Fitbit Users

Join

How to account for a weight vest during workouts?

CoachJen71
CoachJen71 Posts: 1,200 Member
edited April 2016 in Social Groups
I am looking at a 20lb vest to challenge myself with in my hiking training (step work, squats, lunges, treadmill, and elliptical.)

How do I account for this with Fitbit? Don't want to accidentally gain weight from giving the vest too much credit! LOL

Replies

  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    You didn't mention what Fitbit model, which is really needed on any discussions about steps or calories.

    If HR-based model - doesn't matter since calories is based on HR and that'll be increased if you keep the same pace.

    If step-based model it'll be inaccurate since it's doing the math thinking you are X weight when you are really Y weight.
    It should think you are going faster/farther than reality.
    Now, does that calorie burn for that inflated pace happen to match the real increased calorie burn you are causing?

    If you can get accurate distance for the walking stuff, you'll know the time, so you have the pace now - you can get a good estimate on calorie burn for the increased weight.
    http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/WalkRunMETs.html

    This doesn't help the other activities. For elliptical, if a nicer expensive machine, just put in higher weight and it's estimate would actually be best. It knows exactly what watts you expended, and that translates to calories very nicely.
  • CoachJen71
    CoachJen71 Posts: 1,200 Member
    edited April 2016
    Whoops, it's the Charge HR. :) Thanks for the info! I haven't had the elliptical long. Will have to check and see if I can change stats on it. (No book with it, tho, as it is secondhand.)
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    So the HR will increase correctly for carrying extra weight - unless you slow down to compensate for it.
    Therefore calories will increase correctly.

    Now - HR-based calorie burn isn't valid for non-steady state non-aerobic stuff like the resistance stuff you mention.

    But even if it's say 50% off on calorie burn - how much time you talking about doing the lunges & squats?
    Probably won't matter anyway in the big picture.
  • CoachJen71
    CoachJen71 Posts: 1,200 Member
    Yeah, I figured the resistance stuff would be negligible, but if I did a long walk with it, it would matter more.

Categories