Health O Meter Healthometer BFM980 User manual

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This manual contains important information about this product’s
operation. If you have purchased this product for use by others
you must leave this manual – or a copy – with the end user.
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USER1 USER2
SET
PROFESSIONAL BODY F
PROFESSIONAL BODY FA AT T
MONITOR AND SCALE
MONITOR AND SCALE
User’s Manual
Model BFM980

Body Fat Composition
Not all body mass is the same —you are made up of both lean mass
and fat mass. Lean mass includes vital organs, muscle, and bone. Fat
mass is body fat, and you need a certain amount of body fat for good
health. It helps the body store energy, and insulates and protects lean
mass. Too much body fat, however, is not healthy.
If you have used traditional bathroom scales in the past, you know it
only tells you what you weigh overall—both lean mass and body fat
together. The Health o meter®Professional Body Fat Monitor and
Scale lets you check both your weight and body fat.
About Body Fat
About Body Fat
Congratulations on your purchase of this HEALTH-O-METER®wellness
monitoring device. It’s so much more than just a scale—it’s a technolog-
ically advanced device. Just program your personal information and it
helps you monitor your weight and body fat. It’s easy to program, and
can store information for two different people. Once your data is stored,
it will only need to be reentered if there is a change to the data. Just
step on the scale and read your data. It’s that simple!
Determining Body Fat Composition
The Health o meter®Professional Body Fat Monitor and Scale uses a
technique called “BIA”or Bioelectric Impedence Analysis. A harmless
bioelectric current passes from the foot pads through the body. The
current travels at different speeds through lean mass and body fat. The
scale’s microprocessor analyzes the impedance, or speed of the current
travelling through the body.
Since everyone is unique, the scale also asks you to enter your height,
age, gender, which—along with weight—is used to calculate the com-
position of the body. The display shows the percentage of body fat.
According to estimates by the US Surgeon General, nearly one-fourth
of adult Americans are overweight. Obesity is defined as having an
abnormally high proportion of body fat. Obesity is known to be a risk
factor for health problems including heart disease, high blood pressure,
stroke, diabetes, and even certain types of cancer.
The Health o meter®Professional Body Fat Monitor and Scale can help
you in achieving your physical best by providing two critical measure-
ment estimates: BODY FAT COMPOSITION and BODY WEIGHT.
The Health o meter®Professional Body Fat Monitor and Scale is
intended for the estimation of percent body fat and body weight.

Body Fat Composition Ranges
Age
≤19
20-29
30-39
40-49
≥50
Excellent
12.0
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0
Good
12.1 to17.0
13.1 to 18.0
14.1 to 19.0
15.1 to 20.0
16.1 to 21.5
Obese
>27.1
>28.1
>29.1
>30.1
>31.1
MEN
WOMEN
Taken from Principals & Labs for Fitness and Wellness, 1st Edition. ©1999
Moderate
17.1 to 22.0
18.1 to 23.0
19.1 to 24.0
20.1 to 25.0
21.1 to 26.0
Overweight
22.1 to 27.0
23.1 to 28.0
24.1 to 29.0
25.1 to 30.0
26.1 to 31.0
Age
≤19
20-29
30-39
40-49
≥50
Excellent
17.0
18.0
19.0
20.0
21.0
Good
17.1 to 22.0
18.1 to 23.0
19.1 to 24.0
20.1 to 25.0
21.1 to 26.5
Obese
>32.1
>33.1
>34.1
>35.1
>36.1
Moderate
12.1 to 27.0
23.1 to 28.0
24.1 to 29.0
25.1 to 30.0
26.1 to 31.0
Overweight
27.1 to 32.0
28.1 to 33.0
29.1 to 34.0
30.1 to 35.0
31.1 to 36.0
1

Please read all instructions to familiarize yourself with
features and operations before programming the scale.
•Use of this scale is not recommended for persons with an
electric implant (heart pacemaker).
•Scale will not calculate body fat unless you have bare feet.
•For an accurate body fat estimate, do not bend your knees,
and keep your legs/thighs apart and straight when standing
on the scale.
•Body fat percentages may be slightly higher or lower for
pregnant women, children under 16, persons with fever,
persons with swollen legs, persons with diabetes and other
health conditions.
Installing the Battery
1. Locate the battery cover on the back of the scale.
2. Pull the cover back and insert the 9-volt battery as indicated under
the cover.
3. If "L" appears in the display, replace the battery.
Unit of Measurement:
Scale Programming: The Health-o-meter®Professional Body Fat
Monitor and Scale can be programmed to calculate the body fat
composition of up to two different users. A few steps must be followed
to input the user’s height, age and gender. Once the information is
entered, it only needs to be reentered if there is a change to the data.
First, make sure the Health-o-meter®Professional Body Fat Monitor
and Scale is in the “standby”mode. When it is in standby, the LCD
display should be blank. If the LCD is not blank, simply wait several
seconds without touching or moving the scale and the display will
automatically shut off.
First Time Programming Instructions
On the back of the scale platform, use the selector switch to
set the unit of measurement to “LB”or “KG”.
2
Operating Instr
Operating Instructions uctions

3
1. Push the "SET" button.
a. User "1" & User "2" start to blink.
b. Use the "UP" and "DOWN" buttons to switch between User "1"
and User "2". Once the correct User number is blinking, press
"SET".
2. The "Height" icon will start blinking.
a. Press the "UP" or "DOWN" arrows until your correct height
shows on the display.
b. After correct height displays, press "SET".
3. The "Age" icon will start blinking.
a. Press the "UP" or "DOWN" arrows until your correct age
shows on the display.
b. When correct age displays, press "SET".
4. Both "M" (male) and "F" (female) icons will start blinking.
a. Press the "UP" or "DOWN" arrows to switch between “M" and "F".
b. When correct gender displays, press "SET".
5. The correct user #, height, and gender will display, then age dis-
plays. The user profile has been entered successfully and scale is
ready for body fat reading. You are now ready to start achieving
your fitness goals by monitoring your weight and body fat compo-
sition. Read on for easy operating instructions.
6. Repeat Steps 1-5 to program a second user.
NOTE: If no key is pushed within 8-10 seconds, the scale turns off
automatically.
Instructions for Body Fat Estimation:
1.Make sure you have programmed your personal data.
2. Place the scale on a flat, level surface. A hard surface is best for
maximum accuracy. Placing the scale on a very soft, deep pile rug
may affect weighing accuracy.
3. Gently press your personal user # (1 or 2 on left and right side of
display) with your toe–make sure you have properly programmed
this earlier. Your personal profile will appear on the screen.
4. Wait until "000.0" appears on the display.
5. Stand on the scale (bare feet only!) so the balls of your feet are on
the upper silver pads, heels are on the lower silver pads. (Fig. 1)
NOTE: For accurate fat estimates, always measure in bare feet.
Fig. 1
Small
Person
Large
Person

6. "000" will blink and your weight will appear on the display for
approximately 3 seconds.
7. "BF" flashes and your body fat % appears on the display.
8. Scale turns off automatically after a few seconds.
If "E" appears on the display, an error has occurred. Step off
the scale and carefully repeat the steps again. The "E" will also
appear when the load is greater than the maximum capacity.
NEVER apply a load beyond the maximum capacity.
Instructions for Weight Reading:
1. Place the scale on a flat, level surface. A hard surface is best for
maximum accuracy. Placing the scale on a soft, surface, such as a
deep pile rug, may affect weighing accuracy.
2. Gently tap the center of the scale platform to turn scale “ON”.
3. 888.8 will flash on the display until 000.0 is displayed.
4. Step on the scale and stand still to weigh. 000.0 will blink until your
correct weight is locked in and displayed.
5. Step off the scale and the scale turns off automatically.
NOTE: Stepping on the scale before 000.0 appears will cause “E”
(error signal). If “E”does appear, step off the scale and start again.
NOTE: It is not necessary to have the user’s personal data pro-
grammed into the scale to obtain an accurate weight-only reading.
NOTE: It is normal for your weight to vary during a day and from one
day to another, slight changes in weight are generally normal.
How Does My Professional Body Fat Monitor and
Scale Work?
Your new Professional Body Fat Monitor and Scale works on a principal
called "BIA" or bioelectrical impedance analysis. The scale sends a low-
level electric current through your body (you won’t feel a thing!). While
the current travels easily through lean muscle, it must work harder to
pass through fat. The harder the current works, the higher "impedance
value" it produces. To put it simply, the scale plugs the impedance value
into an equation along with your sex, age, height and weight to calcu-
late body fat %.
BIA values can be affected by hydration, food and liquid consumption,
recent exercise, and time of day, so it’s important to track your progress
regularly. And don’t worry about short-term fluctuations –the goal is
long-term fitness and health!
4
Educational Materials
Educational Materials

5
Helpful Monitoring Tips:
•Stick with your scale. Avoid weighing yourself on health club scales
or other scales, since measurements can vary among devices.
•Try to measure yourself at the same time of day, like first thing in
the morning.
•Don’t eat or exercise for two hours before you get on the scale.
•Don’t get upset by short-term weight gains or plateaus. Remember,
the goal is long-term fitness.
•Once you reach your desired weight and body fat %, use your body
fat scale once a week to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Monitoring Body Fat Promotes Healthy Weight Loss!
Amy and Sue are both 5’4" and weigh 150 pounds. Each has a starting
body fat % of 35.75%. To get fit, Amy cut calories and tried a "fat-free"
diet. Sue reduced her calorie intake, but added regular aerobic exercise
and strength training.
At the end of eight weeks, each woman lost 15 pounds. What’s the dif-
ference? As you can see from the chart, Amy actually got "fatter," gain-
ing body fat. Sue lost weight and decreased her body fat.
Losing weight alone does not mean getting fit!
NOTE: The materials in this brochure are not intended to replace advice
from your doctor or fitness professional. Please consult with your physi-
cian before beginning any fitness program or fat or weight reduction
program. Individual weight loss will vary. Health o meter takes no
responsibility for individual results, or any claim made by a third party.

Keep Moving!
You don’t need a health club membership or pricey exercise equipment
to get in shape. The key is to keep moving. Find an activity you love,
whether it’s walking, swimming, cycling, or aerobics, and stick with it.
Start slowly, then build up to 30-60 minutes of aerobic activity three to
four days a week. Regular exercise helps improve circulation, relieve
stress, increase metabolism, improve posture, increase energy and trim
and tone your entire body!
Best of all, the more you exercise, the more fat you burn! That’s right.
Muscles burn fat while you’re working out and while you’re at rest. The
more lean muscle mass you build, the easier it becomes to maintain a
healthy percentage of body fat and that’s important. Did you know that
the average person loses 1/2 pound of muscle and gains 1-1/2 pounds
of fat a year as part of the natural aging process? Building and main-
taining healthy muscles is very important to life-long fitness.
Aerobic Exercise or Cardiovascular Training raises your heart rate,
strengthening your heart and lungs while you burn calories. Cardiovas-
cular exercises include cycling, swimming, power walking or running, and
aerobic classes. To be effective, you must reach and stay within your "tar-
get heart rate," defined as 50-70% of your maximum heart rate.
To calculate your maximum heart rate, subtract your age from 220. To
determine your target heart rate, multiply your maximum heart rate by
50-70%. If you raise your heart rate above your target range, you will
still get an aerobic benefit, but you will not burn fat.
Examples:
Age Maximum Heart Rate Target Heart Rate
25 220-25 = 195 97.5-136. 5
30 220-30 = 190 95.0-133.0
35 220-35 = 185 92.5-129.5
40 220-40 = 180 90.0-126.0
45 220-45 = 175 87.5-122.5
The American Heart Association recommends 30-60 minutes of aerobic
exercise three to four times a week to promote cardiovascular fitness.
Resistance or Strength Training firms the body and tones the muscles.
While these exercises, which include weight lifting, sit-ups, and toning, do
not directly burn fat, they do build muscle. The more lean muscle you
have, the more easily your body can burn calories and reduce body fat.
Fitness professionals recommend at least 30 minutes of strength train-
ing two to three days a week.
6

Helpful Exercise Tips:
•Set goals. Write down what you want to achieve in the short and
long term.
•Make exercise a habit. Choose a time every day –even 30 minutes
–and stick to it.
•Vary your workout. Mix up your activities to avoid burn out.
•Recruit a friend! Working out as a team keeps you both motivated.
•Keep a success journal. Write down your activity, weight and body
fat percentage.
Through regular exercise you can lose weight by burning fat. With diet
alone, you lose weight by losing beneficial muscle and bone tissue.
Monitor Your Body Fat
You’ve already learned how important proper body fat levels are for
total health and fitness. Now you’ll learn how to find your body fat
baseline and get the maximum benefit from your Professional Body Fat
Monitor and Scale.
Every body is different, and ever-changing. It’s not uncommon for your
weight to fluctuate by as much as three pounds throughout the day.
While this is normal –usually associated with changes in hydration - it
does change your body composition slightly. That’s why it is important
to establish your personal baseline before you set your fitness goals.
The first 7-10 days you use your Professional Body Fat Monitor and
Scale, record your weight and body fat % in this chart. You will use
these numbers to calculate your baseline.
Finding your baseline is easy! Just total your weight and body fat %,
then divide each total by the number of days.
Baseline Weight = Total Weight + Number of Days
Baseline Body Fat % = Total Body Fat % + Number of Days
Once you determine your baseline numbers, you’re ready to use your
Professional Body Fat Monitor and Scale to reach your fitness goals!
7
Day 1
Weight
Body
Fat %
Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10

8
Why Measure Body Fat?
The key to long-term weight management and better health is building
lean muscle and losing body fat. Being healthy doesn’t mean getting
"skinny." A thin person can have an unhealthy excess of body fat. A
muscuslar person can technically be overweight, but healthy. Getting
and staying lean means controlling your body fat percentage.
Health professionals outline healthy body fat levels as follows:
•Fit: No more than 23% body fat for men, 27% for women.
•Exceeds Ideal Range: 24% or more body fat for men, 28% or more
for women.
•Obese: Defined as an excess of 30% body fat for men or women.
Measuring estimated body fat and weight together gives you a more
accurate picture of your total fitness. As part of a fitness plan, it helps you
set more realistic goals, and better reflects a positive healthy change in
your overall body composition. Unlike weight, body fat levels do not fluc-
tuate in response to gains or losses of muscle or water content.
Body fat isn’t always visible, and traditional scales can’t measure it.
Is All Body Fat Bad?
Everyone has some body fat. In fact, “Essential”body fat helps keep
you healthy. It cushions and insulates your joints, tissues and vital
organs. It helps regulate body temperature. It stores important vita-
mins. It even helps the body sustain itself when food is scarce. If you
had too little body fat, your body would start breaking down muscle
tissue for energy.
Too much body fat, however, can lead to serious health problems,
including heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke,
osteoarthritis, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea and other respiratory
disorders, and certain types of cancer.
How Much Body Fat is Right for Me?
Here are some guidelines for determining a healthy body fat percent-
age. However, to determine the body fat range that’s right for you, we
recommend you consult your doctor.
Body Composition Analyzer Healthy Body Fat Guidelines
Under 30 Years Old Over 30 Years Old
Women 17% to 24% 20% to 27%
Men 14% to 20% 17% to 23%