MFP exercise calories..

KaylaKilgore

I currently don't have anything to actually track workouts so I thought I'd check the estimated ones out. They seem to be a bit on the high side.. does anyone use the MFP estimated exercise calories?

DancingMoosie

They seem fairly accurate when my stats are input correctly. I've compared them to other calculators(like running ahead, treadmill, hr, and other online calculators) and they seem similar. Make sure you update your weight regularly and don't accidentally put your activity level too high.

sijomial

Some will be fairly accurate, some may be low, some may be high, some appear to be comically high.
Individual experience will differ greatly just from which selection of exercises makes your personal routine. What exercises in particular are you doing?

To answer your question directly I use some database entries for some of my exercise and use other methods for different activities. Some of those other methods (such as phone apps or heart rate monitors) aren't particularly accurate either - doesn't prevent me from accurately controlling my weight. Consistency is more important.

Lot's of people advocate cutting a percentage which personally I think is poor advice - especially without knowing your routine - the whole database clearly isn't out by one fixed percentage.

NorthCascades

I don't use MFP's estimates for anything, but it isn't as much a matter of trust as convenience. I have a GPS watch that tracks all the types of exercise I do. And it syncs them to MFP. When the data syncs, the calories come over from my Garmin. So MFP never gets a chance.

MFP's estimates are consistently about 2x reality for cycling, but I think they were pretty close when it came to walking.