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| Collage of promo pictures and photos of my #surpahs scale. Note top right: It is just the scale, I photographed with other tools that I find useful including a tape measure and calipers. You don’t need either of those to use the scale. |
In the journey to fitness and health, there is much more to the picture than body weight. The scale can be a friend or a foe depending how you interpret the information and how you let it effect you. Surpahs knows there is more to fitness and body composition than just weight.
I received a complimentary Surpahs Dual-S Digital Body Fat Scale to review. I have used it for several weeks before writing this review. I have also used a similar product for years so I have had time to learn the pros and cons of this type of device and that experience is reflected in my review.
Weight alone, doesn’t tell the whole story. You really need more if you want to accurately track your progress towards your weight loss, weight gain, health or fitness goals. The challenge is finding a relatively accurate way to track progress that is affordable and easy to use. I think the Surpahs Dual-S Digital Body Fat Scale serves that function well is the user is aware of how it works…
The Surpahs Dual-S Digital Body Fat Scale measures or estimates weight, body fat percent, muscle mass, water mass, bone mass and it guesstimates calories burned in a day. The Surpahs Scale uses Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) as a method of measuring body fat percent by sending a low-level, safe, electrical current through the body. Basically, Lean tissue, which is mostly water (around 70%), is conducts an electrical current. Fatty tissue, which is low in water, is not as good a conductor. The current passes easily through muscle tissue (which contains a large amount of fluid), but it travels slowly as it passes through fat tissue. The resistance encountered as the current hits the fat tissue is called bioelectrical impedance (BIA).
My Background With Similar Products:
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| The Surpahs Dual-S Digital Body Fat Scale is a useful tool, especially when used in coordination with other tools such as a simple tape measure and calipers. I prefer it to calipers as it is easier to self administer. |
First a little about my background. This Surpahs scale is the second scale that estimates body fat percent through BIA that I have used. I think it is important to realize that all methods of measuring body fat are simply giving estimates and are prone to error. However, if you use the same scale or method consistently and correctly, you can monitor changes in your body composition.
My other scale is a better known brand that seems to estimate my body fat percent reasonably well. I say that because it estimated pretty close to the BodPod for me (an expensive laboratory test that is said to be very accurate). As near as I can tell, the Surpahs scale is just as accurate as it gives a similar estimate to my other scale. I mention this, because this review includes tips I learned along the way to make best use of a digital BIA Body Fat Scale.
About Surpahs Scale:
“With the latest 4 G-Sensors it provides high precision body weight measurement. It is enabled by the latest Bio Impedance Analysis (BIA) technology with 4-electrode measurement to estimate the percentage of body fat, body water, and muscle & bone mass. BIA is considered reasonably accurate for measuring groups, or for tracking body composition in an individual over a period of time, but is not considered sufficiently accurate for recording of single measurements of individuals. In recent years technological improvements have made BIA a more reliable and therefore more acceptable way of measuring body composition under most conditions, as the BIA is based on body water balance, your state of hydration can impact the level of accuracy. Overall the BIA provides an inexpensive, reliable way to estimate and track body fat level.” Description From Surpahs
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| Promotional Picture from Surpahs highlights the six key measures taken by Surpahs Dual-S Digital Body Fat Scale |
Surpah’s Scale Measures or Estimates:
- Body weight
- Body fat percent
- Water weight
- Muscle mass
- Bone Mass
- Estimates calories burned in a day – I am curious what this is based on as I find it too generous (see my comments in my evaluation)
Note, my Surpahs Dual-S Digital Body Fat Scale does not give a BMI (Body Mass Index) measurement. I thought I would mention that because many reviews state that it does. I am not sure whether a previous model reported BMI. However, since BMI is really just plugging your height and weight into a formula, you do not need a scale to make this calculation. While BMI has uses, I think it is a flawed measure as all it factors is height and weight. So I do not object to the exclusion of BMI.
Specifications Surpahs Dual-S Body Fat Scale:
- Size: 11 x 9.6 x 0.9″ / 280x245x23mm
- Weight Capacity: 150 kg / 330 lb
- Weight Unit: kg /lb
- Weight Graduation: 0.1 kg / 0.2 lb
- Body Fat Graduation: 0.1%
- Battery: 4xAAA (included)
- 4 Users profile memory
- Sense-ON, Auto-OFF
- Low battery indication
- Over load indication
My Tips for Using a BIA Body Fat Scales Like Surpahs Dual-S Digital Body Fat Scale:
As we know, weight fluctuates day to day and moment to moment. Body fat estimates using BIA can fluctuate as well. For that matter your actual body fat percent can vary without a change in actual body fat. That is because it is the ratio of body fat vs. everything else that is in or on your body. The main source of this variation is fluctuations in fluid retention and release. When you retain more fluids, your weight will fluctuate up and your body fat down. When you are more dehydrated, your weight will be down but your total estimated body far percent would be lower. To some extent this can be true as fluid weight is lean mass (meaning not body fat).
Since the BIA analysis is very affected by fluid levels, having a consistent basis for comparison relies on using the scale under consistent circumstances. At least for tracking trends. I tend to take my measurement in the morning, after using the bathroom and before showering. This does result in a higher body fat estimate because my hydration levels are at their lowest. Some people prefer to have a glass of water first. Whenever and however you choose to weigh and measure–be consistent.
More Quick Tips When Using a BIA Scale:
- Have clean, bare, slightly damp feet for best contact (no socks and dry, hard skin can sometimes hinder the reading)
- Be as consistent as possible about when you weigh
- Remember your weight is a composite number, and your body fat, bone density, etc are estimates and may fluctuate based on hydration levels.
- Some people use a scale to monitor their hydration after a vigorous workout. Simply weight oneself before the workout then after. Usually, the goal is to plan to replace that fluid over the next few hours. (Please don’t drink water at an unnatural rate as in rare cases it is dangerous to do so).
- Take measurements using a tape measure as a “BS” detector, if your measurements and body fat percent decrease together, then you know you are on the right track (if fat loss is your goal). I have experimented with different frequencies and find that I prefer to take measurements monthly (though some people may prefer bi-weekly).
- Consider plugging your weight, body fat percent and other stats into an app or program that does a running average. This will smooth out the daily fluctuations and help you see the real trend. One well known example is “the hackers diet” but there are many other apps that do similar.
- Don’t fixate on the weight or body fat estimate on any particular day, watch for trends over time and adjust your diet, hydration and exercise according to your results.
My Evaluation of Surpahs Dual-S Body Fat Scale
What I liked:
I find the weight and body fat percent seem pretty accurate compared to other methods I have tried.I am not sure how to judge the muscle mass, water weight and bone mass estimates though I find them interesting.
I also appreciate the compact footprint and attractive design. I feel the different measures are much more helpful than simply reporting weight.
It is reasonably priced, my other BIA scale was at least twice the price.
What I Feel Needs Improvement:
There is one “estimate” that I feel is highly inaccurate for me: The calorie burn estimate is much higher than other sources I have used including my Fitbit Activity Tracker. I know from experience that I would gain weight eating this estimated calorie burn unless I am extremely active every day. By extremely active, according to my Fitbit I burn nearly this amount on days when I achieve 25,000 steps and exercised for two hours (one in the morning one in the evening–yes I do this sometimes). This, by the way, is not a typical day for me! I did email Surpahs to enquire how they came up with this number and received no response. This isn’t a deal breaker as I would not have thought to use a scale to estimate calorie burn.
The Surpahs Dual-S Digital Body Fat Scale provides a lot of measures and estimates. These estimates are most useful if tracked over time. Other (more expensive) BIA scales offer options to make tracking trends a little easier including Bluetooth or WiFi synching. With the Surpah’s you would need to do your own record keeping. Again, that is not a dealbreaker for me. I just log the readings into a phone application. However, some users may prefer to spend a little more on a scale that syncs via Bluetooth or WiFi. This is a benefit if you would prefer to log your measures in a notebook, spreadsheet or your own app.
I mention that I like the compact, attractive appearance. I should mention that I wear size 6-7 shoes (European 37). People with larger feet might find it a little small (i.e. if your feet happen to be 11″ long that is exactly the space that is available). The maximum weight is 350 pounds according to the product specs, that isn’t a problem for me, but I mention it for those who might need a different scale.
My Overall Verdict:
I find the Surpahs Dual-S Digital Body Fat Scale a highly useful tool. I realize it has limitations (as do all BIA Bodyfat scales), but I can work with that.
Overall, it seems pretty accurate (within reason–other than the calorie burn), is attractively designed and reasonably priced. Many WiFi and Bluetooth BIA scales cost over $100, if you don’t mind doing your own record keeping this is a more budget friendly alternative.
Where to Purchase Surpahs Dual-S Body Fat Scale:
(Feeling Fit, Bit by Bit is an Amazon affiliate, if you click on the Amazon link and make any purchase you support this blog as I receive a modest commission).
The Surpahs Dual-S Digital Body Fat Scale is available on the Surpahs Website and on their Amazon product listing: Surpahs Dual-S Body Fat Scale
Also on Feeling Fit, Bit by Bit:
- A Detailed Review of the Fitbit One
- How to Measure and Calibrate Your Fitbit Stride Settings
- iMaze Fitness Dual Heart Rate Monitor Strap Review
- Using a Pocket Scale For Nutrition Portion Control Tutorial and Review
- Excerpt From Make Your Own Rules Diet by Tara Stiles
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Sam isn't really that "sly", but a college roommate thought so since she had Sly and The Family Stone on nearly constant rotation. When not editing Feeling Fit, Sam can be found pretending to be "sly" and "feeling fit"!
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