The innovative Shapa smart scale hides all the scary numbers

By Mark Myerson on Jan 23, 2018, 9:00 am EST under Product Reviews

The Shapa smart scale hides the scary figures to help you stay motivated. But can a numberless scale really work?

The innovative Shapa smart scale hides all the scary numbers

Scales with no display

Scientists are constantly looking for the secret to weight loss. One study hopes to find the answer in DNA.
In the meantime, technology is coming to the rescue. The innovative Shapa smart scale helps you stay motivated by hiding the scary numbers.
The product is backed by Dan Ariely, a published professor of psychology and behavioral economics.

Losing weight was never easy. While diets can feel like mental torture, extra gym sessions deliver pain to the body. Staying motivated through this process takes some serious commitment. Even when you’re making progress, it’s easy to become disheartened by the scary numbers. That’s why the Shapa smart scale uses color-coded prompts to push you forward towards a healthier lifestyle.

No Scary Numbers

The human mind often works in strange ways. In theory, you should be pleased to lose two pounds. But when that moves you from 200 pounds to 198, the improvement seems insignificant.

Shapa uses smart algorithms to make the climb seem less steep. The scale has no display; instead, you receive feedback via the companion smartphone app.

[tweet_box]The Shapa smart scale uses color-coded prompts to push you forward towards a healthier lifestyle[/tweet_box]

Instead of pounds and ounces, you are presented with personalized feedback. This could be a prod to do more, or a simple pat on the back for a job well done.

Scales with no display

Scaling the Mountain

In physical terms, Shapa doesn’t look that different from your regular bathroom scales. The device is small and round, with a glossy top surface. There are four finishes to choose from — faux cherry or oak, solid black, and orange.

Wood finish

However, this set of scales has no dial. Shapa measures your weight, but keeps the raw data under wraps. Instead, the companion app calculates your “Shapa age” — an overall assessment of your health.

The Shapa app

If you have a particular weight goal in mind, the app will also tell you whether you’re heading in the right direction. It does this using a traffic-light system of colors.

The idea is to help you make consistent, small improvements. In addition, the algorithms hide minor fluctuations that might otherwise cause alarm.

Personlized feedback

The Shapa method does seem to work. Early test users lost an average of 5.8 pounds over the course of 12 weeks. This gradual pace of change will suit weight watchers and folks preparing for the beach season.

It seems possible, however, that people with greater weight loss ambitions might actually be held back by the lack of hard figures. Only time will tell.

Steady weight loss

Smart Additions

Along with some clever math, the Shapa app acts like your personal health coach. You get daily health and fitness missions to complete, like going for a walk after dinner or eating something green. Furthermore, Shapa integrates with Amazon Alexa, so you can hear your goals. You can even share your progress with friends for a little peer support.

“Ever eat healthy all day only to see the number go up on your scale? Don’t blame yourself – it’s your body’s natural weight fluctuations. Shapa takes care of the confusing and painful smallest changes in your weight to give you the feedback that matters to your health.” — Shapa, Inc