This is why you must stop listening to the scales

Everyone is guilty of this, especially if you’re actively in the gym.

Yes, we all need a measurables to continue seeing progress and help us stay motivated! Whether it is tracking weights to get stronger or body fat percentage or progress pictures, but this is why the scales can be so misleading.

The scale doesn’t know if you:

• Lifted heavier this week
• Lowered your body fat
• Built lean muscle
• Improved your strength, energy, or confidence

Relying on the scale alone can:

• Mask fat loss if muscle is being gained at the same time
• Discourage you when progress is happening
• Push people into extreme dieting instead of sustainable training
• Create an unhealthy emotional attachment to a number

In the case of my client Aimee this is exactly what happened. For two months, the scales didn’t move. Literally did not budge! BUT she was improving weights on all her lifts, physically looked more toned, improved energy and mood.

SO what did we do? We used the Inbody 270 machine to get a further read and more details. In mid-August 2025, Aimee’s body fat percentage was sitting at 29.1% and muscle mass was 26.3kg. In October 2025 – six weeks later – the Inbody told us her muscle mass was 27.2kg and body fat dropped to 27.2%

Aimee’s scale weight stayed at 67.3kg but in those 6 weeks , 2% of body fat was lost and a whole kilogram of muscle gained. So that is why we must stop trusting scales.

If you want these results , enquire for PT with me using either platform below!

Author – Rachel Coe, Personal Trainer at The Gym Newbridge and The Gym Monasterevin

Instagram – @rachelcoe_

Email – rachelcoept@gmail.com