We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

What’s the best way to calculate calories burned?

stfpa
stfpa Posts: 62 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Yesterday at the gym I walked on the treadmill at a speed of 3.5-4 mph at an incline of 10-15% (alternating) for an hour. I put my height and weight into the treadmill when I first started (153 lbs, 5’4) and it said I burned around 500 calories. That seems like way more than what it felt like. I put it into an online calculator and it gave me the same number. Does this sound right?

If not, what would it be closer to and what’s the best way to accurately calculate how many calories I burn?

Replies

  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    It's possibly close to correct since that is a very high incline to walk.
  • DoubleUbea
    DoubleUbea Posts: 1,115 Member
    I have done the same thing using various website, so I am going to say it is probably close to being accurate. The more information you can put into the treadmills computer/calculation the better. Put your hands on the heart rate sensor a few times as well so it gets your HR.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    Assuming that you weren't hanging on to the machine it's not completely out of the question.
  • robertw486
    robertw486 Posts: 2,468 Member
    That's a fairly steep incline, so not out of the question IMO. If it seemed too easy, you must walk on an incline quite a bit, or you're just in better shape than you think.

    I punched the numbers into an online calculator that is fairly close to what studies show for flat ground walking and running, and it actually spit out a higher number.
This discussion has been closed.