Where To Weigh Myself For Free? 10 Places With Free Scales
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With summer ending right around the corner, there is still a bit of time left to aim for that summer bod!
Or, you can get a headstart on next year’s New Year’s resolution to lose weight and get in shape.
Although weight isn’t the primary indicator of overall health, it can still serve as a decent litmus test.
Maintaining a healthy weight is important for a variety of reasons, as it can have significant impacts on your overall physical and mental well-being.
For instance, maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of chronic disease, improve cardiovascular health and respiratory function, and increase overall energy levels.
Similarly, being at a healthy weight promotes better sleep and hormone balance.
Places With Free Scales To Weigh Yourself
Not everyone has access to a scale at home. So we have compiled this list of a variety of places to weigh yourself for free.
Be sure to check with each location for their specific terms and conditions.
1. Higi Station
Per their website: “Higi is a consumer health engagement company making it easier for all people to measure, track and act on their health data by bridging physical and digital touch points of the healthcare ecosystem.”
Essentially, Higi is a company that operates and maintains a network of over six thousand FDA-cleared (and free to use) healthcare stations which allow you to screen for blood pressure, weight and BMI.
When you use one of their stations, you can choose to sign up for their free platform and monitor your health information over the course of time. You can also choose to skip the sign-up process and use their station as a guest.
The goal of a Higi station is to meet the consumer where they are across the country. They are located in just about every state in the country.
Simply go to their website, insert your zip code and you can see if there is a Higi Station nearby you to try out.
2. Publix (or other local grocery store)
If you live in the Sunshine State, then you know all about the iconic Publix scales that greet each customer as you enter the supermarket.
The industrial-style scales are manufactured by the Swiss company Mettler Toledo, and they are no longer in production, so these scales will slowly be phased out. However, they are still free to the public.
The idea to first put a scale inside of the grocery store came from Publix founder George Jenkins.
At the time, household scales were not common at all. So back in the 1940s, shop owners would have a scale available to their patrons, but for a small surcharge.
Jenkins thought of including a free scale inside the store in hopes of getting people to weigh themselves and then finding themselves enticed by the mystique of the grocery store.
A Publix historian says of Jenkins’ novel idea with the scales: “His idea was hoping that when they walked in the doors, they would smell these fresh donuts, see the beautiful colors, and feel the cool air.”
His idea certainly worked. Even to this day, you can find people weighing themselves on a daily basis.
If you go late at night, you will often find people taking their suitcases to be weighed to make sure they don’t go over the airline baggage limits.
Again, these scales are only found in the state of Florida, but you can check with your local grocery store to see if they have a similar feature!
3. Gyms
Most gyms will have a scale for public use in the locker rooms or in the bathrooms.
If you have a gym membership, take advantage of this convenient feature. But even if you don’t, you can probably still do it on a case-by-case basis.
You can simply go into the gym and request a free tour prior to applying for membership. Most of the big-chain gyms shouldn’t have a problem obliging.
Also, keep in mind that if you live in a community with an HOA, you might already have access to a gym as a part of your monthly association fee.
Check with the clubhouse or with the management and see if you have access to their facilities. There will most likely be a scale you can use there free of charge.
Another avenue to explore is within the benefits package of your employer. Oftentimes your employer will either have their own gym where you can likely weigh yourself.
Similarly, they might offer you free or discounted gym memberships to local establishments.
So even if you are unaware of any direct memberships you might have, there is a good chance you have access to one regardless with relative ease.
4. YMCA (or other community and fitness Centers)
Your local YMCA (or similar community centers) is committed to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Since there are over 2,700 locations, there is a decent chance that there is a YMCA facility close to you.
Obviously, you should be able to weigh yourself for free if you are a member of the Y. But the benefits of being a member don’t stop there.
The YMCA offers group exercise classes and personal training programs. They aim to provide physical fitness, education and social activities for a variety of interests and functional abilities.
Also, when you apply for membership at the YMCA, you are given a free fitness assessment with a certified personal trainer. This is a perfect way to consistently monitor your weight.
These details are specific to the YMCA. Although there is a good probability there will be a YMCA nearby, always check with your local establishment to ascertain their specific offerings. And keep in mind that there might be a similar fitness facility close to you with similar benefits and offerings.
5. Doctor’s office or Medical Center
Every time you go in for your annual check-up you will get weighed as a part of that assessment. So you’ll definitely get your weight measured at least once a year.
However, if you have a relationship with your primary care practitioner, I am sure you can request to pop in occasionally and get your weight checked for free.
Most practitioners will be incredibly happy and supportive to help you monitor your weight and help you achieve your overall health goals.
You can also check with your local medical centers, urgent care centers or hospitals. Although the request might seem a bit obscure, you’d be surprised at how willing people will be to help you out!
The scales at these locations will typically be very accurate ones, as they are calibrated frequently and tend to be of higher quality than the generic digital scales you can find at any retailer.
6. Hotels
There is a great solution to weigh yourself for free if you are on the road and on the go.
Check with each specific hotel you are staying in to see if they have free scales en suite. Some of the higher-end hotels might offer this amenity.
However, even if your hotel does not offer a scale for use in the actual room, most likely you can access a scale in the lobby, bathroom or in the fitness center.
Typically, the fitness centers on the property are open 24/7 (or at least for a large portion of the day) and they will likely have a free scale to use for those staying at the hotel.
Obviously, this isn’t a long-term solution for checking your weight, but it is definitely something to keep in mind when you are traveling and interested in seeing how much your weight has fluctuated on your vacation.
Although, that is probably a great way to put a damper on the excitement of traveling so you might not be too excited about this option.
7. Weight-Loss Groups
Joining a weight-loss group is probably one of the best decisions you can make if you find it difficult to break past that weight-loss plateau.
Of course, getting your weight monitored frequently will help. But there are a myriad more potential advantages of taking part in these groups.
Weight-loss groups provide accountability and social support. Knowing that you will have regular meetings with like-minded individuals will motivate you to be consistent in making healthy decisions on a daily basis.
The sense of camaraderie will give encouragement on difficult days and exuberance on celebratory days!
The structured approach of weight-loss groups will provide you with educational resources and shared strategies to maintain consistent weight loss. Another added benefit is progress tracking.
Before joining a weight-loss group, be sure to do your research to find a perfect alignment to your preferences.
Some support groups to consider include Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, or other groups sponsored by health clinics or local practitioners.
Also, you can research virtual support groups, however, that will not come with the added benefit of free use of scale.
8. Family or Friend’s House
If you have someone nearby who is willing to let you come over to weigh yourself, consider yourself fortunate!
This is a great idea to use, but you can make it even more fun by creating a friendly weight-loss competition. If you have family, friends or neighbors who are interested in losing weight with you, then make a little wager out of it.
Create a daily wellness challenge, where you perform daily specific wellness-related activities to promote overall health. See who can lose the highest percentage of weight over a certain timeframe.
Add a little monetary element to it, too. Wager, say, ten dollars per person to compete with the winner and runner-ups taking a percentage of the pot.
This is essentially creating your very own weight-loss group with those whom you love and trust.
Perhaps this is a less intimidating scenario to a formal weight-loss group. But, in doing so, you will likely have access to a scale at regular intervals for free.
9. Community Health Fairs
Community Health Fairs are a good option to not only get your weight checked for free, but it is also great for supporting overall health and wellness.
Check with your local health leaders or local healthcare schools, because oftentimes they will offer free clinics periodically throughout the year.
Doing events like these helps students get practice triaging patients and taking vitals all the while also providing a valuable service to the general public.
Some local community fairs will offer free screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and/or BMI. These screenings will almost certainly include a weight reading as a part of their assessment.
As long as you are okay with students performing these basic functions under the supervision of their professors, then this is a terrific idea for you to be on the lookout for.
Furthermore, these screenings will also provide you with an abundant source of health information, most likely including information on hypertension, diabetes and dietary management, all of which will also benefit you on your weight-loss journey.
10. Miscellaneous Online Options
If you are okay with getting a used scale for your personal use, then this might be something to consider. Several websites offer free items that people are trying to have taken off their hands.
Websites like Freecycle or Facebook Marketplace might have bathroom scales in their listings. Other options include Offer Up or Goodwill will likely have scales at hugely discounted rates.
Also, check the benefit listings of your insurance policy online. There might be some provision where your insurance will subsidize the cost of a scale and have it sent directly to your home.
Again, this may not be a free option, but it will be a greatly discounted rate than what you might find at your generic retailer.
Summary
Weighing yourself when you do not own a scale at home can feel a little complicated, but with this list, you are sure to find a few options.
Be sure to keep a lookout for more places. You’d be surprised where else you’ll find a free scale- it’s often where you least expect it!
