm of muscle mass in women?
A smart scale is a unique gadget that is able to measure the physiological parameters of the body, saving information in a special application on a smartphone. In the era of smart technology, information about a person's weight is just an additional function of smart scales.
The device is designed in such a way that it can compile percentage data on: body fluid, muscle, fat and bone tissue. These indicators determine the level of physical activity of the body, as well as biological age due to determining factors.
These features just distinguish smart devices from simple floor scales, the possibility of which is only to measure body weight.
Given that the device is synchronized with a smartphone, all measurements remain recorded in one place. Most smart scales can connect with various sports services that allow users to get the most extensive information about their health. Some smart scale models are able to automatically distinguish between multiple users.
How do smart scales work?
In addition to a certain basic measurement function, some smart diagnostic scales can evaluate the structure of the body. They do this thanks to bioimpedancemetry - electrical resistance in tissues.
Diagnostic scales have special sensors on the surface of the gadget where the user's feet are placed. The operation of the sensors is sufficient to obtain general information. Therefore, there is no need to use medical electrodes all over the body.
Bioimpedance analysis is a method of diagnosing the human body, which determines the percentage of water in the body, the ratio of fat, bone and muscle mass. A harmless electrical impulse passes through the soft tissues, which is the basis of the method.
For more accurate measurements, you must follow simple rules:
- The balance must be placed on a solid surface.
- For proper contact and accurate information, it is important to stand on the scale platform with bare feet, without socks and shoes. Humidity or excessive dryness of the skin, as well as corns and calluses on the feet, can lead to small errors.
- During weighing and diagnosis of measurements, it is important not to allow any movement of the arms and legs.
- Do not weigh yourself when there is a lack of fluid in the body or when it is overabundant.
- It is important to observe regular weighing.
The smart scale should not be used by users with pacemakers or other electronic devices. During pregnancy, you can use a smart gadget, but with some caution. Models of high-quality smart scales can be useful assistants for identifying dangerous health complications in pregnant women.
What parameters do smart scales show?
The main parameters that measure smart scales:
- Weighing.
- BMR (calorie calculation).
- BMI (body mass index).
- Muscle mass.
- Bone mass.
- Protein in the body.
- The amount of fat in the body.
- Fluid in the body.
- Subcutaneous fat level.
- Biological age of the body.
Who is Smart Scales suitable for?
Smart scales will be useful for any person. But for a clearer understanding, you can divide the categories of users to whom such a gadget is suitable.
For sportsmen
Most modern smart scales are able to calculate the percentage of lean body mass. For those who train a lot and actively, and the weight remains in one place, the scales will be a good helper for displaying extensive indicators.
For those who maintain a healthy diet
One of the useful features of smart scales is the measurement of fluid in the body. An excess of water can lead to edema, and a lack, in turn, to fatigue and metabolic disorders. Therefore, smart scales are great for older users, those who support a healthy diet, people with metabolic disorders.
Pregnant women
Measuring the percentage of bone mass in the body is an important indicator. During pregnancy, bones can become more fragile and lighter, so a smart scale can be a great help in identifying a potential problem. If you are pregnant, you should get a recommendation for the use of the device from your doctor.
For those who want to lose weight or gain weight
Some models of smart scales are capable of measuring calculations of the number of calories consumed throughout the day and at rest. Therefore, smart scales will also be useful for people over 45-50 years old, which in general will allow them to control their health.
For those who maintain a healthy lifestyle
Smart scales will become a great assistant in the daily life of any person who seeks to improve and maintain the body in good shape. A gift of this format will be a good idea for any occasion.
How does the smart scale synchronize with the mobile application?
It often happens that users may encounter problems with application synchronization and personal settings.
Like other smart gadgets, smart scales work fully when paired with mobile phones or tablets. The information itself is stored on a cloud server from a specific brand of device. All data is processed in this cloud.
In order for the information to get into the mobile application, you need to connect the device to the Internet:
- Connection occurs by synchronizing the smart scale with a mobile device and connecting via Bluetooth.
- Connection via Wi-Fi wireless network.
The user will be able to see all the information every time, noticing changes in the body. To do this, you need to connect using bluetooth at each weighing.
How to choose a smart scale?
The individual choice of the user must be justified by the following criteria: purpose, financial budget, availability and synchronization with other smart devices.
The functionality of smart scales must respond to user requests. Scales should be considered on the basis of measurements of necessary and useful parameters.
When choosing a gadget for yourself or as a gift to loved ones, you need to consider the following factors:
1. Having a clear mobile application is essential for advanced diagnostics and data analysis, as well as an interface translated into a user-friendly language.
2. The materials from which the body of the device is made. Popular materials that manufacturers often use are tempered glass and plastic. There are also models:
- Made of wood, the cost of which is quite high.
- Made of stone - have a heavy weight and high cost.
- Made of glass - more reliable than models of scales made of plastic, have an attractive design.
3. Main features. Smart scales are electronic, so there is much more sense in them than in conventional scales. Important measurements of such a gadget are indicators:
- Body mass index.
- Amounts of fat / subcutaneous fat / visceral fat.
- The amount of liquid.
- Weight measurements.
- Protein level.
- Body age.
4. Maximum user weight. Almost all smart scales have a common standard for maximum allowable weight. This is taken into account for the purpose of accurate measurements. The Ukrainian brand Gelius offers the Gelius Pro Index Pro Blue model with the allowable weight calculation - up to 180 kg.
5. Budget. You can choose smart scales based on the following price gradation:
- the cheapest models in Ukraine can cost an average of 700 UAH;
- the average cost for weighing devices varies between 1000-2000 UAH;
- high cost, in turn, can be - from 5 to 20 thousand hryvnia.
The purchase of such a device does not require the cost of extremely expensive models. To use smart scales and obtain all the necessary information, inexpensive models and models in the middle price segment are sufficient, which accurately measure the necessary indicators.
How to use Smart Scales correctly: 5 recommendations
To obtain accurate information about various indicators of the body and the body, you must follow simple recommendations.
Recommendation #1
For more accurate information, as well as to compare changes in the user's body, you should use smart scales at the same time of day.
Recommendation #2
It is best to weigh yourself and measure other indicators before eating and playing sports.
Recommendation #3
The floor surface in the apartment must be flat for the stability of the gadget.
Smart scales: what is it and how is it different from conventional ones
Recommendation #4
Before using the smart scale, you need to make sure that the skin of the legs is dry. Weigh in with bare feet.
Recommendation #5
Smart scales can be charged from a mains charger or run on conventional batteries that need to be changed on time.
Answers to frequently asked questions
How do scales determine body fat percentage?
The system of the device for the necessary calculations uses the value of the electrical resistance of the tissues. From the total mass figure obtained, a specific summary part of the body areas where no fat deposits were found is calculated.
The amount that remains corresponds to the percentage of the subcutaneous lipid layer.
Measuring the level of body fat provides the ability to track and control physical activity and diet.
How do scales measure protein levels?
This function is more difficult. The developed formula, which calculates the desired parameters, can be calculated using bioimpedance analysis. The difference that is used in the development is between the percentage of body fat, as well as the total body weight.
What is the proportion of skeletal muscle mass?
Skeletal muscle mass (muscle mass) is an important indicator of the physical strength of the body. This mass is: the level of liquid / water in the body, the norm of which is up to 75% and the level of the non-aqueous part (protein mass).
The indicator of muscle mass directly depends on the diet and diet, as well as on the level of physical activity and training. To maintain the water balance in the body, you can purchase a smart thermal bottle, and for more productive workouts, a smart skipping rope.
How do Smart Scales determine the age of the human body?
Modern devices allow users to provide information about the biological age of the organism and the body. The developers have considered this possibility thanks to the data on human basal metabolism, the use of which is incorporated in the algorithm of the smart scales. Accurate calculations require parameters of height and weight of a person.
In the human body, basal metabolism slows down with age. All calculations are correlated with average age indicators, which provide a definition of the real age of a person.
What is the norm of muscle mass in women?
The standard indicators of muscle mass for people without sports activities are: about 45% for men, for the female body - about 35%.
For people who regularly train and maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is typical to strive to improve the level of muscle mass by building it up.