My old bathroom scale broke the other day and I was faced with the challenging task of having to buy a new one. I thought the process would be easy at first until I actually got online. After years of using an old analog dial scale, I hadn’t really realized how the options for measuring your weight had exploded recently. I had a look through some of the different types available and wanted to share my thoughts on the process with you in hopes that it might help you get a scale that fits your needs.

Why You Should Have A Scale

I’ve talked to people of different persuasions about whether you should even have a scale in your home. Some think having a home scale can make you neurotic about checking your weight. This party advocates using a scale at the gym or other facility so that you can still keep periodic tabs on your weight without falling into the trap of checking too often. On the other hand, having a scale in your home makes checking your weight convenient so that you’ll actually do it. These advocates say that if the bathroom is too much of a constant reminder, put the scale away somewhere you don’t see it until you need it. Having it handy empowers you to collect data on your progress as you move towards your weight loss goals and to take charge of knowing where you stand when it comes to your weight.

Analog Versus Digital Scales

The first split you’ll see when buying is whether or not to go digital. The cheapest scales are generally those without electronics, but you can find some inexpensive digital options as well. The analog scales work by using a spring. When you stand on the scale, you compress a big spring inside the scale. How much that spring moves pushes a pointer that determines the readout. The benefit of these scales is that they generally last forever and do one thing well. The problem with these scales is that they can be inaccurate and may have to be recalibrated periodically. They can also be tough to read and the angle you look from may change your reading. That means you may not notice a half-pound of weight loss as easily as you would on a digital scale. Digital scales give you a quick and accurate readout, but generally don’t last as long as its old-fashioned counterparts.