Scales - body composition analyzers intrigued all sports fans and not only. Indeed, a device that can accurately determine the basic parameters of the body seems so futuristic that not everyone is ready to believe in the veracity of its data. Anyway, how does the body composition analyzer work and are there any independent users who have time to test it? Let's get it right.
Analyzer scales - what is it?
Scales - body composition analyzers are a more complex instrument than conventional floor scales. By and large, this device is referred to as medical devices that are used by dietitians in their work. But more recently, they have become available to the ordinary consumer.
The uniqueness of the device lies in the fact that it is able to measure not only body weight, but also the amount of bone and adipose tissue, as well as the amount of water that is contained in the body. Externally, the body composition analyzer looks like ordinary electronic scales, their only difference is the electrodes, which perform the main function of this device.
How it works?
You will probably be wondering how such a small device can see your whole body through and through. In fact, everything is simple. The functioning of the body analyzer is based on the laws of physics.
On the lid of the scales are special electrodes that pass weak electrical impulses through the human body. Based on the different resistance of bone, fat and water, the device draws the appropriate conclusions based on the programmed norms. Before weighing, you need to enter data on the height and age of the person, since the readings depend on them, with which your device will compare the parameters.
Compared to professional instruments, electronic scales with a body composition analyzer show fairly accurate data. But, judging by the reviews, cheaper models can underestimate the performance of fat and bone mass.
Why do I need to control body composition?
Before buying this or that device, you should always think about the appropriateness of such expenses. Moreover, the price in comparison with conventional floor scales for a high-quality body composition analyzer, to put it mildly, “bites”.
This device will be indispensable for those people who want to lose weight. The fact is that many people who do fitness or simply follow a diet, standing on regular scales for a long time, do not see any weight dynamics. This is the main reason that people simply find themselves halfway from their goal.
Weight in itself cannot be the basis for the cessation of sports. While maintaining the same value of body weight, its parameters can vary. Thus, muscle tissue becomes larger and less fat. In this case, the weight may remain unchanged.
Indicators
Floor scales with a body composition analyzer can display eight parameters of your body at once. Each of them has a certain importance in the fight against overweight or in the process of increasing muscle mass. Body composition analyzer shows:
- weight;
- muscle mass;
- the percentage of fat in the body;
- internal fat;
- metabolism;
- water
- bone mass;
- metabolic age;
All these parameters, by and large, depend only on the nutrition and daily activity of a person. Of course, age and gender also influence weighing results, but to a lesser extent. What each of these parameters means, you can find out in more detail in their decoding.
Weight
Electronic floor scales with a body composition analyzer, in addition to the weight indicator itself, additionally display another parameter. Body mass index is the ratio of height and weight of a person.
Also, the body composition analyzer can tell you your ideal weight, that is, the same figure that you should strive for. Indeed, many, setting a goal, are guided only by generally accepted standards, while not taking into account their individual characteristics.
Muscle mass
Most calories destroy muscle. The more movement in a person’s daily life, the more his body needs energetic “nourishment”. Therefore, weight loss goes hand in hand with muscle loads. It can be anything: fitness, aerobics, dancing or a simple, but quite active morning exercise.
It is known that a person needs protein for the proper functioning of muscles, and indeed the whole organism as a whole. The internal reserves of protein in humans are scarce, therefore, it must be extracted from the outside in two ways:
- from food;
- from your own muscle tissue.
A body composition analyzer with weight loss helps a person control that the positive results that normal scales show are achieved by burning fat, not muscle mass. Shrinkage of muscles is very dangerous and does not bring anything good in itself.
The percentage of fat in the body. Internal fat
To determine "by eye" the percentage of adipose tissue in the body is almost impossible. As a rule, people are guided either by the size of the fat folds or by the norms of the body mass index. Both of these methods are uninformative.
The fact is that there is such a thing as a “fat mass norm." This is the amount of adipose tissue in the body that is necessary for it to function normally and fully. Therefore, excess fat burning can also be harmful.
It is worth recalling the internal fat, which carries a considerable threat. These are fat deposits on the internal organs of a person. Excess internal fat creates an additional burden on the kidneys, liver, etc., and also increases the likelihood of diseases of the cardiovascular system, diabetes mellitus, etc.
Analyzer scales allow you to see the overall dynamics of changes in the human body. A decrease in adipose tissue with a simultaneous increase in muscle is recognized as a normal change. It is important to remember that overweight creates an additional burden on the heart, joints and spine, and also increases the risk of serious diseases.
Metabolism
Roughly speaking, the metabolic rate shows how many calories your body burns without physical activity. This indicator is influenced by many factors, but perhaps the most important of them is heredity. Moreover, overweight people have an increased metabolic rate. This explains the fact that at the beginning of a diet, weight always goes away faster.
The number of calories a person can consume per day is shown by a body composition analyzer. Tanita is one of the most famous brands of this miracle device, it displays very accurate data with which you can calculate your individual calorie needs.
Water
When asked about how much water is contained in the human body, many would have answered without delay - 80%. This is actually not the case. Estimated values are 55-60%. At the same time, the norms for men and women are slightly different.
It is imperative to supply your body with clean drinking water. After all, your well-being, youth and mood depend on it. Therefore, the daily intake of water is 1.5-2 liters. And this is not a myth at all.
Bone mass
Bone mass is not a key indicator in weight loss, but it is still worth considering. The strength and weight of bone tissue is affected by the level of calcium in the daily diet of a person. With its shortage, bone mass deficiency may occur. This option is more suitable for people who are seriously involved in sports. Indeed, bone deficiency can lead to injuries with increased stress on the body.
Metabolic age
Metabolic age is an additional incentive for self-improvement. It’s unpleasant at the age of 20-25 to realize that your body is 40 years old, is it not? Scales - Tanita body composition analyzers allow you to find out all the necessary parameters, based on which you can post data on the metabolic age of a person. Ideally, the metabolic age should be less than or equal to the actual one.
Body composition analyzer: reviews
Unfortunately, body composition analyzers are not a “consumer” product among consumers. Therefore, we consider reviews of products of the most popular brand of this device. This is the Tanita scale.
The body composition analyzer of this manufacturer (by the way, he is from Japan) has a lot of positive reviews posted on the network. Most often, it is acquired with the same goal - independent weight loss at home. Scales - Tanita weight analyzers can significantly save on the services of a nutritionist and fitness trainer. All information about proper nutrition and sports exercises today is located on the Internet in the public domain, and weight analyzers only allow you to control changes in the body. Of the positive aspects of this device can be identified:
- accuracy of measurements;
- quality;
- design;
- ease of operation.
Some models of analyzer scales allow you to store information about the measurements of several users, so practicality can also be added to the pluses. Since they make it possible to monitor the parameters of the body not only of one person, but of the whole family.
Finally, you can dilute the barrel of honey with a small drop of tar. Impeccable things that would appeal to absolutely everyone does not exist. And that is a fact. First of all, many users complain about the price of this device, which can reach 17,000 rubles. It is also worth considering that pregnant women and people who are forced to wear a pacemaker will not be able to use it. The cheapest models of analyzer scales with a minimum number of functions will distort the data. This can adversely affect the results of training, because the user will not know the real picture of his progress.
Summing up, it can be noted that scales with a body composition analyzer, of course, are not essential goods, but nevertheless they can become a reliable ally in the fight against excess weight. Therefore, if you are confident in your abilities, then the body composition analyzer is a reasonable waste of money. Considering the cost of the services of a dietitian, personal fitness trainer and gym membership, scales with an analyzer will save a lot of your money. Moreover, with due diligence, they will make you a professional in matters of weight loss. At the same time, the result of independent work, as well as work with specialists, will definitely not disappoint you.