6 Awesome Features of Advanced Bathroom Scales

By Linsey Knerl (from Wise Bread) on January 5, 2011

A new year often means lofty goals of weight loss and a trimmer midsection. Sure, you could step up and weigh yourself on a traditional scale, but that's so 2010. Get into the groove with a healthier you, inspired by the new features of today's high-tech scales!

Scales 1 wifi capability.jpg 1. Wi-Fi Capability
Your TV can do it. Why not your scale? With the introduction of the Withings scale that can send your body's most sensitive info via wireless transmission, anything is possible in your quest to quit being heavy. Just hook it up to your home or office network, and your vital stats can be automatically uploaded to your own cloud-based health account (Google Health, for instance) and can also be shared with your doctor or nurse. Those with a smartphone can also enjoy having their measurements sent to an Android or iPhone for easy access on the go! Other scales are entering the market with similar features; the display-less Tanita BC-100, for example, will wirelessly send private weight info to the computer monitor of your choice, making the entire weigh-in process a discreet one.

Scales 2 user recognition.jpg 2. User Recognition
There is probably a big difference between the BMI of you and your spouse, but even if the amount is slight, it's possible for your scale to tell you apart! The Withings scale mentioned above is a pro at this feature, giving up to 8 users their own profile for no additional cost. Just step on the scale, and within seconds, the scale will recognize and weigh the correct user - no additional prompting necessary! While this is a feature unique to the Withings model, many scales will store info for multiple users, and others can weigh and record measurements based on body type (weighing a child differently from an adult or an athlete, for example).

Scales 3 software.jpg 3. Software
In addition to user readouts that can be displayed on computer and phone screens, many scales come bundled with weight management and healthy eating software. While these can inflate the total cost of the scale unnecessarily, they can be a useful tool to getting a better overall picture of your health and staying in shape for a lifetime. (Many scales that don't have the aforementioned Wi-Fi capabilities may offer a card slot for transferring user weight data to a PC or Mac to be used with the bundled programs.)

Scales 4 solar power.jpg 4. Solar Power
Scale batteries aren't usually a major drain on resources or finances, but it can be a pain to encounter a dead scale battery when you need it most. The introduction of small solar panels to household scales has made it possible to never have to skip a weigh-in due to lack of power. Light from a nearby window or constant indoor lighting can power these scales for years of use. The Tanita HS-302 is a sleek model with a modest solar panel, and this Taylor solar scale is made from recycled materials and has a 5-year warranty.

Scales 5 calories calculation.jpg 5. Calorie Calculation
Once you reach your goal weight, it may seem difficult to maintain. Thanks to the abilities of scales like the Taylor CalMax, you can instantly see how many daily calories it will take to maintain your current weight. With smart choices and an awareness of your intake, this scale can keep you in shape and at goal!

Scales 6 audible read outs.jpg 6. Audible Readouts
Talking scales aren't new, but there are new ways to say what may be painful to hear. Many scales offer both male and female voices, and most also give readouts in English, Spanish, and French. For those who aren't as concerned with hearing their weight, but find puns and insults to be a necessary component of their scale, the My Weigh FunWeigh scale is a tacky, but interesting option.

Scales 7 everything else.jpg Everything Else
If finding your true body weight, BMI, or water weight isn't your thing, you may enjoy the Bittersweet and Ignorance is Bliss scales from Uncommon Goods or the Jim Ruck designed scale made from actual pins (yikes!) Design geeks can steal a moment of Zen while stepping on the scale in this roundup of Apartment Therapy's best minimalist scales from 2008 -- many are still available for sale. (Novelty scales abound, but their accuracy may be questionable.)

Note: Some scales may not be safe for all users. Scales that measure body fat send small electrical impulses through the body. Those who are pregnant or have pacemakers will want to check with their doctor before using the scale to ensure that it is safe.

All in all, if it's accurate and offers you a sense that you're fighting the good fight, it's probably an OK scale to invest in.

What do you look for in a scale? What high-tech capabilities would you like tomorrow's scale to feature?

[Top image credit: iStockphoto]