In the journey of weight loss, many people focus on the scale, but often overlook a crucial metric—body fat percentage. Body fat percentage is a more accurate reflection of your health than simply focusing on weight alone. Unfortunately, despite the growing popularity of body fat scales, many users do not know how to use them properly, leading to inaccurate measurements and missed opportunities for better health tracking.

Why is Body Fat Percentage More Important Than Weight?

Losing weight is not just about shedding pounds; it's about losing fat, especially visceral fat, which is stored around vital organs. Body weight only tells you the total mass of your body, but it doesn't differentiate between muscle, fat, and bone. Body fat percentage, on the other hand, provides a clear picture of your body composition.

For example, two individuals may weigh the same, but one could have a higher muscle mass and lower body fat, while the other might carry more fat. A body fat scale can differentiate these two individuals and help you understand your actual health status. Maintaining a healthy body fat percentage is crucial in preventing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

How to Use a Body Fat Scale Correctly?

1. Ensure a Stable Measurement Environment
   Before using your body fat scale, make sure the environment is dry, particularly your feet. Water can affect the bioelectrical impedance measurement, leading to inaccurate results.

2. Choose the Right Time for Measurement
   The best time to measure your body fat is in the morning after waking up, on an empty stomach, and after using the bathroom. This eliminates variables like food and water intake that can affect the readings.

3. Consistency is Key
   For the most accurate results, measure at the same time every day, under similar conditions. This will help you track trends over time rather than focusing on daily fluctuations.

4. Avoid Measuring Right After Exercise
   After a workout, your body is in a different state due to changes in hydration and temperature. These factors can influence the measurements, so avoid using the body fat scale right after exercising.

5. Don't Overrely on a Single Measurement
   Body fat percentage can fluctuate due to a variety of factors, including hydration and food intake. It’s important to track your measurements over time and look for trends rather than focusing on one single reading.

What is a Normal Body Fat Percentage?

Normal body fat percentages vary based on factors such as gender, age, and fitness level. Below are general guidelines:

Normal Body Fat Percentage for Men:

• 20-39 years: 8-20%
• 40-59 years: 11-23%
• 60+ years: 13-25%

Normal Body Fat Percentage for Women:

• 20-39 years: 21-33%
• 40-59 years: 23-34%
• 60+ years: 24-36%

Having a healthy body fat percentage is important for overall well-being. Too much fat can lead to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and metabolic disorders, while too little fat can affect hormone balance, energy levels, and immune function.

SlimTrack Body Fat Scale: Your Ultimate Health Monitoring Tool

The Runstar SlimTrack Body Fat Scale is a precise, reliable tool for tracking your body composition. With 8-electrode technology, it measures body fat, muscle mass, water weight, bone density, and more, offering real-time insights via its mobile app.

What sets the SlimTrack scale apart is its integration with ecosystem body fat scale technology, enabling seamless data syncing across multiple devices. This allows you to track long-term trends, gain actionable health insights, and adjust your routine to meet your goals.

Additionally, the SlimTrack scale includes athlete, pregnancy, and baby modes, making it versatile for all users. Plus, it’s FSA/HSA eligible, perfect for enhancing your health management.