Unreliable Calorie Burn?

Abi198111
Abi198111 Posts: 76 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Can anyone give me some advice on the most reliable way to know how many calories I've burned? I've been doing fasted cardio on my exercise bike every day for the last week, I started at 30 mins moderate to vigorous effort and have progressed to 50 mins moderate to vigorous effort. My bike has a hrm built in to the handle bars and on a 30 min workout tells me I've burned about 150 cals. When I input the exercise in to the mfp app, it calculates it to be much higher (250 cals) :huh: . I'm just wondering which one I should trust? The mfp app knows my height, weight and age etc whereas the bike doesn't, i think it just gives a general average (if there is such a thing!) but does fluctuate depending on how fast you pedal. I did have a wristwatch with a hrm but it broke, do you think I should invest in another one to get the most accurate result? Thanks in advance :smile:

Replies

  • jigsaw_me
    jigsaw_me Posts: 616 Member
    A more reliable method (than machines and MFP / other calorie counter websites) is definitely a HRM - so yes, if it was me, I'ld be replacing the one the broke.
  • tuckerrj
    tuckerrj Posts: 1,453 Member
    I used a HRM for a while and it came close to what my elliptical displayed when I input my age & weight. Both calculated my calorie burn to be about 60% of what the MFP did. So when in doubt, I'd suggest starting with the lower calculated burn.
  • abadvat
    abadvat Posts: 1,241 Member
    HRM definitely. MFP estimates based on BMI but does not ake into consideration fitness levels - heart rate etc...
  • Abi198111
    Abi198111 Posts: 76 Member
    I used a HRM for a while and it came close to what my elliptical displayed when I input my age & weight. Both calculated my calorie burn to be about 60% of what the MFP did. So when in doubt, I'd suggest starting with the lower calculated burn.

    Thanks, I have been using the lower figure just to be on the safe side so until I replace my old broken HRM I'll just keep doing this.

    Does anyone know why mfp gives such a high number?
  • Abi198111
    Abi198111 Posts: 76 Member
    HRM definitely. MFP estimates based on BMI but does not ake into consideration fitness levels - heart rate etc...

    Which explains why the numbers are so different... Thanks
  • Greytfish
    Greytfish Posts: 810
    HRM definitely. MFP estimates based on BMI but does not ake into consideration fitness levels - heart rate etc...

    This.
  • abadvat
    abadvat Posts: 1,241 Member
    Just like any new trend bracelet that tell you how much you walk, burn, sleep, think, poop and god only knows what...
    Unless there is a heart reader it is all vague estimations based on BMI.

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