shall i read the calories from the exercise machine or MFP?

jadejo63

i have an exercise bike but they show different readings, which one is likely to be more accurate?

Eric_DeCastro

I'm not sure I would trust the machine unless it has a constant contact with your pulse. I would use a HRM to get calories burned data. that's what I use.

KarenJanine

What were the readings? And did you program your height/age/weight in the machine? Exercise machine readings are often highly inflated.

TeaBea

i have an exercise bike but they show different readings, which one is likely to be more accurate?

Calorie burn is dependent upon height, weight, age, gender, exertion level and more...........do you plug any of this information into your exercise bike?

MFP uses pretty generic estimates.....the lowest reading is likely closer. Many MFP users eat back 60% of exercise calories to make up for inaccuracies.

A heart rate monitor (with a chest strap) would be helpful for cardio workouts.

IWILLBelieveAchieveInspire

I don't know about mfp because i don't log my exercise here but I do know that the exercise equipment at our gym grossly overestimates calories burned. I know this because i purchased a HRM and compared the two. The machine overestimated my calories by almost double. So I agree..HRM is the way to go if you really want a more accurate idea of how much you are burning.

ME0172

One poster said their fitness machines overestimate their calorie burn, but the machines I use always underestimate mine. I use a heart rate monitor. That's going to be more accurate than the machine or MFP because both are estimates. I guess one will argue a heart rate monitor is also an estimate but it's more accurate because it tracks your specifics and your heart rate for your entire workout so a HRM is more accurate than anything. I'd recommend investing in a HRM.