Issue 053

August 2009

A fighter can never travel too far from a set of scales. Making weight is one of the most widely practiced aspects of MMA. Some fighters may like to strike, some may like to grapple, but everyone needs to get on the scales at some point.  

Why use them?

There are two main reasons to use scales. One is to monitor your weight gain (or loss) as part of a training program so you can see how you are doing. The other is to make sure you are at the right weight for a fight or competition.  

When would you use them?

It depends on how closely you need to keep an eye on your weight. If you have a fight coming up, you might need to weigh yourself every day, or every other day.  

The best time to check your weight is first thing in the morning before breakfast. This gives the most consistency between readings.  

Mechanical scales 

Analogue scales (the ones with a dial reading) tend to be spring scales, which measure the amount that a spring is either stretched or compressed by the load. This mechanism is used in many bathroom scales, and in some more accurate medical scales. Spring scales can get worn out and lose accuracy after a lifetime of being jumped on by fighters, jammed in suitcases and generally kicked around the gym.   

Balance scales 

The traditional scale used for weigh-ins is a balance scale, where a fighter’s weight is compared against a known weight. These tend to have good accuracy, but are bulky and not easily transported.  

Calibration 

Calibration is the process of comparing a set of scales against a known weight to ensure they give a correct reading.  If you are looking for a good-quality scale to buy, look for one that has a calibration certificate.  

Scales that are used for weigh-ins, competitions and fight shows should be professionally calibrated on a regular basis. The excuse “It’s the same set of scales for everyone so it doesn’t matter” doesn’t wash. Fighters have to carefully plan their diet and training to be at a specific weight and an extra kilo can make a huge difference.  

Electronic scales 

Digital scales use a strain gauge mechanism, where a metal bar is bent by the weight, changing its resistance to electrical current. Accuracy varies between models.  

GENERAL TIPS

Don’t confuse sensitivity, accuracy and reliability

Sensitivity is how small a change in weight the scales will notice. Accuracy is how close the reading is to your actual weight. Reliability is how likely you are to get the same result each time if you weigh yourself repeatedly.  

Just because a set of digital scales gives you a reading to the nearest 0.1kg, don’t take this to mean that it is accurate to the nearest 0.1kg. It’s not uncommon for bathroom scales to be wrong by a kilo or more. Digital scales are not necessarily any more accurate than analogue (dial) scales.  

Have access to an accurate and reliable set of scales

Any gym that regularly enters fighters in competition should consider investing in a good set of scales. If fighters use their own scales at home, they can compare these with the accurate set.  

When you get to a competition venue, check your weight on the official scales at the earliest possible opportunity so that if you need to cut any extra weight you will have time to do so.  

Think about the floor

With some types of scales, the surface you put them on can affect the result significantly. Soft ground, carpet or uneven surfaces can all lead to an inaccurate result.  

Give yourself a margin for error 

Allow for the fact that scales may be inaccurate and give yourself a margin for error when planning your weight cutting.