Tech advice on HRMs and energy expenditure

DebinMelbourne

Does anyone know if the energy expenditure reading on HRMs includes energy expenditure from BMR? I understand how inaccurate energy expenditure is based on heart rate alone, as it is just an algorithm. I have a relatively high-end chest strap Suunto HRM.

It just occurred to me today when I was monitoring myself during a slow Pilates class and my energy expenditure was 210 cals for an hour. I would crank through at least 50 cals laying around, so is the 210 over and above the 50 cals for just being alive?

Ordinarily I wouldn't be so pedantic about this (I always underestimate expenditure and overestimate intake to be safe), but I'm almost at my goal weight, and I've hit a plateau over the past month.

MeanderingMammal

It depends on the model, it should say in the manual.

Notwithstanding that I can see that it'd be woefully inaccurate for something like pilates. As HR is used as a proxy for calorie expenditure that depends on HR actually registering a significant change...