Tanita Body Fat Monitor > Reviews (11)

In today’s society many people are now beginning to actively look after their health, weight and take regular exercise.

If you are one of these people - then you might benefit from owning the Tanita Body Fat Monitor/Scales. These have been developed in direct response to growing concerns about fat-related illness’, which include high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and several forms of cancer. Unfortunately, unlike weight, body fat is not always visible and cannot be measured on ordinary scales. This monitor also gives you the convenience and privacy of being able to check and monitor your body fat within your own home.

The Tanita Body Fat Monitor is more than just conventional scales; it can measure weight and also calculates your body fat percentage. So if you are trying to lose weight or are just keeping fit, then these scales will give you a more accurate picture and will help make sure that you are losing weight from fat and not from muscle.

The monitor is able to calculate your body fat percentage, because you must stand on the metal plates that are on the scales with clean, bare feet. A small electrical current is sent through your body - which you cannot feel and so doesn’t hurt at all.

These scales are intended for use by adults and children over 7 years. This product is NOT recommended for people that have pacemakers or any other medical equipment that has been implanted.

The model that I am basing my opinion on is the Tanita BF-531 Family Body Fat Monitor/Scales. I have had this model for the past four years at least, and have found it to be very durable, and is very simple to programme and it allows up to four people to store their settings. It provides readings of body fat in increments of 1% and measures weight in stones, pounds or kilo’s. The maximum capacity is 136kg/21st 6lb.

What you get
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When you buy this monitor you get: -

the monitor (obviously!)
batteries - which are 4 x AA
full instructions and detailed body fat information
standard Manufacturer’s 1 year guarantee

How it works
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Storing your personal details
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When you first use these scales, you will need to enter some information about yourself, which will be used to calculate your body fat percentage. There are four buttons from which you can choose your own individual number on which to store your personal details. You are then asked to select either Adult or Child, either Male or Female and then your height. Your personal details are now stored and you can repeat the same with the other keys for the other family members. Next time that you want to weigh yourself, you just need to the button that you have designated to yourself.

Measuring your Body Fat
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To measure your body fat, you will need to remove your shoes and socks, and ensure that the soles of your feet are clean and dry. Tap your personal number button and the display will show your pre-programmed details, when the display has re-set itself to zero then it is ready for you to step on the metal plates that are on the scales.

It only takes a few seconds and as mentioned before you do not feel anything, so if you hadn’t been told that it passes a small electrical current through you then you wouldn’t know. After a few seconds, your weight will be displayed and then also your body fat percentage. If you continue to standing on the monitor, then the display will alternate between these two readings, and when you step off then these will be displayed for a further three times and then the unit will automatically shut off.

Using as Conventional Scales
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The Monitor can be used as conventional scales. There is a fifth button at the end of the four buttons containing the personal information, which is used for weight only. Just tap this button before standing on it and you will get a conventional weight reading, with automatic shut off when stepping off.

Accuracy
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The Monitor may not be completely accurate as the scale is sensitive to hydration levels, so you will need to make sure that you use it at the same every week, under similar conditions. So although the scale may not be completely accurate, it is still a good way of keeping a record of changes in your body over time, as it is only approx. 2% inaccurate.

Cost
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These are very expensive for what they are. I must have paid over the odds for mine, which was a while ago now and also because they were out of a catalogue. I have seen them in the Argos catalogue for £49.99.

Conclusion
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I have to admit that if I had the choice again, then I wouldn’t choose to buy these scales again, I think they are more of a gimmick than anything -but I’m sure they are suitable for the right person, it just isn‘t me!