This matches my experience with the S2 almost exactly. I’m very fit, marathoner and triathlete, train continuously and work to keep my body fat % as low as possible. My BMI is 23.8 but I’m muscular with a small waist. Last year I bought an S2 and I was disappointed when it told me I had a body fat percentage of 29%. So eventually I paid for a body scan and the result was 17%, almost a factor of 2 different from the S2. I like the S2 but the body fat percentage feature is basically useless.
According to what I've been reading, you need to mess with the settings to adjust that. It's formulaic, so one formula won't fit everyone. I'll end up in the same category, since I have a lot of muscle mass. Once I lean down, I'm still going to be overweight but only to BMI under the normal parameters.
@@Real28 Yeah I finally figured that out, you can enter your know BFP in settings along with some other metrics, so I entered the value I got from the body scan. But now the S2 just parrots back the value I entered (my weight hasn’t changed) so I have no idea what it’s telling me so I just ignore it.
When you first get it, and you know you’re fat percentage, you have to plug it in to the “Body Composition Setting“ in the User Settings. Once you do that, you will get an accurate reading.
When you first get it, and you know your fat percentage, you have to plug it in to the “Body Composition Setting“ in the User Settings. Once you do that, you will get an accurate reading.
So your telling me I have to give it the answer to the measurement and then it will get it correct? What happens if you don't know you body fat percentage?
My biggest reason why not recommending something like that is not everyone can get their real body fat percentage to add in and the majority of people buying scales like these are trusting they work as is
i think there is a error of concept. You can't expect accuracy from these scales. Even the inBody system have a lot of error. In your inBody scale you have 4 point of contact (hands and feets) it give you more accuracy, but if you want a real meassurement you need a antropometric meassurement. Also, you can't compare the results between the scales. But you can check the progress with the same scale. I mean, if you lower the percentage thats mean you have lower body fat.
Hey Agustin, Yes and no. The thing is a ton of these smart scales promote an accurate body fat percentage. If it was just a scale for weight I wouldn't care as much, but body fat percentage is a better assessment of your progress than just weight(Not saying that is the only assessment). I also cannot assume that it is going to accurately track my body fat percentage just out of faith. You can gain weight and lose body fat percentage and if these scales are going to show such an inaccurate measurement of my body fat percentage I assume it is using my BMI to calculate my body fat. If that is the case then there is no reason to even have body fat on the scale let alone market the product to have an accurate measurement. Secondly, yes I know the inBody isn't THE most accurate way to test body fat, but it is the best way to do it out of any way the is accessible. So as long as the company markets an accurate body fat percentage(most people are looking for that) than I am going to continue to not recommend any of them.
@@FitnessWithFrost it would be great if you can make a long term comparison. To know if in the inaccuracies of measurement the error is constant. So you can use it as an indicator. Anyway, great review. I make that comment because most of people think that can trust the measurements by impedance (all the scales use the current), but you only can use it as an indicator if you replicate the conditions of the measurements
I'm glad you enjoyed the review. I agree a long term comparison would be best, but I would also have to continually fluctuate my weight for every review. I am keeping the scales so maybe one day I can do a long term for all 5 I've tested so far. The funny thing is that my Galaxy Watch 4 has been more accurate than any of these I've used this far
The main reason for that measurement is that this kind of scales measure only the fat through the legs. The electrodes send a current through the legs and waist and your upper body is not being measured. I assume, that the expensive scale has some „joysticks“, or something similar to measure the upper body part. So, actually the 27% are accurate for your legs and belly
You have to do dexa or MRI to check your real body fat %. You just tried 2 different EMI body scales which is not accurate. Both of them are not accurate
I really appreciate your honesty with these reviews. I've seen you do reviews on many scales, so would you have any recommendations for relatively inexpensive scales? I'm not looking for anything perfectly accurate, because I'm not at a fitness level where that matters too much. I'm just looking for something to help measure progress, and preferably connect to my phone.
Because you forgot to set the activity class parameter from the app ... If you are active set that to 10 and run the test again. ... A honest review should be an informed one as well ....
To be honest a scale should not have to have an activity parameter in the first place. That means the sensors are not accurate and they are relying on the input of the user to change that. Where my biggest issue with that is what is a 3 activity level? What is a 7? Is it either 1 or 10? When do you start changing your own. If you have a true measurement you shouldn't need that
@@FitnessWithFrost Garmin explains that. 10 would mean daily training with more then 2 hours per day. And the basic formula changes only for Level 8+ which is 7-11 hours of Training per week. I guess few people will ne in that category..
@@FitnessWithFrost It's a scale you stand on, without giving it information to base it's calculations on of course it won't be accurate. Being upset that you have to help a scale with information is really silly... This is my first video I've watched of yours and your attitude on this whole "it should just know I shouldn't have to tell it anything" is ridiculous. Not really inspiring me to watch any of your other content.
I'm curious what you mean by this. Have you done many body fat measurements before? I'm sorry that I can't recommend something that is not doing what it promises. If it was just a scale that would be fine. But this says it does accurate body fat percentage and that's just not the case
@@FitnessWithFrost it's more accurate if you give it the information it asks for. Your whining that you have to give it one piece of information? So ridiculous. Surprised you didn't complain you had to enter your height and age as well.
I have this scale, and it is absolutely inaccurate on the BMI if you are an athlete, which is odd because we are supposed to be Garmin's customer base. My true BMI is 13.5%. The Garmin S2 had me at 25%. That's crazy.
There is a solution for the body fat problem. Just manually put it in the first time you use it. You need a one-time third party measurement for that. But after that it's accurate.
There are a couple of issues with that. First what if you can't get an accurate measurement. Secondly and more importantly is the reason I don't trust these measurements. I give these a bad rap because they seem to take into account BMI way to much when calculating body fat. Why is that harmful? I have trainee many clients over the years and many of them gained weight their first 1 or 2 months. So in the eyes of a calculation that takes BMI then the BMI would go up and so would the body fat even though they lost body fat and gained muscle. I'm not saying this is all use cases, but the last thing I would want to see if someone starting their fitness journey and think they are moving backwards.
@@FitnessWithFrost I totally agree with your criticism on the scale. The scale is just not up to par with other GARMIN products. Another problem is that the Garmin ecosystem is also not supporting more accurate third party scales.
Funny enough the most accurate one I've tested isn't even a scale it's the Galaxy watch 4. But to be honest each one of these scales I've tested I really can't recommend any of them. Some are a little bit more accurate, but not enough to the point where I could recommend it
These comments are hysterical. No you cannot guess your BMI or body fat percentage and then say your scale is wrong. Also, I am very surprised no one has mentioned that these scales are using electronic signals to calculate the results. Your level of hydration will majorly affect the results. The more water you have in you changes the electric currents which create the results.
I've got a 25 year old Tanita Body Fat Scales and that has metal foot plates for you to stand on and I'm guessing that's the difference here with this Garmin, it doesn't have anything like that for you to put your feet onto for it to measure (I guess) resistance? I've just ordered one of these, and whilst I'm glad it comes with feet for placing it on carpet, if it doesn't measure your body fat and only calculates it, then it'll be going back for sure.
Update ***** - I cancelled the order, I'll get another Tanita theirs are twice the price but they'll have much more accurate sensors - this is the one I'm looking at TANITA BC-545N :)
@@FitnessWithFrost - They definitely look more equipped for accurately measuring your fat, they have 6 sensors on the feet and there is a handle for you to hold with both hands (like a ski handle) with another 2 sensors - so the measurement is going all the way through your body via 8 sensors. You asked for suggestions! You should do a review !
The two point measuring is just not accurate, so you will not proper reading from the any of these kind of scales (as you said). But how will it change over time? Will track the change on par with the more expansive multi point readers?
My assumption, yes I can't really test this, is no. Reason being I try and look at someone who is new to fitness and is getting started. These are the people who could get discouraged the most. I see so many people gain weight in the first mouth of their journey and you know if you gain weight your BMI increases. I don't trust this scale to not also move up on body fat percentage as well
You're not critical enough. I have the S1 but I'm 99% sure it does not actually measure anything except weight. The all other numbers seem to be directly derived mathematically from the weight. This means it's a scam basically. I need someone to take it apart to actually check if any garmin scales even contain the circuitry to do what it claims to.
I mean the accuracy of the weight is passable, but when you're going for a smart scale with all the features then it's not up for it. You can find many scales out there for much cheaper if you're just looking for weight
This isn’t the point in these machines. You can spend £1000’s and still get similar results. The point is the different in readings over time. Example: You weigh in week 1 and it says you are 90kg and 20% BF. You weigh in week 4 and you are 85kg and 17% BF. You might not be 20% in week 1 and 17% in week 4. The point is you’ve lost 3% BF in 4 weeks. I’ve used machines on people for literally thousands of pounds and it’s the same thing. Only definitive way is someone very experienced using BF calipers
Have you tried the Huawei Smart Scale 3 Pro? It gives you a lot of data, but of course I can't judge how accurate it is. Outside that...maybe the Withings Scales are worth a try?
@@FitnessWithFrost That is not unexpected. So...the Huawei is your last chance...😉 I have it and it has additional sensors (a little sensor bar pullout thingy) that allows it to measure more accurately...at least in theory
From the reviews of yours I have seen all the smart body scales are rubbish at body fat. Is there much value in them then, I would have thought this is the most important metric? Have you come across an accurate reasonably priced scale?
Sadly nothing I have found yet at a reasonable price. The best one I have used so far is actually the Galaxy Watch 5. It has been more accurate than any scale I have tested thus far
@@FitnessWithFrost Thanks for the update. I went with a Garmin fitness tracker watch which was pretty expensive but it does not have that sort of function but don't want two watches. Will see if you find any more reliable scales later or get a cheaper pair! Not sure if any value in an inaccurate measurement over no measurement.
Yeah an inaccurate measurement is definitely not something I can endorse. I am going to be trying some new ones later in this month, but it this point I'm not very hopeful
I think you may be over estimating your fitness level. Not to be rude but you don’t look very muscular. I would guess 26% to probably be pretty accurate
It might have, but if I have to change a setting to give it more information the sensors aren't up to par. Activity is also will vary from person to person. Then someone would have to figure when they have to change that setting when they increase their activity. If you need to use settings to give it more information in my opinion it's not worth even buying it
@@FitnessWithFrost so you’re telling me you can put in your name and height in but you’re too lazy to give it one more piece of information? This is all on the connect app. If other people are using it they would have their own settings and app. Still, I doubt floor scales will ever be spot on with body fat percentage. If you’re that worried about it, go and get a dexa scan.
If a scale is going to promote an accurate body fat percentage I'm going to hold it to that. If it was just a scale that just did your weight then I would say it does great. But to recommend it to someone to accurately track their change in body fat is just irresponsible
@@FitnessWithFrost Thank you. I’m athletic build, 5’11”, 180lbs, 10% BF (measured on a InBody machine) and I was hoping this would accurately measure my BF so that I can keep up with it and muscle gain. Thank you for saving me time and money.
You didn't calibrate the scales. There's a specific calibration for those carrying muscle that provides a 'set Body Composition' option where you can manually enter your BF% and Skeletal Muscle Mass. You can also set 'activity level' to 10 which will help indicate low body fat to the scales.
My push back is when does someone who just started their fitness journey start to change the activity level? I already put mine to level 10. You didn't need to give a measurement tool multiple inputs to give a measurement. This can possibly work for someone who has been working out for long periods, but at that point why not get a better and more accurate reading than a scale that isn't that accurate
My scale reads a BMI of 18.7 and body fat index of 30%. I am a marathon runner and doubt this number is accurate and wondering how the scale is coming up with this number?
same here. from what i see the scale pretty much matches simple bodyfat estimation from bmi. what i really hate about this is that it tells fit people that they are obese which is simply dangerous. i guess its simply impossible to measure body fat just through your feet. i still like it due to the good integration with garmins eco system. And now i can at least calibrate it with a real measurement.
It doesn't seem to be random, but it takes your BMI into calculating your body fat and that is just wrong. If you have higher muscle volume your BMI will be higher and if you use that to calculate your body fat then you are going to be off
Having used a Huawei smart scale every day for two years, I can confirm that its body fat measurement is not accurate BUT this is because these types of scales actually measure electrical resistance which is hugely influenced by hydration. What's fascinating is that, as someone who carb cycles throughout a weekly training program, after I eat carbs my measured hydration increases as water is pulled in with muscle stored glycogen. Although the actual fat percentage is not accurate, its relative measurement does reflect changes, particularly if I have low or high stress weeks. For reference, I measure on the Huawei scales and then manually input into Garmin Connect app.
I wish I'd seen this before buying these scales. I'm a runner. My body fat % as measured by a dexa is 13%. These scales measure it at 26.3%. Ridiculously inaccurate.
@@FitnessWithFrost I had such hopes for the S2. The additional problem is that, because it synchs with Connect, this inaccurate measurement distorts other data. For instance, it totally distorts age related fitness levels.
So basically it's just cheating and making small changes to BMI. I can calculate bmi on my own and know it's wrong. The point of these scales should be to not use BMI at all.
Im so glad i found your channel - I was really thinking about buying this Garmin Scale. Well, not anymore! I already have a Tanita bc-601 scale and the Huawei AH100 smart scale and they are actually pretty close to my Inbody readings at the gym. (+/- 1-2%) Maybe you should give them a try?
I don't know about the scale but the watch is pretty accurate besides the OX sensor which seems to be an issue on all these watches as the wrist is not the best place to measure Oxygenation. Why I know this with relative (and anecdotal) certainty is because I have a pacemaker and my heart rhythm is fully paced so I know the ranges. Also confirmed many times with hospital equipment. The heart rate sensor is on point within 3% up or down and has shy of a two second lag. The breathing calculated is within the same range. Step counter when actually walking or running is within 5% up or down (measurements compared to a threadmill with accurate step counter. Of course this is anecdotal and based on my watch) When doing other activities it might count some steps you did or didn't make and the stair counter is way too strict as it misses at least 30% of the flights of stairs I climb or decent. All in all, in combination with the app, it gives a fair assessment of those parameters IMO and can help you achieve goals. The Garmin watch I own is the vivoactive 4. Was hoping to add the scale but this interview colours me unimpressed at the moment.
Glad to hear you are enjoying their watch and how accurate it is. I haven't gotten my hands on one myself. As far as a scale goes it works well. But as far as calculating body fat it just isn't that good at all. I'm still looking for one that I can recommend
@@den15423 I did get a DEXA scan but not quite sure what to make of it... The fatt % was waaay higher than any of my other measurement from the gym equipment or body analyser scales - Even the ones at the dietician office.
I can understand that, but also know that 19% also isn't 6 pack ab territory. Need to get to closer to 10% for that. I have dinner the measurements but much more accurate machines and I am around the 17 to 19%
DON't buy this the Garmin weight scale it SUCKS. Weight measurements are INACCURATE. Two measurements after each other give differences of over 1 kg. So a totally useless piece of equipment. More users have this problem.
Yes and no. In 30% of cases, the scale shows a weight of 1.8 kg more than it actually is. But this is solved by simply turning it off and on again. I think this is unacceptable for a scale at this price. But compared to my previous scales from xiaomi, they never showed the correct weight at all and restarting did not help. Therefore, the scales from Garmin are much more accurate in this respect.
@@k.safonov yeah I got the scale and it's pure trash. Worse than my old 40€ scale, the only thing it does better is save the weight in Garmin Connect (when sync works).
Totally agree with this assessment. Garmin calibrates their scales differently to capture the normies better. But as a heavily muscled (130% of normal) 6-ft tall woman with an InBody reading of 21-23%, Garmin assuming I am almost 30% with only NINE pounds of skeleton is just ridiculous. I'm not super happy with his purchase, and the only reason I opted for this scale was because I have a Garmin watch (whose digital display has completely crapped out). I WANT to like this company, but honestly my experience with it has been a series of disappointments.
@@FitnessWithFrost Yea Id love to know because I have an Instinct that has been going strong and a buddy who had an Instinct and upgraded to the Instinct 2 - not a single issue with any of them. Yes those are the simple ones but it does everything you need it to minus being a true smart watch.
I currently have the Good Vibes from Teflon and it is ridiculously inaccurate. My body fat percentage decreased 5 percentage points in 2 days, I think even if I had starved in the period it wouldn't be realistic. I had high hopes for the Garmin one, but now that I see your review, will be skipping on this one too.
