What's the best way to calculate calories burned?

tashspring68

I've been using My Fitness Pal to work out how many calories I've burned for a few months, and recently started using Map My Ride for my bicycle rides, which is my main form of exercise.

However, a lot of cyclists seem to think that the calorie estimations given by Map My Ride are extremely inaccurate.

So I started looking in to fitness trackers and was leaning toward a Fitbit Surge, but I am new to counting calories burned and there is so much conflicting info out there about which trackers are accurate.

I am now helplessly confused and would appreciate input. My main exercise is cycling, and I also do some running (treadmill), kayaking and boxing.

jemhh

I would look at 3-4 different apps/websites to get an estimate and then make my best guess. Use that for 4 weeks and then adjust up/down based on results.

ValerieMartini2Olives

Heart rate monitor

RoxieDawn

Wrist HR's are not very accurate.

And for that matter, you will never get exacts even using a chest HR either, but somewhat close.

I have a vivosmart with soft chest strap but I am an outdoor runner and during frigid weather, indoor runner.. Hoping that cyclist will post what they do.

You can try to use the 3 - 4 app thing. Before I got my Charge or Vivosmart I used online calculators and in my case the actual cardio machine computer I was using at the time to get an approximate.

Nuke_64

A heart rate monitor (chest strap style) would be the best and by itself costs less than $50. You can pair it with a watch, bike computer, or a smart phone using apps like Endomondo, Strava and others. (I like Endomondo and it automatically updates MFP). Even with that, you will have monitor your expected weight loss vs actual and adjust.

ScubaSteve1962

I'm not familiar with cycling, here's something that may help you out

http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/collections/cycling-computers

sijomial

If best equals most accurate then it's going to be expensive. Either use a power meter or a properly calibrated HRM (but get your VO2 max and max HR tested).

If best equals most convenient and free then use something like Strava but accept calorie counts are a very rough guide.

For all round use with your variety of cardio activities then a basic HRM is fine (good chance it won't be particularly accurate but would question if it really has to be).

Personally I use a Garmin Edge but that's for really for navigation, tracking and cadence rather than calories. Garmin for me underestimates calories but again it doesn't really matter that much.

As long as you adjust your intake according to actual results over time exercise calorie accuracy isn't really that crucial.

tashspring68

Thank you all for your input!!

For those suggesting chest strap HRMs - which apps would you suggest pairing them with so that you can see your results. I see Endomondo and Strava have already been suggested - any others that are recommended?