Accurate calorie burn readings from workout machines

HangoverSquare

Are there any tricks to getting an accurate number of how many calories I burn on a treadmill and elliptical machine? I've been using the numbers that the machines give me, but have read that these can significantly inaccurate. Therefore, I'm not going to bother using these numbers anymore.

What's the best way of logging a legitimate number in MyFitnessPal?

Jruzer

In my (limited) experience, treadmills are fairly accurate if you give them your weight and don't hold on to the rails. Ellipticals tend to be much worse - the one I use overestimates by a factor of 2!

The general advice that is given is to get a good quality heart rate monitor, learn to use it properly, and use that for your calorie burn. And even then recognize that it is only an estimate that could be off. See what your weight does over the long term and adjust as needed.

(NB: Many people suggest eating only half of the exercise calories. I personally disagree with this and think one will do much better making good, conservative estimates.)

AmazonMayan

I wouldn't trust the machine numbers at all. I've seen people logging 1000+ calories burned in 30 minutes on the elliptical. I always get a mental picture of them moving so fast they are a blur....cuz no way 1000 or even half that lol

I agree with a HRM for sustained cardio. I also double checked on other sites (Google because I've used different ones to compare) what the burn should be and then log. Over a few weeks time I see if my weight loss slows down, then estimated exercise calories burned are too high and if loss speeds up then exercise estimates too low.