Ah, the humble bathroom scale. That occasional moment of truth (or confrontation) as you tentatively step on, hoping for some sign of progress; perhaps a smidge of muscle gained or a whisper of fat lost. But that lone number rarely tells the full story, especially when you’re taking a more holistic approach to your health.
We all know weight alone can be misleading when you’re gaining muscle and losing fat. You simply can’t measure true progress from one stark figure on a decades-old bathroom scale. But a new-gen scale might be here to help you dive deeper. And one editor has put it to the test in order to help you decide if it’s worth upgrading.
READ MORE: Can You Gain Weight In One Day? 11 Reasons Why The Scale Says You Gained Weight Overnight
We Tested The Garmin Index Scale S2
The Garmin Index Scale S2 is a far cry from those old-school devices that offer nothing beyond your mass in kilos. For the past few months, as I’ve navigated the post-baby recovery period and focused on making healthier choices, this gadget has become surprisingly indispensable. When I first got it, I’ll admit I was hesitant. I was still healing, giving myself grace: to rest, to walk instead of run, to eat what I needed without obsessing over every macro. The idea of stepping on a high-tech scale felt… intense.
However, I didn’t feel pressure to focus on the number. What’s brilliant is that this scale gives you so much more, and it quickly shifted how I track progress. The extra features became my preferred metrics, and I’d recommend them to anyone on a similar journey.
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What The Garmin Index S2 Tracks (That Your Old Scale Doesn’t)
Body Fat Percentage
Not all fat is bad. Your body needs some to function properly. The scale shows how much is essential fat versus stored fat – incredibly helpful if you’re strength training or working on body recomposition.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
It calculates this automatically to give you a general sense of whether you’re in a healthy range for your height, without you having to do any number crunching.
Hydration Monitoring
This was hands-down my favourite feature. I’ll admit it, I don’t always drink enough water (busy woman problems!), but this metric gave me a helpful nudge. The scale shows your body water percentage – that’s the percentage of your total body mass made up of fluid. While it doesn’t measure exactly how much you’re drinking, it offers a useful snapshot of your hydration status. And trust me, spotting a dip in those numbers is a great reminder to grab that water bottle.
Skeletal Muscle & Bone Mass
Ever wonder how much of your weight is actual muscle or bone? This scale breaks it down for you and shows your muscle-building progress over time.
Garmin Connect Sync
You can sync the scale with your Garmin Connect app, which means all your data – from hydration to body fat to muscle mass – is stored in one place. It’s especially handy if you’re already using other Garmin devices, as it integrates seamlessly with your existing goals and metrics.
READ MORE: 10 Reasons Why You’re Lifting Weights But Not Losing Weight, According To Experts
Multiple Profiles
Yes indeed! This scale can track multiple people’s progress (up to 16 different ones, to be precise), so whether it’s your partner, housemate or the whole family, everyone can have their own profile. It’s super easy to switch between them and sync the data.
Daily Weigh-Ins
Curious how your body fluctuates during the day? You can weigh yourself more than once, though a word of advice: don’t overanalyse every reading. It’s best for spotting trends. For weight loss, I’d recommend weekly weigh-ins at the same time of day for a more consistent snapshot.
Shop The Devices
Overall Feedback
What I really appreciated was being able to see more than just a number on a scale, which allowed a greater understanding of what’s going on beneath the surface. So, if you’re a data nerd who loves graphs and trend tracking, or someone like me who simply wants to feel more in tune with their body, the Garmin Index S2 offers something for both ends of the spectrum.
