Techin' Geek

I admit to having an aversion to scales—the type that measures weight. My first reaction upon receiving a complimentary body-scanning scale with a Factor meal kit subscription was “Oh dear!”

I expected unpleasant or awkward news, possibly verifying things I was already aware of. However, I was incorrect on both fronts.

Factor, a meal service by HelloFresh, is recognized for delivering fresh, never-frozen prepared meals that are perfect for microwave cooking. I discovered from my review of Factor last year that air-frying them, ideally with a Ninja Crispi, enhances their flavor.

Factor is especially good for low-carb, protein-dense diets favored by those looking to shed pounds or gain muscle. Therefore, they provide a scale to monitor muscle increase, fat reduction, or both, promoting ongoing use of their service for fitness or wellness aspirations.

At present, Factor is providing a discount for the first week. Regular meals range from $14 to $15 each, accompanied by an $11 shipping fee per box—less expensive than most restaurant deliveries but pricier than homemade meals.

Subscribers who enroll before the end of March will receive a complimentary Withings Body Comp scale with their third meal box. This scale, valued at over $200, assesses fat, muscle, and bone composition, as well as stress and blood vessel elasticity. It’s regarded as WIRED’s premier smart scale, comparable to a fitness tracker for your feet.

To take advantage of this offer, use the code CONWITHINGS on Factor’s website or through the promotional link.

The scale that comes with the subscription is the advanced Body Comp scale from Withings, a pioneer in fitness tracking. It uses bioelectrical impedance analysis to gauge weight, body fat percentage, lean muscle, visceral fat, bone and water mass, heart rate, and arterial stiffness.

Collecting this data only requires standing on the scale for a few moments. The scale identifies you based on weight according to your profile description, cycling through metrics before delivering a cheerful weather update.

Your electrodermal activity, measured by skin response through foot sweat gland stimulation, indicates either stress or excitement. The Withings scale also assesses arterial age or stiffness based on blood velocity during heartbeats, supported by some scientific research.

Many doctors caution against treating body composition metrics as absolute. Others contend that previous “gold standard” measurements were not entirely accurate. This remains a topic of debate. Personally, I consider smart-scale readings as a means for tracking progress and pinpointing potential health concerns that may require medical attention.

Naturally, I was anxious. So much bad news all at once! I thought.