MFP exercise tracker - how precise is it?

maaaasha

I've read that the MFP calories burned tracker from exercising should be "cut in half" realistically. So if it says you've burned 200 cals running - consider it 100. Is this true?

cwolfman13

it depends, some entries are more accurate than others. your best bet is to compare it to several other sources, including numerous formulas for various activities...but keeping in mind that everything is just estimation.

glimmersilver

Most of the MFP calorie figures are based on this reference: https://sites.google.com/site/compendiumofphysicalactivities/home If you go through it, you'll get some sense of how the calories are estimated. It is obviously based on some research on actual calories burned by different people doing different things, but it depends on the person, and there are subjective assessments of how hard you are working, and so on.

I actually find that the estimates from MFP (or that compendium site) are a lot lower than what the machines at the gym say. I think the machines at my gym in particular are crazy high!

maaaasha

Thank you! I did check a few sources, it's harder when my run isn't consistent - I tend to reduce the speed then increase it on the treadmill.

cwolfman13 wrote: »

it depends, some entries are more accurate than others. your best bet is to compare it to several other sources, including numerous formulas for various activities...but keeping in mind that everything is just estimation.

maaaasha

glimmersilver wrote: »

Most of the MFP calorie figures are based on this reference: https://sites.google.com/site/compendiumofphysicalactivities/home If you go through it, you'll get some sense of how the calories are estimated. It is obviously based on some research on actual calories burned by different people doing different things, but it depends on the person, and there are subjective assessments of how hard you are working, and so on.

I actually find that the estimates from MFP (or that compendium site) are a lot lower than what the machines at the gym say. I think the machines at my gym in particular are crazy high!

Yup my treadmill told me I burned almost 300 cals. And I doubt I did considering my speed!

macgurlnet

I'd have to look into this a bit to be more certain, but I recall reading that treadmills include your BMR for the calories burned that they report.

Are you able to enter in your height, age, gender, etc on the treadmill? That helps give a more accurate number. I would still do 50%-75% of the calories burned of the lower number (so if MFP showed 200, treadmill 300, use the 200 as your number to draw from), and do that consistently for 4 weeks, then evaluate how you're feeling and how your weight loss is going.

If you find you're more hungry than expected and/or losing faster, you can eat back more calories.

~Lyssa

maaaasha

macgurlnet wrote: »

I'd have to look into this a bit to be more certain, but I recall reading that treadmills include your BMR for the calories burned that they report.

Are you able to enter in your height, age, gender, etc on the treadmill? That helps give a more accurate number. I would still do 50%-75% of the calories burned of the lower number (so if MFP showed 200, treadmill 300, use the 200 as your number to draw from), and do that consistently for 4 weeks, then evaluate how you're feeling and how your weight loss is going.

If you find you're more hungry than expected and/or losing faster, you can eat back more calories.

~Lyssa

Thanks for the advice Lyssa! The treadmill asks for my height/weight/gender. I just wasn't as confident going with its stats. It probably is just better to lowball it as you suggest and see where I am in 4 weeks.

robertw486

I stay away from the MFP generated numbers, and find apps or formulas that are better accepted. Though the MFP database is close for some the gaps in speeds and such make for some strange estimates at times. For certain activities like elliptical, I have no idea where they get the number.

For running the following formula is based on some testing and will give a good ballpark net calorie burn.

.63 x weight in pounds x miles run

runnersworld.com/weight-loss/how-many-calories-are-you-really-burning

It's worth noting that for slower paces, that might be slightly off, and will vary with stride.

paulandrachelk

When I first was working Bowflex and doing yoga, I took about 50% of MFP. Since I have progressed and am noticeably working harder I take about 75%.

fiddletime

If I cut a third of my calories that my treadmill or bike say I burned, then I'm usually very close to my HRM.