Elliptical with an incline? How do I log this?

PearlAng
PearlAng Posts: 681 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I spend time on the elliptical at the gym, which asks for my weight and age. I'm 96 lbs and 18 years old. I use it for anywhere from 40-60 mins daily and I usually burn anywhere from 410-600 calories, according to the machine. When I look at my pace, I'm usually around a 7 min mile, also according to the machine. And on here, I'll log it as "running, (insert mph here)" according to the calorie burn on the machine, and usually the time input into here tells me I burn a bit more than the machine tells me I do.

I do intervals, switching from a 7 to a 9 resistance every 15 minutes.

So the question is, is the machine accurate? Am I really burning less, but MFP thinks I'm burning more because I log it as running? I know ellipticals are different than running, but usually my pace I just a bit faster on the elliptical than it is when I'm running outdoors

Should I keep logging as I am?

Replies

  • CA_Underdog
    CA_Underdog Posts: 733 Member
    I suspect a heart rate monitor would be most accurate at measuring your burn, the machine moderately accurate, and MyFitnessPal the least accurate since it has far less information to work from.

    If you only eat back 75% of your calories, you're covered in any event, yes?
  • PearlAng
    PearlAng Posts: 681 Member
    I suspect a heart rate monitor would be most accurate at measuring your burn, the machine moderately accurate, and MyFitnessPal the least accurate since it has far less information to work from.

    If you only eat back 75% of your calories, you're covered in any event, yes?

    Good point, and thank you for your reply! I got the nike+ insert as a Christmas gift, but it is not accurate when on the elliptical/ lifting weights (ie saying I'm going 0.00 mph).

    I've been considering buying a HRM, maybe I'll treat myself to one :)

Categories