Tanita BC-545N Segmental Body Composition Monitor

Tanita BC-545N Segmental Body Composition Monitor

The Tanita BC-545N Segmental Body Composition Monitor was purchased to allow me to keep track of my weight over the coming months.  This would be the best way for me to accurately record any changes that occur from weight training.  It would also give me the opportunity to compare different training programs to see which programs gave the best results.  If I am going to spend the time and make the effort to do the training then weighing every day should be easy?

 

Choosing A Body Composition Monitor

There were a number of different types of body composition monitors available on line and at varying prices.  The reason why I chose this one was that Tanita monitors had good reviews on the internet.  This Tanita BC-545N model is also a segmental monitor that gives readings of different parts of your body.  It was also on offer at a local store so to buy and collect it was straight forward.

Weight Records TableI have never been the type to weigh myself as I have never really felt the need to.  The way I have always done this is by looking in the mirror and if I look good I feel good!  Times do change and now is the perfect time for me make use of one of these and find out a bit more about me.

I intend to use it as often as possible and if I can get into the habit of weighing myself every day that would be great.  There is a program sheet that comes with it which was easily photocopied and reduced onto a sheet of A4 paper.  With a bit of editing and lots of Tipp-Ex I fashioned an easily manageable Weight Records Table  the right is an example of the table which you could easily make yourself.

 

Tanita Body Composition Monitor Problems & Solutions

There were a few minor issues with the setting up of this Tanita monitor and using it for the first time.  The best way to resolve these problems is to read the instructions that are provided thoroughly.  If the problems still persist its worth reading them again as its easy to miss some thing so simple.  I have listed the main problems that were experienced below along with simple remedies:

  1. Wait for the beep after switching it on which shows the monitor is ready to use.  Following on from this, when you have stepped onto the Tanita monitor wait for it to beep again twice which means the test is complete.
  2. Weighing at different times of the day gave different reading of as much as 1kg (2.2lbs).  In the instructions Tanita recommend weighing at the same time of day, preferably before your evening meal.  They also suggest waiting about three hours after rising, eating, or exercising before taking measurements.  I found this impractical as my evening meal can be at any time and any where!  Further to this most people will be in work within a few hours of rising.  The best solution for this problem was to weigh first thing in the morning before any food or drink is consumed and after using the toilet.  Doing it this way was far more manageable and very quickly become habitual.
  3. Moving the scales from one surface to another presented different readings.  The difference in my weight in the lounge and the kitchen was 0.5kg (1.1lbs).  Leaving the monitor in the kitchen was the best solution but this was still inaccurate as I have parquet wood block flooring.  The unevenness of this block flooring was simply remedied with a 300mm square floor tile purchased from a local tile supplier.  When the Tanita monitor is moved for any reason it would some times rock slightly on the tile due to the flooring imperfections.  A towel or any other cloth under the tile will resolve this problem very well.  The monitor can then be moved around almost any where and give good results.
  4. Remove shoes, socks, stockings etc. to allow correct electrical impedance measurements.
  5. Your feet and hands should be clean and dry.
  6. A standing upright position should be adopted (not bent knees or sitting position) with arms fully extended slightly out in front of you.  Make sure your elbows are not in contact with your body.
  7. Standing on the Tanita monitor in the same position every time does make a difference.  Completely covering the sensor pads as best as you can and keeping the same footprint on the pads should be mimicked every time.  Be sure to correctly align your feet over both of the electrodes on the floor pad.  This should also be repeated for the hand grips as the whole point of these grips is to measure resistance.  If you hold the hand grips with a few fingers your resistance will obviously change giving different readings.  Make sure all of your fingers contact the electrodes.
  8. Be prepared to witness the readings increasing through the day if you choose to weigh your self a few times a day.  This change would be expected as you consume food and drink.  It does not suggest that there may be a problem with the scales or monitor that you are using.  You must also be aware that your weight will vary even more from day to day and week to week.  The biggest difference I have recorded so far from one week following on to another is 2kg (4.4lbs).
  9. Weighing yourself every day can be so inconsistent and possibly inaccurate.  It may not be due to the scales or monitor so what can you do about this?  Take a look at my Weight Records Table image as above and view the top right of the table.  You will see columns for a weekly average, weekly change plus another column for any change from concept on 4th January 2015.  The purpose of these columns is to work out an average over a period of time.  I believe this is the best way for us all to monitor our health over the long term.  It is a lot less stressful and definitely a more realistic approach to you achieving your goals.
  10. Remember that 1 liter of water is equal to 1kg in weight!!!  If you drink a liter of water after a hard work out in the gym you are likely to be heavier.  It may not be the monitor telling you lies…:-)

 

Conclusions On The Tanita BC-545N Monitor

I have been using the Tanita BC-545N for around a month now and find it easy to use.  After some minor adjustments as described above it is certainly accurate enough.  I have not recorded the segmental readings for arms or legs as I have no need for this although it may be useful for others.  Measurements have been taken almost every day and in time will be loaded onto the website for others to view and compare.

The Tanita readings that have been recorded over the last month have certainly been an education for me and I feel that this will be beneficial in the future.  With this monitor being easy to use and the readings so simple to record I will continue doing this for the foreseeable future.  If you are looking to monitor your training progress in any or all of the categories listed below a Body Composition Monitor is for you.

I would definitely recommend this Tanita product as a guide to achieving your goals if you are serious about monitoring your weight.

 

Want To Know More About Body Composition Monitors?

Click on the Wikipedia links below for further information:

 

Alternatively, you can click on the Tanita Website – Understanding Your Measurements for their own description of the above categories.