Exercise entry issues

MsDaneen2015

Trying to account for my workout regiments which is a cardio / barbell lifting class.When I search for the exercise, it doesn't come up. Anyone else have this problem? I have also search the database and while I am able to locate most of the movements, I cant "link" it to my diary. Seems like you should be able to do that...not happy with this app if I cant even log in my workout activities.

5stringjeff

Try using "Circuit training, resistance." It might not be the best fit but it should give you a decent approximation.

WendyLaubach

When you get the message that it can't find an activity you're searching for, it also gives you the option to create one for the database, which from then on will be listed in your favorites. You can type in whatever calories you've calculated by other means. There are a number of good websites with calculators for all kinds of activity. In general, though, this site tends to distinguish sharply between strength training and cardio. Not sure why, since both burn calories.

SueInAz

Keep in mind that the calories MFP calculates for your cardio sessions, even if they are in its database can by wildly off. The only calorie counts I trust are the walking and running ones because they come in different speeds which equates to level of effort. And it's the level of effort that's the problem for the rest of them.

Say you choose "Circuit training, resistance" as suggested above and as I'd probably suggest. No two days are the same in the gym. Today you're well-rested and ate a good lunch and gave it 100% during your class. Thursday you didn't sleep well, skipped lunch and are feeling a bit tired so your level of effort was lower. Both of those entries in your diary are going to have the same calories burned but did you really burn the same number of calories each day? Probably not. Now add in the fact that those calorie calculations are based on some random person's circuit training session which might be very different from what you are doing and their calorie burn might not be very close to what you're doing anyway.

I'd strongly suggest that you get a heart rate monitor and use it to calculate your calories burned in a custom entry. While nothing is 100% accurate your individualized results calculated by a heart rate monitor which knows your height, weight and exactly how hard you worked out is going to be more accurate than anything else.

SezxyStef

SueInAz wrote: »

Keep in mind that the calories MFP calculates for your cardio sessions, even if they are in its database can by wildly off. The only calorie counts I trust are the walking and running ones because they come in different speeds which equates to level of effort. And it's the level of effort that's the problem for the rest of them.

Say you choose "Circuit training, resistance" as suggested above and as I'd probably suggest. No two days are the same in the gym. Today you're well-rested and ate a good lunch and gave it 100% during your class. Thursday you didn't sleep well, skipped lunch and are feeling a bit tired so your level of effort was lower. Both of those entries in your diary are going to have the same calories burned but did you really burn the same number of calories each day? Probably not. Now add in the fact that those calorie calculations are based on some random person's circuit training session which might be very different from what you are doing and their calorie burn might not be very close to what you're doing anyway.

I'd strongly suggest that you get a heart rate monitor and use it to calculate your calories burned in a custom entry. While nothing is 100% accurate your individualized results calculated by a heart rate monitor which knows your height, weight and exactly how hard you worked out is going to be more accurate than anything else.

HRM with a chest strap is only good for steady state cardio....when used in conjunction with resistance training it can go way over as well.

SueInAz

SezxyStef wrote: »

SueInAz wrote: »

Keep in mind that the calories MFP calculates for your cardio sessions, even if they are in its database can by wildly off. The only calorie counts I trust are the walking and running ones because they come in different speeds which equates to level of effort. And it's the level of effort that's the problem for the rest of them.

Say you choose "Circuit training, resistance" as suggested above and as I'd probably suggest. No two days are the same in the gym. Today you're well-rested and ate a good lunch and gave it 100% during your class. Thursday you didn't sleep well, skipped lunch and are feeling a bit tired so your level of effort was lower. Both of those entries in your diary are going to have the same calories burned but did you really burn the same number of calories each day? Probably not. Now add in the fact that those calorie calculations are based on some random person's circuit training session which might be very different from what you are doing and their calorie burn might not be very close to what you're doing anyway.

I'd strongly suggest that you get a heart rate monitor and use it to calculate your calories burned in a custom entry. While nothing is 100% accurate your individualized results calculated by a heart rate monitor which knows your height, weight and exactly how hard you worked out is going to be more accurate than anything else.

HRM with a chest strap is only good for steady state cardio....when used in conjunction with resistance training it can go way over as well.

Agreed which is why I said nothing is 100% accurate. The OP is attending a cardio class with barbells which should be fairly steady state and anything is better than going by MFP's entries.

SezxyStef

SueInAz wrote: »

SezxyStef wrote: »

SueInAz wrote: »

Keep in mind that the calories MFP calculates for your cardio sessions, even if they are in its database can by wildly off. The only calorie counts I trust are the walking and running ones because they come in different speeds which equates to level of effort. And it's the level of effort that's the problem for the rest of them.

Say you choose "Circuit training, resistance" as suggested above and as I'd probably suggest. No two days are the same in the gym. Today you're well-rested and ate a good lunch and gave it 100% during your class. Thursday you didn't sleep well, skipped lunch and are feeling a bit tired so your level of effort was lower. Both of those entries in your diary are going to have the same calories burned but did you really burn the same number of calories each day? Probably not. Now add in the fact that those calorie calculations are based on some random person's circuit training session which might be very different from what you are doing and their calorie burn might not be very close to what you're doing anyway.

I'd strongly suggest that you get a heart rate monitor and use it to calculate your calories burned in a custom entry. While nothing is 100% accurate your individualized results calculated by a heart rate monitor which knows your height, weight and exactly how hard you worked out is going to be more accurate than anything else.

HRM with a chest strap is only good for steady state cardio....when used in conjunction with resistance training it can go way over as well.

Agreed which is why I said nothing is 100% accurate. The OP is attending a cardio class with barbells which should be fairly steady state and anything is better than going by MFP's entries.

cardio class with barbells is exactly where you don't want a HRM...resistance training.

MsDaneen2015

Thanks for all the comments and advice! I am awaiting my fitbit (which should be arriving today), and will adjust my entries for previous days as to add an "average". I understand nothing is 100% accurate, but needed something even remotely close to enter. Thanks so much!!!! as far as effort goes, I feel like my hear is racing more with the cardio, and less with the barbell lifting, but Im sweating more when lifting lol is that odd?