Calories Burned - HRM vs. other apps or tools

newlife6745

Hi, I'm trying to understand the calories burned concept using different tools. I currently use a Polar FT4 HRM and also trying the Endomondo tracker (which I like very much). I bought a Fitbit Flex but returned it for the Fitbit One. So, my question is why such a difference in calories burned on the HRM vs. the other tools. I try not to eat my calories back but it's confusing when
Looking at my stats. For example on my HRM I may have burned 291 calories but the other apps would show double that.

Any insight would be appreciated.

DavPul

before we discuss your plethora of calorie counting technology may we discuss why you are choosing to not eat your calories back?

jynxxxed

Nothing is 100%, but I'd trust your HRM over anything else. The other websites and apps just take your weight/height/etc and make an educated guess, whereas your HRM has your actual heart rate to help make a closer assumption.

Duck_Puddle

It may depend on what exercise you're doing. I run and the calorie burn is nearly identical between my Garmin (HRM), runkeeper, my bodymedia armband and what mfp spits out. Usually less than 10% difference. If I bike? Well the armband kinda sucks at measuring that, but the other stuff is usually pretty close. It's also going to matter how all these things are set up. Do they all know your height, weight, age, gender, vo2max and all the other stuff?

janinab75

Good question! I've often wondered the same thing. Thanks for asking!

DavPul

Nothing is 100%, but I'd trust your HRM over anything else. The other websites and apps just take your weight/height/etc and make an educated guess, whereas your HRM has your actual heart rate to help make a closer assumption.

what does your heart rate have to do with it?