Which scale should I trust?

AutumnNight

AutumnNight

New member
I'm really confused about this situation. I've been using a mechanical scale for the past few weeks and it seems to be accurate. I find that using a scale with a needle etc. that moves when you actually get on it seems to be more useful. But then I decided to start using my digital scale again and it said I was 5 or 6 pounds over what the mechanical scale said. And the thing that made me distrust it is, it gave me about 3 different readings within a 1 minute time span. Should I continue using the mechanical scale? I'm feeling kind of depressed now. It's like my hard work for the past 2 weeks have gone down the drain. Does anyone have any advice? Thank you
 
I always found that electronic scales give variable readings. When I was using one I often found that I would get a few variable readings and then it would steady up on one, but it sometimes took me 10 readings to get a good result. They also seem to vary a lot when you move them around on the floor.

I know this isn't practical for everyone, but if you want a really accurate reading I say use a balance scale. I use the one at my doctor's office, but then I also only weigh myself once a week, so if you check more often it could indeed be a hassle. :)

Edit: A lot of gyms also have balance scales.
 
I use the same digital scale that I have used since the beginning; I always place it on the same spot on the bathroom floor and I weigh myself at least twice on it every morning, averaging the readings that I get. If it's inaccurate, at least it's consistently inaccurate.

Honestly, I don't care if it weighs over or under my doctor's scale. When I stack my free weights on my scale, it weighs them accurately, though I have to stack a LOT of weight on it before it will even give a reading. What matters to me is I've lost over 97 pounds on THAT scale...the number has gotten dramatically smaller over time. And so has my body.
 
Yes, I agree that consistency is the most important factor. Accuracy is second.
Losing 97 lbs is losing 97 lbs. It doesn't matter so much whether your weight is 'actually' X or X+5, does it? The important thing is the -97 lbs, which is equally awesome no matter how you weigh it.
 
Cord the Seeker said:
Yes, I agree that consistency is the most important factor. Accuracy is second.
Losing 97 lbs is losing 97 lbs. It doesn't matter so much whether your weight is 'actually' X or X+5, does it? The important thing is the -97 lbs, which is equally awesome no matter how you weigh it.
Click to expand...

Exactly; that's how I look at it! :iagree:
 
I was considering going out and buying a digital scale so thanks for this, you just saved my mechanical scale from the garbage!
 
I would say go with whichever one cost you more. Seriously...

My $10 needle scale worked horrid, saying that one minute I weighed x amount, and in only a few seconds I could hop on it and magically gain or lose 15lbs. I had to toss it, because I had no clue how much I really weighed.

My $15 electronic scale, though it seemed to work fine, actually was a bit off and ended up reading light by 1-4lbs, pending on its mood.

And my $30 electronic scale works fine for now; at least when it comes to measuring weight. It supposedly can also tell you your BF% and water %, but that aspect of it... it's accurate. I couldn't tell you how accurate it is, but it's hands-down better than my other two.
 
Two things . . .

1. I've found digital scales to be pretty accurate.

2. Remember your weight can fluxuate a few pounds due to water weight--don't get too concerned if you are a pound or two heavier or lighter one day. Think overall progress and don't get neurotic about what you see on the scale from day to day.
 
I say use the mechanical scale because it doesn't change every five minutes.
 
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