Well that's disappointing - Garmin swim calories
sjaplo
Posts: 974 Member
750m breaststroke in 18:49 this morning and my Garmin Vivosmart HR gave me 31 calories burned. For the record - 5ft 9in - 170.5 lbs.........
I'm assuming it has something to do with the HR tracking as it had me at an ave of 73bbm
I'm assuming it has something to do with the HR tracking as it had me at an ave of 73bbm
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I cycled 7.6 miles after work in 29 min and it gave me 173
Ave hr 122.0 -
Breast stroke, well swimming for that matter is zero impact. 750 meters isn't much. Maybe that's why.0
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Did you actually look at the HR graph?
Why am I betting there were all kinds of drops to reading the HR.
Obviously the avgHR gives a major clue - inaccurate HR reading.
Ya - some stuff needs to be manually entered for better accuracy.
Like if you were lifting or doing intervals - inflated calorie burn because wrong use of HR formula for the anaerobic and/or non-steady state nature of the workout.
Try this, at least formula based on studies.
http://www.swimmingcalculator.com/swim_calories_calculator.php
Though me thrashing around attempting to do laps burns more than someone that really knows how effectively.
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750m breaststroke in 18:49 this morning and my Garmin Vivosmart HR gave me 31 calories burned. For the record - 5ft 9in - 170.5 lbs.........
I'm assuming it has something to do with the HR tracking as it had me at an ave of 73bbm
The VivoSmartHR isn't designed for swimming. The accelerometers are designed for step based movement and in the water the HR sensor won't be getting a solid reading. Water flowing between the sensor and your son will disrupt the sensing.
Fwiw my 735XT with HRM-Swim seems pretty solid, giving me 370 for a mile swim.3 -
Thanks all.
@haybales - your web link gives me 226 - also when you log your workout as "lap swimming" in Garmin connect - it won't show the hr graph. But I think I did notice that when it was recorded as basic.
@joenali - you need a new hat - you're talking through yours
@MeanderingMammal - good to know this is my first fitness device - I mainly run - but have decided to do a sprint tri in august.
I'm going to try tightening the band for better contact - other than that I'm just going to roll with whatever it gives me.
cheers!
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swimming doesn't burn that many calories - for note - I swam 3500yds yesterday and that was about 430cal (it took me 1hr 13min and had no more than about 30sec rests between main sets)0
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deannalfisher wrote: »swimming doesn't burn that many calories - for note - I swam 3500yds yesterday and that was about 430cal (it took me 1hr 13min and had no more than about 30sec rests between main sets)
That's what I was thinking - 227 cal this am for my run - 3.13 miles in 25:39 - ave hr 160 bbm. From a "perceived effort" point of view the run was a much more strenuous activity than the swim.0 -
Was this open water swimming or a pool? The VAHR doesn't work in open water and takes a bit of setup for the pool. Only downside to it I've found.0
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Tacklewasher wrote: »Was this open water swimming or a pool? The VAHR doesn't work in open water and takes a bit of setup for the pool. Only downside to it I've found.
Swimming pool.0 -
DC Rainmaker has a good review of the VAHR, and how to set it up for swimming as @Tacklewasher mentioned. (I know I keep discovering various things I need to "set up" with the VAHR prior to using for new activities) https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/05/garmin-vivoactivehr-review.html1
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The VivoActiveHR takes the VivoSmartHR and wraps a GPS receiver and some additional processing around it and gives it a different form factor.
What it does give is access to the Connect app platform.
However if you want to upgrade for a Tri I'd suggest something a bit more focused than the VAHR.
The legacy Forerunner 320XT or 910XT do multisport with the latter capable of pool swim tracking. With more budget you've got the 920XT or 735XT up to the 935, each of which do pool swimming to a similar level of sophistication. The main issue then becomes battery life, and the question of whether you'll be out for more than 12 hours or not.0 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »
However if you want to upgrade for a Tri I'd suggest something a bit more focused than the VAHR.
The legacy Forerunner 320XT or 910XT do multisport with the latter capable of pool swim tracking. With more budget you've got the 920XT or 735XT up to the 935, each of which do pool swimming to a similar level of sophistication. The main issue then becomes battery life, and the question of whether you'll be out for more than 12 hours or not.
Thanks - going to try the first one and see if I enjoy it. As it's a sprint tri - I figure about 2hrs ought do cover it.
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I'm 5'10'' and 160 lb. and MFP gives me 185 calories for a 15-minute breaststroke swim. I know that MFP overestimates calories, though.
Breast stroke is a lower calorie burn per hour than a faster stroke, like front crawl (i.e. "freestyle"). Also, be careful using breast stroke in your triathlon; the kick is strong and you can really bean someone.0 -
ValeriePlz wrote: »I'm 5'10'' and 160 lb. and MFP gives me 185 calories for a 15-minute breaststroke swim. I know that MFP overestimates calories, though.
Breast stroke is a lower calorie burn per hour than a faster stroke, like front crawl (i.e. "freestyle"). Also, be careful using breast stroke in your triathlon; the kick is strong and you can really bean someone.
Can't swim any other way and the swim portion takes place in a pool.0 -
ValeriePlz wrote: »I'm 5'10'' and 160 lb. and MFP gives me 185 calories for a 15-minute breaststroke swim. I know that MFP overestimates calories, though.
Breast stroke is a lower calorie burn per hour than a faster stroke, like front crawl (i.e. "freestyle"). Also, be careful using breast stroke in your triathlon; the kick is strong and you can really bean someone.
Actually no, the less efficient strokes are not lower calorie burn per time and equal distance.
They burn more, and usually force more lower body usage - which is bad setup for bike/run later.
But most people do them slower though unless truly training for that style, so may burn less per time, but also go less distance.
And the problem isn't that the MET's database that MFP uses like many other sites inflates calorie burn - but on many items there is no intensity level to it like that web link I gave.
So you have no idea if you are as intense as the entry is talking about.
You could be more, and burning more, then shown.2 -
deannalfisher wrote: »swimming doesn't burn that many calories - for note - I swam 3500yds yesterday and that was about 430cal (it took me 1hr 13min and had no more than about 30sec rests between main sets)
That's what I was thinking - 227 cal this am for my run - 3.13 miles in 25:39 - ave hr 160 bbm. From a "perceived effort" point of view the run was a much more strenuous activity than the swim.
It's not really possible to do PE on different workout types like that because in this case - gravity. And amount of muscles used, and size of those muscles.
And HR-based calorie burn formula can be really lacking if missing some key components.
Like if the Garmin is set on default HRmax figure of 220-age, then 160 avgHR could have been like 84% of HRmax if age of 30. That's just starting to be top of aerobic HR zone.
But if actual HRmax is say 180, that means your 160 was really 89% of HRmax - now past aerobic and probably at AT/LT line if not above.
Of course the latter would be bigger calorie burn, but if Garmin is using former info, you get less.
Not sure if your Garmin account allows changing HRmax for that device. I've got VO2max, but quick scan couldn't find HRmax though I'm sure I've seen it before.
Also have to pick your Activity Class correctly - or perhaps that device allows auto-setting based on number of workouts.1 -
ValeriePlz wrote: »I'm 5'10'' and 160 lb. and MFP gives me 185 calories for a 15-minute breaststroke swim. I know that MFP overestimates calories, though.
Breast stroke is a lower calorie burn per hour than a faster stroke, like front crawl (i.e. "freestyle"). Also, be careful using breast stroke in your triathlon; the kick is strong and you can really bean someone.
Can't swim any other way and the swim portion takes place in a pool.
people will still try to pass you in the pool - I just encourage you to be aware - a good friend of mine got kicked in the chest during her Ironman last year and had to pull out of the race because of it (heavily bruised ribs) and personally, I ended up with a concussion a couple years ago from someone kicking me during an open water swim0 -
I always thought swimming burned lots of calories. i always see my biggest results on holiday & I assumed that was because of all the swimming, now I'm just confused0
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ValeriePlz wrote: »I'm 5'10'' and 160 lb. and MFP gives me 185 calories for a 15-minute breaststroke swim. I know that MFP overestimates calories, though.
Breast stroke is a lower calorie burn per hour than a faster stroke, like front crawl (i.e. "freestyle"). Also, be careful using breast stroke in your triathlon; the kick is strong and you can really bean someone.
Can't swim any other way and the swim portion takes place in a pool.
If you are are doing a triathlon, pool or open water. You should consider learning how to swim freestyle. You're still going to get passed, you still might kick someone.0 -
Have you tried swimming without the HR monitor? I noticed the calorie burn is significantly higher on the Garmin when I don't use the strap.0
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ValeriePlz wrote: »I'm 5'10'' and 160 lb. and MFP gives me 185 calories for a 15-minute breaststroke swim. I know that MFP overestimates calories, though.
Breast stroke is a lower calorie burn per hour than a faster stroke, like front crawl (i.e. "freestyle"). Also, be careful using breast stroke in your triathlon; the kick is strong and you can really bean someone.
Can't swim any other way and the swim portion takes place in a pool.
If you are are doing a triathlon, pool or open water. You should consider learning how to swim freestyle. You're still going to get passed, you still might kick someone.
just to add, a mate of mine was kicked and it broke her foot. Breaststroke in close quarters = not good!
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Have you tried swimming without the HR monitor? I noticed the calorie burn is significantly higher on the Garmin when I don't use the strap.
Did Garmin change the frequency they use for sending HR - because it doesn't work through water, the range is very short, like HRM right in front of strap if it's already connected.0 -
I always thought swimming burned lots of calories. i always see my biggest results on holiday & I assumed that was because of all the swimming, now I'm just confused
It can like if you compare equal HR as a level of effort.
If you could maintain say 150 bpm for a 30 min swim, it would normally be a decent amount better calorie burn than same HR doing a run.
Because HRmax for swimming is usually decently less than running - so that 150 is higher % of HRmax for swimming than running - so bigger calorie burn.0 -
I use a Garmin 910 and yes swimming doesn't burn many calories. Here are some of my free style totals; 1725 yds. = 286 calories, 1900 yds. = 300 calories burned. This is basically with very little rest but I do stop at the wall and propel forward. I figure I swim to slow to stop and rest..lol. I'm training for a half distance triathlon and of all the disciplines swimming burns the least calories but makes me the hungriest
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ValeriePlz wrote: »I'm 5'10'' and 160 lb. and MFP gives me 185 calories for a 15-minute breaststroke swim. I know that MFP overestimates calories, though.
Breast stroke is a lower calorie burn per hour than a faster stroke, like front crawl (i.e. "freestyle"). Also, be careful using breast stroke in your triathlon; the kick is strong and you can really bean someone.
Can't swim any other way and the swim portion takes place in a pool.
If you are are doing a triathlon, pool or open water. You should consider learning how to swim freestyle. You're still going to get passed, you still might kick someone.
just to add, a mate of mine was kicked and it broke her foot. Breaststroke in close quarters = not good!
A tip: put your goggles on first, then the swim cap. The goggle strap will then be under the cap and you won't lose them if you get kicked in the face.
I never did a tri with a pool swim so I have no specific advice for that, though.0 -
I use a Garmin 910 and yes swimming doesn't burn many calories. Here are some of my free style totals; 1725 yds. = 286 calories, 1900 yds. = 300 calories burned. This is basically with very little rest but I do stop at the wall and propel forward. I figure I swim to slow to stop and rest..lol. I'm training for a half distance triathlon and of all the disciplines swimming burns the least calories but makes me the hungriest
which half are you doing?
the swimgry is a legit thing - scientifically, its because water temp is typically colder than your body temp, so your body burns more energy trying to stay warm (than it actually burns from the workout - or something like that)0 -
I'm signed up for Augusta 70.3 in September and can't wait!0
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Two things on the breast stroke and the tri - 1. I was concerned also, but asked someone who did the race last year and she did breast stroke. If I enjoy it, then I will get lessons and do freestyle for the next one. 2. It's a staggered start based on how long you think it'll take you to do the distance - so there should be minimal passing - except by me
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But the problem is that people don't know how to seed themselves for starts like this.Two things on the breast stroke and the tri - 1. I was concerned also, but asked someone who did the race last year and she did breast stroke. If I enjoy it, then I will get lessons and do freestyle for the next one. 2. It's a staggered start based on how long you think it'll take you to do the distance - so there should be minimal passing - except by me
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Your body burns what it burns. It doesn't care what your watch says0
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