When most people step on a traditional scale, they see a single number: total body weight. While simple, this measurement leaves out crucial details about what’s really happening inside the body.
At Clay Health & Care, we take a more advanced approach. Every member has access to a monthly Body Composition Scan (InBody), which is a medical-grade tool that analyzes full-body composition, not just weight. This measurement is more than just data collection; it transforms how we design, track, and adjust each member’s care plan.
Why a scale falls short
A standard scale measures only weight, which can be misleading:
- No distinction between fat and muscle → Losing muscle can show up as “weight loss,” even though it’s detrimental for long-term health.
- Doesn’t reflect hydration status → Fluctuations in water retention can make it look like progress (or regression) when nothing meaningful has changed.
- Masks hidden risks → Two people with the same weight may have completely different health profiles.
Example:
| Person | Weight | Fat % | Muscle Mass | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 180 lbs | 20% | 80 lbs | Low |
| B | 180 lbs | 35% | 65 lbs | High |
What a Body Composition scan reveals
Unlike a scale, InBody provides 360-degree snapshot of your body:
- Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM): The engine for metabolism, strength, and longevity.
- Body Fat Percentage: More predictive of health risk than weight alone.
- Visceral Fat Levels: Identifies dangerous fat around organs linked to inflammation and disease.
- Segmental Lean Analysis: Highlights muscle imbalances (right vs. left side, upper vs. lower body).
- Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): Shows how many calories your body burns at rest.
This data allows us to answer the real questions:
Are you losing fat or muscle?
Are you building metabolic health or just chasing a smaller number on the scale?
Why we scan and measure monthly
- Accountability: Numbers don’t lie—patients stay engaged by tracking progress beyond weight.
- Precision Adjustments: Nutrition, exercise, supplement, and recovery plans can be fine-tuned in real time.
- Trend Tracking: Identifies patterns over time instead of chasing day-to-day fluctuations.
- Motivation: Seeing muscle growth or fat reduction, sometimes invisible on a regular scale, keeps members motivated.
One of my favorite parts of coaching: sitting down each month, reviewing Body Composition data, and turning numbers into clear next steps that actually fit a client’s life.
How our approach is different
- Personalized Plans: Each member’s training, nutrition, and recovery strategy is built around their unique body composition.
- Data-Driven Adjustments: We don’t guess, we measure and adapt.
- Longevity Focus: Protecting muscle and reducing visceral fat directly supports healthspan and independence as members age.
Why this matters in the age of GLP-1 Medications
With the rise of GLP-1 medications for weight management, tracking body composition is more important than ever. These drugs can lead to rapid weight loss, but without monitoring, a significant portion of that loss can come from skeletal muscle mass (SMM). Protecting and preserving SMM is critical—not only for metabolism, but also for strength, mobility, and long-term health. Monthly InBody scans ensure that members using GLP-1 medications are losing fat in a healthy way while maintaining the muscle that supports healthy aging and overall function.
The Takeaway
Relying on weight alone is like judging a book by its cover, it misses the real story contained within. At Clay Health & Care, InBody scanning transforms your plan from a generic program into a precise roadmap for long-term health and performance.
That’s why we provide this tool as a member benefit and accountability measure, ensuring every plan evolves alongside your body’s actual needs.
Next time you think about progress, ask yourself: Am I just chasing a smaller number, or am I building a stronger, healthier future?
Author
Written by Andrew Browning, Coaching Director @ Clay Health & Care
Andrew Browning is a performance coach and educator with nearly two decades of experience in training, teaching, and behavior change. As Clay’s Coaching Director, he combines deep knowledge in exercise physiology, metabolic health, and recovery with a passion for helping people build sustainable habits that fuel performance at every level.