How to use the Amazfit Balance Body Composition feature

The Amazfit Balance watch marks the debut of Zepp Health’s Body Composition measurement feature. This tool offers users a comprehensive analysis of a few innovative health metrics, right from their wrist. Here’s how to use it.

Launched in early September, Amazfit Balance is essentially an extension of the GTR range. The company seems to have changed its naming convention this year.

Balance distinguishes itself from the GTR 4 with several new features. Its Training Readiness function provides insights into body energy and sleep quality, offering guidance for balancing work and rest. The inclusion of Zepp Pay, currently operational in a handful of countries, adds a layer of convenience for daily transactions. The Body Composition feature is noteworthy for those monitoring body fat. Additionally, there have been a few more enhancements such as a better heart rate monitor. These features collectively enhance the user experience, making the Balance a more holistic health and lifestyle companion.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The device’s recent firmware update, introduces several other enhancements. Key updates include real-time performance alerts for runners, post-workout heart rate recovery tracking, and additional running plans. The first of these is particularly useful as it provides users with instant feedback on their performance, something akin to what Garmin sports watches do.

But let’s get back to the Body Composition feature.

Using the Amazfit Balance Body Composition feature

To effectively use the Body Composition feature on the Amazfit Balance, follow these steps:

1. Update personal information:
   • Before starting, ensure your personal information is current in the Zepp smartphone app. Navigate to ‘Profile’, check all details like age, height, and weight, and update if necessary.
   • Click on your avatar to confirm your details. When you are done the info will be synchronised to your watch.
2. Prepare the watch:
   • Clean the watch’s buttons and electrodes to ensure accurate readings. Any residue or dirt can interfere with the measurement process.
   • Wear the watch correctly: It should be snug on your wrist, positioned approximately one finger width from your wrist bone. This placement is crucial for precise sensor readings.
3. Remove any obstructions:
   • If you’ve just bought your watch, make sure you take the sticker on the underside of the device off. Some users have complained they could not take a reading, and then they realised they did not take the sticker off!
4. Initiating the measurement:
   • Open the Body Composition app on your Amazfit Balance watch.
   • When prompted, make sure your weight information is up to date. This is essential for precise body composition analysis.
5. Correct posture for measurement:
   • Stand up straight and raise your arms. The arm wearing the watch should be extended in front of your body, parallel to the ground.
   • With the palm of your other hand facing upwards, place your middle finger and ring finger on the two buttons located on the side of the watch. This contact is necessary for the bioelectrical impedance analysis to work.
   • Ensure that your left and right hands do not touch each other, and avoid any contact between your arms and your body. This prevents interference in the measurement process.
6. During the measurement:
   • Stay still and maintain the posture described above. Movement can disrupt the sensor’s readings.
   • The watch will take a few seconds to gather the data.
7. Viewing the results:
   • Once the measurement is complete, the results will be displayed on your watch.
   • For a more detailed analysis, including trends over time, access the Body Composition section in the Zepp smartphone app. Navigate to Home > Body Composition to view your data.

This innovative tool allows users to track key health metrics such as body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, total muscle mass, water content, bone mass, protein levels, BMI, and Basal Metabolism. It’s worth noting, the smartwatch primarily gathers data from the upper body due to its wrist-based placement. So this is a limitation.

As mentioned, the device uses the same technology to make these estimates as smart scales – bioelectrical impedance analysis. But even in advanced devices like smart scales which use the whole body to spit out this type of data, results can vary. So take the measurements with a pinch of salt. Zepp Health also advises that the data may be less accurate for certain demographics, including those under 20 and professional athletes. Correct positioning and updated personal information are key for optimal results.

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