Walking- Question

Dannilee2013
Dannilee2013 Posts: 37 Member
edited November 19 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi

Me and my husband often walk together, we both wear fitbits (all details accurate, including stride length).

Our fitits record the exact same distance but it say that my husband is burning more calories than me even though his heart rate never gets as high as mine.

Can anyone explain the reason for this?

Thanks
D

Replies

  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    Height and weight. (I'm not sure if FitBit accounts for height, but I'll assume that it does seeing as they're pricey gadgets).

    People who weigh more and are taller will burn more calories than those who are lighter and smaller. That's just how it is.
  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    Annoying isn't it? My husband and I run together. I'm 5'4 and 130lb, he is 6'4 and 194lb. He burns around 60% more than I do! It is because he moved more weight/height around the run than I did.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    edited June 2015
    Men tend to have more lean muscle mass than women do, so a 160 lb man will tend to burn more calories than a 160 lb woman. If he weighs more than you, that is also a major factor because the more weight you are moving against gravity, the more you burn.
  • katkins3
    katkins3 Posts: 1,359 Member
    That.
    I felt the same disappointment when my husband and I compared Fitbit numbers. If you enjoy walking together, it's best to not make comparisons.
    It's the same thing with food. Men frequently burn more calories in a day than a spouse, due to a difference in size, muscle mass and activity level.
    Don't let comparisons get in the way of traveling to your fitness goals together. It's best to look at your own progress.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Me and my husband often walk together, we both wear fitbits (all details accurate, including stride length).

    Our fitits record the exact same distance but it say that my husband is burning more calories than me even though his heart rate never gets as high as mine.

    Your Fitbit burn is TDEE—the number of calories to maintain your current weight. It varies according to sex, age, height & weight.

    You can learn more in the Fitbit Users group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/1290-fitbit-users
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