We try every day to stay fit and improve ourselves, with sports and regular activity. Today’s reality emphasizes that our health is an essential part of our daily life. We need to take care of ourselves, keep our bodies strong, and monitor our health to find and solve problems as early as possible.

Nowadays, we have access to many devices that monitor our body, activity, even sleep and stress. However, some devices have similar functions but slightly different workflows.

In this article, we will speak about devices with bioimpedance analysis as a primary feature. The main question: What makes AURA Devices different?

Contents:

What is bioimpedance analysis?

It's time to dive into science: but don't worry, it won't be too deep. Bioelectrical impedance analysis, BIA for short, analyzes human body composition by measuring impedance as a small alternating current travels through the body. The technology helps us supply a range of information, including your hydration level, as well as fat and muscle density.

Knowing how BIA technology works, we can move forward to the article's key topic.

Body composition tracking: AURA Devices vs. scales

Bioimpedance scales and wearables are both intended to monitor body composition, to help users take better care of themselves, and make their workouts more efficient (and less dangerous). However, they do have some significant differences: they provide different user experiences and use different workflows to monitor your body.

How do scales work

Body composition monitoring scales like Tanita, Withings, EatSmart, Huawei, etc., are easy to use. You simply step on the scale, and the tool measures your body weight and your hydration, fat, and muscle percentages. But how does the magic happen? The idea is pretty simple: when you step on the scale, a small electrical current runs up through your leg and across your pelvis, measuring the amount of resistance from your body.

How does AURA Strap work

AURA Strap is an easy-to-use accessory for your Apple Watch. It’s tiny, but has a lot of functionality inside a small buckle. You simply connect it to your Watch, install the AURA App, hold your opposite hand over the AURA Strap buckle for about 30 seconds so the device can measure your hydration, fat, and muscles. The concept is still pretty simple: when you place your opposite hand over the AURA Strap buckle, a small electrical current runs up through your arm and across your chest, measuring the amount of resistance from your body. All the data received can easily link up to your Apple Watch or smartphone, as well as Apple HealthKit.

What are the big differences?

The main and the most significant difference between the devices is that scales use the lower part of your body to measure body composition, while AURA Strap uses the upper part of your body. That's why data may vary slightly.

However, there are some other differences between the two:

1. AURA Strap is more flexible
The AURA App asks about your fitness activity, body, and a range of other inputs during usage. More data allows the Strap to be more accurate and provide more relevant results. Weight scales usually only provide discrete Normal and Athlete modes, and nothing more.

2. You can use AURA Strap anywhere
Our wearable is always on your wrist. So you can take a measurement wherever you want. It helps to see the actual efficiency of your training. At the same time, you can only use smart scales at home.

3. The AURA App analyses and stores your health data
The app securely stores your health data so you can access it anywhere for a quick idea of your body composition changes throughout the day. It also compares your results with the norm and shows where you can push more. Smart scales also have an app for your smartphone, but it is limited by results history.

4. AURA Devices support deep integration with Apple HealthKit
We maximize integration with Apple HealthKit to store all possible data in the data hub for 3rd party apps. Smart scales usually only store your weight to the HealthKit.

5. Regular updates with new features
The AURA App is updated 2-4 times per month, bringing valuable new features to users. Smart scale brands don't update their products very often.

Who should use AURA Strap


Having compared AURA Strap and scales, you can see that AURA Strap is a better option in a variety of situations. It’s perfect if you're looking for a portable device with a user-friendly, well-maintainedregularly updated app that monitors body composition based on detailed health inputs: from fitness activity to body type, and even your favorite sports.

Nevertheless, both scales and wearables are a great way to support your long-term health.

Benefits of both scales and wearables

As we’ve discovered, measuring your weight is not enough for detailed guidance: we’re all made of muscle, water, and fat in different proportions. It is essential to understand exactly what you are losing through your diet and exercise, to maximize your workout results and avoid unintended harm to your health.

1. Affordability
There are other methods of measuring your body composition like DEXA scans, but none are affordable or available for home use. Owning an AURA Strap or scale with lots of innovative features allows you to monitor your body parameters more quickly and at a much lower cost.

2. Better weight understanding
As we mentioned before, your weight is influenced by much more than just the exact number of pounds. Moreover, you might be losing fat and gaining muscle, which will not show remarkable differences on the scale. It can also mislead you into thinking that your workout program is not showing the desired results. Using bioimpedance devices allows you to understand your composition better, so you will know exactly how healthy your weight is.

3. More efficient and safer workouts
Checking your hydration level and visceral fat will help you design a more efficient workout program. You will know exactly which aspect to target, so you won’t lose precious muscle mass or gain fat by eating the wrong food.

4. Personalization
Both devices require you to insert your age, gender, height, and other information to store measurements and create an evolution chart. This is used to monitor your personal progress and help you achieve your goals faster.

Try AURA Strap

Summary

Today, it's essential for us to protect our health and body — our mental health, immunity and general mood depend on it. We are a big ecosystem, and every part should work correctly.

Both devices mentioned here can provide additional data about your body and help make your workouts more safe and efficient. Additionally, these devices change your general perception of yourself and your attitude toward your health and body.