FitTrack Review

 FitTrack Review

FITTRACK SCALE REVIEW: THE BEST HOME SMART SCALE AVAILABLE?

Traditional scales can tell you about one facet of health, but wellness is measured in much more than just pounds. For a more complete picture, you might want to consider investing in a smart scale like the $89.95 FitTrack Dara, which tracks 17 metrics, including your basal metabolic rate (BMR), body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, body water percentage, bone mass, fat mass, metabolic age, muscle mass, muscle rate, protein mass, protein rate, subcutaneous fat, visceral fat, weight without fat, and, of course, your actual weight (up to 400 pounds). Its companion app helps you understand the metrics it tracks and keeps a record of them, so you can monitor your progress over time. But it's pretty pricey compared with the $20 Wyze Scale, which doesn't track quite as many metrics, but offers greater value.

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Design and Setup

The FitTrack Dara is a compact smart scale, measuring just 10.23 by 10.23 inches (HW). I wear size 9 women's shoes, and my feet just fit on it. If your feet are bigger than a size 9 women's or size 7 men's, your toes will probably be hanging off. Looks-wise, the FitTrack Dara features an attractive white-and-silver design reminiscent of the $79.99 Arboleaf Smart Fitness Scale, only smaller. Both have four metal electrodes on the top, and four anti-skid pads on the bottom for safety. 

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Image of the Arboleaf Smart Fitness Scale next to the FitTrack Dara

Left to right: Arboleaf Smart Fitness Scale, FitTrack Dara

Unlike some other smart scales that are rechargeable, like the QardioBase 2, the FitTrack Dara is powered by 4 AAA batteries, which aren't included in the box. Once you install the batteries, the scale will automatically turn on when at least 6.61 pounds or more is placed on it, then automatically turn off 10 seconds after it's used. Without pairing the scale to the FitTrack Pro app (available for Android and iOS), it will only show your body weight. Once connected to the app, you'll be able to see your body fat percentage and other metrics. 

The FitTrack Dara connects to your phone via Bluetooth, not Wi-Fi, so it will only send your measurements to the app if your phone is within the limited Bluetooth range. Smart scales that support Wi-Fi, such as the Arboleaf and QardioBase 2, can send your data to their companion app via either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so if one is down there's a backup. Wi-Fi also lets you connect to the scale and get your measurements from anywhere.

When creating an account, you enter a nickname, gender, birthday, height, target weight, and optionally upload a photo of yourself. You also have the option to enable Athlete Mode, which promises more accurate results for those who exercise vigorously three to five days a week or have a physically demanding profession.  The app then asks for permission to use Bluetooth. After I pressed OK, it automatically connected to the scale.

Using the FitTrack Dara

Before stepping on, be sure to place the scale on a firm, level surface, not a carpet. Tap the scale with your foot to activate it, and wait for it to display 0.0. Then open the FitTrack Dara app on your phone, step on the scale with bare feet, stand up tall, and make sure both of your feet are uniformly situated over the metal electrodes. In testing, I found that the scale only syncs your data if you have the app open when you step on it, unlike Wi-Fi scales, which can sync at any point.  When taking your measurements, the scale will first display your weight, then will show flashing zeros as it analyzes your body composition. When it displays your weight again, the analysis is complete, and you can see all your measurements in the FitTrack Pro app. In testing, the body composition analysis only took a couple of seconds. The scale can display your weight in pounds, kilograms, or stones; you can change the weight unit setting in the app's Me tab.  FitTrack recommends using the scale at the same time, under the same conditions each day. The company says to avoid using it during or immediately after strenuous activity, as doing so can affect the accuracy of your body composition measurements. You should also avoid using it after consuming alcohol, during or immediately after eating, or if you have a fever. The company says the scale may display an error message if your body fat percentage is less than 5 percent or more than 50 percent.  The scale isn't meant for children under the age of 18, but it features a unique Infant Mode that can be used to determine the weight of a baby. Just tap the three dots in the upper right corner of the app's Home tab, select Weigh Infant, step on the scale by yourself to measure your weight, then step on the scale with the baby in your arms, and the FitTrack Dara will measure your little one's weight. 

 

I’ve listed below all the body metrics the Fit Track smart scale tracks and records in the FitTrack smartphone app:

1. Weight – Accurate to +/- 300grams

2. BMI (body mass index)

3. BFP (body fat percentage)

4. Muscle rate (percentage)

5. Body water (percentage) – Maintain optimal levels of hydration every day

6. Bone mass – Discover your body’s foundational composition

7. BMR (basal metabolic rate)

8. Protein rate

9. Metabolic age

10. Visceral fat index

11. Subcutaneous fat

12. Standard weight – Ideal weight

13. Weight control – The difference between your actual and standard weight)

14. Fat mass – Get a clearer picture of your overall health Weight without fat

15. Muscle mass – Understand if you’re losing fat, gaining strength, or both Protein mass

The FitTrack scale app explains how each of these rates is calculated and where applicable tracks them against the preset low, standard and high levels for someone of your profile (taking into account factors such as your age, gender and height).

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How do you use the FitTrack scale with the app?

Once set up, have your phone with the FitTrack app open within Bluetooth range of the Fit Track scale (within a few feet is ideal). Then stand on the Fit Track scale to measure your weight and other metrics. The smart scale and app will automatically sync your body composition measurements within a few seconds – the app will tell you when it’s done and you can then step off the scale. The whole process only takes a few seconds to complete which is impressive.

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Price and availability

The FitTrack Dara Smart Body BMI Scale has had an average price of £75/$85 since it first went on sale. However, at the time of writing you can get it for around £49/$79. You can purchase it directly from FitTrack or Amazon in the UK, and FitTrack and Amazon in the US.

This is a competitive price, considering that other scales which offer similar measurements, such as the Withings Body Cardio, cost a lot more. The most similar rival would be the Eufy BodySense Smart Scale, which comes in slightly cheaper, but measures fewer metrics.

You can take a look at further options in our list of the best smart scales right now. We also have similar charts for fitness trackers and running headphones as well.

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