Bathroom scales are mechanical devices that sit flat against the floor and are used to measure body weight.
Today’s best bathroom scales are also capable of measuring metrics such as BMI and bone density.
Our product experts compiled the following list of the 9 biggest benefits of owning a bathroom scale.
9 Benefits Of Bathroom Scales
If you are undecided about whether to buy a bathroom scale read our experts’ list of the many benefits these scales provide.
1: Bathroom scales are a convenient way to track your weight.
Whether you are trying to lose weight or simply like to keep tabs on your overall health having a bathroom scale can provide valuable information. These days this type of scale is typically far more accurate than its predecessors of just 20 or 30 years ago. So, not only are they convenient, they’re reliable too. Just keep in mind that there are a lot of factors that can influence body weight (1). And that is true whether you are weighing yourself at home or the doctor is weighing you.
2: Bathroom scales let you keep your business, your business.
Having a scale in the bathroom means you can track your weight and anything else you need to track without anyone looking over your shoulder. Weight is, after all, one of the most sensitive issues affecting people (2). Most have no interest in sharing their weight with the world. Unless of course their weight loss efforts are bearing fruit. The bathroom scale enables you to keep tabs on your weight and to keep that information to yourself.
3: Bathroom scales can provide weight loss motivation.
That motivation might be positive or it might be negative. Negative you say? Sure. Just as negative motivation can be effectively leveraged in the workplace (3) it can also be effectively leveraged to drive weight loss efforts. If a person weighs more every time they stand on the scale it can motivate them to do something about it. Of course, if they are already on a diet and see their weight loss efforts are being successful, that can provide positive motivation to continue.
4: Bathroom scales can measure more than just weight these days.
They can also measure a slew of related metrics including body fat content, muscle mass, Body Mass Index (BMI), bone mass, water retention and much more. Some will even provide you with a local weather forecast and/or the temperature in your bathroom. Of course the ultimate value of all this information is a matter of some considerable debate. Since simply eating a balanced diet and exercising will likely provide the average person the health benefits they’re after, regardless of sex or age (4).
5: Bathroom scales today are extremely stylish.
That certainly wasn’t always the case. It wasn’t that long ago when the basic bathroom scale was a noisy tin can that banged and clanged when you pull it out from under the bathroom sink. It was available in dirty white or dirt-attracting white and never really fit in with any decor. Today’s bathroom scales (even the analog ones) are marvels of leading edge design. Some of the more advanced digital scales are almost worth having in the bathroom just for how cool they look. Even if you never use them.
6: Bathroom scales can give you a better idea of your overall health.
This is particularly true when it comes to smart scales, as they often provide a wealth of information. And while some of it may be of questionable value knowing your BMI (5), for instance, can actually provide a useful window into your overall health. This in turn can help you make better dietary and other lifestyle choices.
7: Bathroom scales can help you track your kids’ overall health.
This is vitally important because childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the developed world (6). There are a lot of reasons for this. The high carb western diet certainly plays a big part. But another contributing factor is all the time kids spend these days playing video games or staring into their smartphone screen instead of playing in the yard or the park. A bathroom scale can help you track important health metrics in your children so that you can take appropriate measures to stave off long-term health problems.
8: Bathroom scales last a long time with virtually no maintenance.
The hidden cost of a home or a car is maintenance. The same can be said for garage doors, pets, lawns and scores of other things. One thing that does not require much, if any, maintenance is your bathroom scale. Aside from having to take a few seconds to adjust the calibration now and then the scale should provide many years of faithful service without ever needing a maintenance check.
9: Bathroom scales are a constant reminder to take care of yourself.
Even if you don’t get on it very often just seeing the bathroom scale sitting there next to the vanity can provide motivation. And this can be just as useful as actually seeing the numbers displayed on the scale. In a very real sense, having the scale sitting there quietly is like subliminal advertising (7) urging us to take action.
Conclusion
Bathroom scales provide a simple way for people to monitor their weight in a discreet manner. They can provide weight loss motivation, measure other metrics such as Body Mass Index (BMI) and are very durable. As a bit of frosting on the cake they’re also extremely stylish.