Bello 2 review: A comprehensive look at this innovative body fat monitor
Bello 2
Pros
- Accurate and safe measurements using NIR technology
- Compact, portable, & user-friendly design
- Personalized programs & resources for weight loss
- Comprehensive diet & exercise information in the app
- Compatible with Google Health, Apple Health, & FatSecret
Cons
- Requires a smartphone app to access readings and data
- Not as accurate as DEXA scans
- Pricey
In a world where health and fitness gadgets are constantly evolving, the Bello 2 has emerged as an innovative solution in the realm of body fat management and overall wellness. This small and portable device includes 9 Block Therapy, an in-app feature that analyses your health and body shape and generates a personalised programme and resources to help you lose weight.
At its core, the Bello 2 is intended to effectively monitor and manage your body fat composition, visceral fat levels, and Metabolic Health Index. Using its patented Near-Infrared Technology (NIR), the device distinguishes itself from Bio-Impedance Analysis (BIA) scanners by providing a non-invasive and safe method for obtaining accurate measurements of body components beneath the skin.
But, is Bello 2 truly the all-in-one solution it claims to be, or is it just another fad in the ever-expanding market of health-care devices? In this review, I will go over its features and functionalities in detail. By the end of this article, you should have a clearer understanding of whether Bello 2 is the right investment for your fat loss journey.
You can check out Bello 2 on Amazon or the company’s website. The device typically retails for $250.
| Design, hardware How it works How to use Customised health & wellness guidance Diet & exercise information The bottom line |
Bello 2 review: Design, hardware
Olive Healthcare has evolved its successful Bello 1 into the Bello 2, a sleek and user-friendly health management tool that provides you with vital information about your body. The device is manufactured in Korea. It incorporates near-infrared technology, patents, and intellectual property rights from various countries, including the EU, the US, and South Korea.
Bello 2 is constructed of a durable plastic material, resulting in a lightweight design. It is compact and portable, measuring 3.4″ x 1.8″ x 3.6″ and weighing only 3.5 oz, allowing users to easily take it wherever they go. It will definitely not take up much space in your bag or rucksack.
The device feels sturdy and well-made. It comes in a classic white colour, which adds a touch of sophistication to its modern design.
A single button at the top is used to turn on the unit and begin scanning. An LED light on the front of the body provides visual feedback on scanning/charging/power. However, because there is no screen, you must use the accompanying smartphone app to access readings and dig into the data.
Under the hood
Bello 2 is intended to be both safe and effective. It is FCC approved and works by measuring tissue absorption and scattering during photon migrations with an 8-wavelength NIR LED light source.
In terms of battery life, the device is powered by a 600 mAH rechargeable lithium battery. This allows for a 15-hour battery life, and a full recharge takes only 2 hours. One feature that I like is that charging can be done with a USB-C cable, whether it’s the one that came with the device or any other USB-C cable you might have lying around.
Bello 2 review: Technical specs
Build material | Plastic |
Dimensions | 80.4 x 46.5 x 91.4 mm (3.4″ X 1.8″ X 3.6″ |
Weight | 98 grams (3.5oz) |
Display | LED light |
Sensor | Near Infrared technology |
Measures | Whole-body fat%, Belly fat%, Visceral Fat Level, Metabolic Syndrome. Risk |
Number of body scan spots | 5 |
Bluetooth | 5.0 |
Battery capacity | 600 mAH (Rechargeable Lithium Battery) |
Battery life | 15 hours (charging time 2 hours), C-Type USB |
Colours | White |
Price (typical RRP) | $249 |
Bello 2 review: How it works
As previously stated, the Bello 2 employs NIR technology to measure vital health indicators. NIR technology is a type of light that has a specific wavelength range. The technology has various applications, including assessing human health in hospital settings, as well as in pulse oximeters.
To be more specific, NIR refers to an electromagnetic wavelength range of approximately 780 to 2500 nm. Bello 2 quantitatively makes real-time tissue measurements in the spectral regions of about 650 to 1100 nm.
Unlike traditional methods that estimate body composition by measuring water content in the body, such as BIA devices, NIR technology goes a step further. Bello 2 directly measures the levels of various substances in the body’s tissues, such as haemoglobin concentration, capillary oxygen saturation, and water and lipid content. As a result, measurements are more accurate and reliable, giving users a better understanding of their overall health.
Bello’s scanning technology focuses on regional fat and not overall body fat. To ensure accuracy, the company conducted a comparison of its scan findings with abdominal CT (Computed Tomography) scan results, which showed a high correlation. A study conducted at a renowned university hospital in South Korea also confirmed a strong correlation of 0.8+ between Bello’s scan outcomes and those of abdominal CT scans. Bello’s measurements exhibited a robust correlation with CT scans for both subcutaneous and visceral fat.
The readings also correlate with the Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) Scan. But don’t expect total accuracy. Performing DEXA scans regularly is very costly, although they are considered to be the gold standard.
Another benefit of Bello 2’s NIR technology is that it is a safer alternative to radiation-based equipment such as CT or DEXA scans. The Bello 2 uses a type of light with longer wavelengths and lower energy, so there is no risk of radiation exposure when using it.
Smart scales estimate body composition but are inaccurate
Take smart scales, for example. Many of us use this to estimate our body fat. These devices use BIA to send a small electric current through the feet to measure the resistance encountered as the current travels through the tissues. Because body fat slows the current more than other tissues, the scale can estimate body fat percentage based on the amount of resistance encountered.
That sounds nice in theory. In practice, though, smart scales are notoriously inaccurate at estimating these types of metrics. Readings can vary greatly from one day to the next. On the market, there are products that claim to be able to churn out figures on more than ten different body composition metrics. In reality, aside from actual weight measurements, all of these are broad estimates.
Bello 2 review: How to use
Setting up
The process of starting with the Bello app is quite straightforward. To sign up, you have three options: using your Apple ID, Google account, or Email account. After email verification, you’ll need to fill in general user information, such as name, birth year, gender, and country. If you sign up using your Apple ID or Google account, the information will be automatically filled in from those accounts.
After you log in, the Bello 2 device will connect to the application and the battery charge indicator will appear on the screen. The app will also check to see if your device is running the most recent firmware version.
The current weight is information that you will need to enter when creating your account. You must also measure your waist with a measuring tape and enter the value into the app. Later on, it is possible to change these. In fact, it is important to keep them up to date because your most recent weight and waist circumference measurements influence other calculations.
How to do a scan
Now you are ready to do the first scan. In addition to its safety features, the Bello 2 is simple to use. Users only need to contact the device with their skin for a few seconds to obtain a scan.
You’ll need to scan five different areas on your body. This includes both your biceps, both your outer thighs, and upper abs. The app walks you through everything and there are clear pictures showing the proper positioning. You should be standing up when doing these measurements. It is also good to do these at roughly the same time each day, for example when you get up in the morning.
During your first use, it might take a minute or two to read the app’s instructions and conduct the scan. However, after a day or two, you’ll likely find that scanning all five spots takes less than 30 seconds.
The app is well-designed and easy to navigate. It features three main tabs: the Summary screen, which displays all your data; the Scan tab, which is used for the scanning process; and a Browse section that serves as a repository for additional information and settings.
Type of data you can expect
The data, of course, takes centre stage. Olive Healthcare refers to the core data as the Bello Fat Index. It consists of body fat percentage, abdominal fat percentage, and visceral fat level.
- Whole body fat % represents the portion of fat in relation to your total body weight. While everyone requires some body fat, having too much can be harmful to your health. Bello determines that there is a fat percentage of 100% when there is at least 0.9g of fat per 1ml.
- Belly or abdominal fat % indicates the ratio of fat in your abdomen compared to muscle. Fat can be either on top of your muscles (subcutaneous fat) or surrounding your internal organs (visceral fat).
- Visceral fat level is a simplified metric estimated on a scale from 0 to 10. It estimates your risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome. It’s important to maintain this level within the healthy range for your age and gender group. A level above the 5.25 cut-off point signifies an increased risk.
All the data is clearly laid out, and I like that sprinkled through the app there is educational information. This goes into detail on what each metric represents. You can take multiple measurements during the day and they will be averaged out for the 24 hour period. But you can also look at them individually.
What I like is that if I took multiple measurements in succession, they were fairly similar. It’s not total consistency but much less discrepancy than you would get with a smart scale. But, as already mentioned, don’t expect to get total DEXA scan accuracy.
Bello 2 review: Customised health & wellness guidance
Looking at your body composition measurements is one thing, but knowing if they’re within a healthy range is another. Fortunately, the Bello 2 app does the leg work for you.
After your initial scan, the app assesses your body type and determines your risk for metabolic syndrome. For example, I was placed in the middle group. Which is where I expected I would be. This means that I am ok for now, but that it would be a good idea to make some lifestyle changes.
To help with this, Bello offers a unique feature called the 9 Block Therapy. My body type was classified as “Average Fat,” and I could choose any adjacent block as my goal. I opted to reduce my visceral fat.
The app then sets that as your objective and adjusts your calorie intake and activity recommendations accordingly. Olive Healthcare says that is device uses NHANES data from the US CDC to provide personalised lifestyle suggestions, ensuring users can set and work towards achievable health goals.
Essentially, Bello provides a comprehensive solution to help you become healthier. Select your goal and adhere to the activity and calorie intake recommendations. Perform body scans regularly, and over time, you’ll likely achieve your desired body type.
Bello 2 review: Diet & exercise information
To fully utilise the system, you can input your daily calorie intake. I suspect, this is the part which many people will follow through. But studies have shown, those who track food achieve over double the average weight loss.
To enter diet details, select breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack, in the smartphone app and then search the extensive food database. For instance, typing “Cereal with Milk” presents 20 different options. After adjusting the consumed quantity, the app provides info on carbs, protein, fat, and total calories.
This information is compared to your activity level, showing how many calories you can consume for the rest of the day to stay on track. So you have all the figures at your disposal. There are also workout recommendations in the smartphone app with instructional videos.
Then again, there’s nothing forcing you to log your calories. Some people might prefer just monitoring their progress through body composition metrics and having a rough idea around their calorie intake.
What is good is that activity information, such as steps, is automatically synced as long as you have a Google Health or Apple Health account. So there is no need for you to manually enter how many calories you have burned. But you can do so if you choose to.
The app also syncs with FatSecret, a free platform for tracking food intake. You may prefer this software for logging your meals.
I use a Garmin watch and a Withings scale, which both sync to Apple Health. So while Bello 2 doesn’t speak to either of their apps, their information is ported over via Apple Health. So beyond logging meals and taking regular scans, my only task is to occasionally measure my waist manually and ensure the app has up-to-date information on that metric.
Bello 2 review: The bottom line
The Bello 2 is an innovative health management device that provides users with valuable insights into their body fat composition, visceral fat levels, and Metabolic Health Index. It distinguishes itself from other body fat management tools with its innovative NIR technology, which offers a non-invasive, safe, and accurate method for measuring body components beneath the skin.
Using the Bello 2 is simple and efficient, with users only needing to touch the device to their skin for a few seconds to obtain a scan. The accompanying app provides personalized wellness guidance, dietary advice, and exercise recommendations based on your unique body composition and goals. However, it is important to note that the device’s full potential is best utilized by those willing to consistently log their daily calorie intake and adhere to the app’s personalized suggestions.
The Bello 2’s innovative technology, user-friendly design, and personalized wellness guidance make it a strong contender in the realm of body fat management devices. The device is compact, portable, and user-friendly, making it an attractive option for those committed to tracking their progress and improving their overall wellness.
You can check out Bello 2 on Amazon or the company’s website. The device typically retails for $250.
Buy if
Buy if you are seeking an innovative and accurate body fat management tool. Its patented Near-Infrared Technology offers a non-invasive and safe method for obtaining measurements of body components beneath the skin.The accompanying software offers tailored guidance, making it ideal for those who want to set realistic goals and receive support throughout their fat loss journey.
Don’t buy if
Don’t buy if you expect total DEXA scan level accuracy in your body fat measurements. Additionally, if you’re not committed to logging your daily calorie intake and following the app’s personalized suggestions, you may not fully benefit from the Bello 2’s features.
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