Runners are notorious for tracking just about everything. From miles logged and elevation gained, to calories eaten and heart rates recorded, many of us even keep journals to dissect what made a run feel great (or not so great). And even if you’re not a “notebook runner,” chances are you at least upload to Strava to keep a log of progress.
At Run Oregon, we don’t believe there’s a “right” weight for every runner, nor do we think scales should be the ultimate measurement of health. Running and overall fitness are about much more than the number that flashes back at you when you step onto a piece of glass in your bathroom.
That said, there’s value in learning more about your body and how it responds to training, nutrition, and recovery. That’s where the RunStar 8E SmartScan Body Fat Scale stands out — it goes beyond a single number and provides a more complete picture of what’s happening inside.
The Basics
Unlike a standard bathroom scale, the 8E SmartScan uses 8-electrode technology to analyze not just overall weight but also body composition by region — arms, legs, and torso. For runners, this means you can see how your training is affecting different parts of your body over time. If you’re building strength with hill repeats or supplementing with gym work, it can be helpful to see whether your muscle mass is balancing out across your body.
The built-in 3.5” TFT color display shows 7 key body metrics right away — things like BMI, body fat percentage, and muscle mass. These can be compared to past results directly on the screen, so you don’t always have to open an app just to see progress. If you want the full suite of numbers, the connected app expands that to 28 different metrics (visceral fat, water percentage, skeletal muscle, and more), and includes an athlete mode to fine-tune accuracy for those with higher training loads.
Why Runners Might Care
- Training Feedback Beyond the Run: We track splits and heart rates because numbers tell a story. Body composition is another story to follow — one that can highlight if strength training is paying off or if recovery needs more attention.
- Regional Data: Instead of only knowing total body fat, you can see differences between arms, legs, and torso. For example, if you’ve been sidelined with a leg injury (we’ve all been there), you might notice changes in muscle mass or fat percentage that can guide your comeback.
- Consistency in Tracking: Like a running journal, regular use can highlight trends. Maybe your muscle mass is climbing during your strength phase, or your hydration percentage fluctuates with marathon training.
What We Liked
- Multiple Profiles: Families, couples, or training groups can each track their own progress without overlap.
- PDF Print Option: If you prefer old-school binders or handwritten notes (like me!), you can export results to PDF and print them.
- Layered Tracking: You get quick, digestible numbers on the scale itself and deeper data if you want to dig into the app. You don’t HAVE to dive in if you don’t want to.
What’s Not Perfect
- App Dependency: For the full breakdown, you need to use the companion app. Some runners may find this extra tech layer unnecessary. Personally, I dislike that there is an app for EVERYTHING nowadays. Luckily this does transfer over into more common places like Apple Health.
- Over-Tracking Risk: Just as we can get too wrapped up in pace and splits, it’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing “perfect” body numbers. The scale is best used as a tool — not as the final word on fitness.
Final Thoughts
The RunStar 8E SmartScan Body Fat Scale isn’t something every runner needs, but for those who like data and want to understand how their training affects their body beyond miles and pace, it’s worth a look. It strikes a balance between convenience (quick readouts on the scale) and depth (full-body metrics in the app).
As always, a scale should never be the sole measure of running health or success — but if used thoughtfully, this one can add another layer of insight into the bigger picture of fitness.