Tanita 2201 Super Ultimate Body Fat Monitor and Scale

Other products by Tanita

Product Features

• Operates on four AA batteries (included)
• Determines weight and estimates body fat with safe, low-level electrical pulse
• Works for both moderately active adults and extremely fit adults
• This model not for children 7 and younger
• Stores personal data for two users

Product Description

Amazon.com Review
This device might look like a scale, but it presents a broader snapshot of personal health by not only determining weight, but estimating body fat as well. It does this by sending a safe, imperceptible, low-level electrical pulse (50 kHz) through the body. (Healthcare professionals use similar electrical-pulse devices to estimate body fat by what is known as Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, or BIA.) The device operates on four AA batteries (included), and its digital screen displays body-fat readings in 1.0-percent increments and weight in either 0.2-pound or 0.1-kilogram increments, up to 300 pounds or 136 kilograms.

The scale stores data (gender and height) for two users. Toe-tap a button to call up your data, and then step on the device. Within seconds, it displays your weight, followed by an estimate of body-fat percentage. Both will repeat before the device turns off automatically. Durable and easy to maintain, the device measures 12 by 11-3/4 inches and carries a three-year guarantee against defects. --Fred Brack

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13.2 x 2.5 x 15.9 inches ; 6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 pounds
• ASIN: B000063XG6
• Item model number: 2201
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #69,775 in Health & Personal Care (See Bestsellers in Health & Personal Care)

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• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

190 of 193 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent product, January 6, 2003

By	Mark Action "boo-yah" (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

I bought this for my girlfriend (at HER request). So far, its been an excellent product. According to her, its completely accurate and consistent. Whenever I've been to her place and stepped on it, its been consistent with previous uses.

The weight reads in .2 lb increments (some other body fat monitors/scales that I looked at measure in .5 lb, so watch for that). The body fat measures in .5% increments which seems okay thus far. Also, the scale stores settings for two different people, which is definitely a plus, like another reviewer said.

I actually did some semi-extensive looking around/pricing for these combo scales. Basically, my girlfriend had already let me know that she wanted one and I kinda figured I'd forget about it and wait till the last minute when, one day, while clicking through my goldbox items, THERE IT WAS! When I saw it, I decided to do some checking up.
What I found is that there are feature rich models out there that cost [$]+.
Well, the greatest difference overall that I found is that the more expensive ones can do the following :

* memorize for like 4 to 10 different people
* measure in increments of .1 lbs and .1% body fat (these are way more expensive)
* i think some would talk to you (cant remember for sure but seems feasible right?)
* some were really high tech cool looking

None of these were good enough reasons for me to spend more than I did [$]

Then there were the Omron ones that you hold out in front of you. Those are great I'm sure. The Tanitas however, are scales as well. Obvious plus for the Tanita.

In long, I'm very impressed with the 2201, both with its consistency and ease of use And I am extremely pleased that I decided to make the purchase. Easy 5 stars.

114 of 118 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not for athletes, May 27, 2003

By	Ferenc Jacso (Centennial, CO United States) - See all my reviews

Even though it has been mentioned by other reviewers before I would like to emphasize two points.

First, it gives amazingly consistent readings for weight and body fat and seems to be quite accurate. My previous scale was much more inconsistent and inaccurate even though it was a brand name electronic scale.

Second, the instructions indicate this scale is not intended for the body fat measurement of athletes - those who work out an average 1 hour a day or more. I guess most people who keep track their body fat also do some kind of sports. And I also guess you need a more expensive Tanita with sports mode if you work out regularly and want to know your actual body fat percentage. Athletes have significantly different tissue composition (more muscle) to that of sedentary people and this is why researchers and companies use a different formula to calculate their body fat percentage.

65 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great gift - or treat yourself!, November 26, 2002

By	Debbie Lee Wesselmann (the Lehigh Valley, PA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The Tanita 2201 is not your average scale. With a few simple steps, you program data (age, height, gender) for up to two regular users. Then, stepping on the metal "footprints", you are measured for weight (to tenths of a pound or kilo, depending on the setting selected) and body fat percentage. The brief users manual accompanying the scale contains a simple chart to determine where your body fat percentage lies in relation to other people of your gender and age. Especially for people embarking on a diet, the Tanita offers encouragement for decreasing body fat percentage instead of only weight. Dieters who become frustrated when they've been "good" but haven't lost a pound can see in tenths of a pound that perhaps, yes, they HAVE lost weight.

I am most impressed with the consistency of the Tanita. The digital scale I had prior to this could vary as many as three pounds as I stepped off, then on again. The largest variation I've encountered from such quick re-measuring on the Tanita has been two-tenths (.2) of a pound.

The Tanita has a "guest" mode that can be set for a one-time or casual user. These figures are not stored in memory, but the feature allows for others to use the scale. Unfortunately, this particularly model does not have an easy "weight only" feature. You must always select your personal number (1 or 2), wait for your data to flash (age,height,gender), and then step onto the unit. While this only takes a few seconds, it can be annoying. The weight measurement is displayed almost immediately, while the body fat takes approximately five seconds longer. The time it takes to get these readings is minimal, but not nearly as quick as an ordinary scale.

The manual says that this unit is not intended for "athletic" people. I don't understand why this is, because they offer no explanation. I fall into their definition of an athlete, and yet I've had no trouble with it.

I love the Tanita. I recommend it highly for anyone who wants something more than the average scale. It makes a wonderful gift for either fitness buffs or the weight-conscious.