Accuracy of MFP caloried burned

Erica9903

When I enter my exercise and amount of time I spend doing them the calories burned seem quite high. However, when I'm working out at the gym I feel that the calories the machines say burned are too low. What's your thoughts?? Do you find MFP to be accurate (within reason) to actual calories burned in a workout??

Thanks!!

MeliciousMelis

I think MFP over estimates. When I work out on the elliptical, I enter in my weight and age. For 35 minutes, I average about 350-ish calories burned (varies with intensity).

MFP would give me 500+ calories burned....leading to extra calories to eat back, that I don't really need.

Sammyk50

No. lol Mfp wrong. And machines lie! Hrm( heart rate monitor) that's the only way to really know. Learned it the hard way!

Nysie5

i go by the machines, so long as its got my heart rate going to get an accurate number..

crystal_sapphire

MFP over estimates IMO. It's why I only eat back 1/2 my exercise calories.

Gotta buy that HRM, but I don't have the funds at the moment

tigerblue

My HRM says very close to what MFP says. In fact, MFP is slightly lower than what my HRM says that I burn, but it is definitely in the ballpark. The machines at the gym where I go have a number that is much higher than my HRM. Nearly got me in trouble over the holidays!

So I guess it is different for each individual. I'm so glad I got a HRM.

Sheriemae

Purchasing a heart rate monitor would be a good idea.

dhutt2011

I was wondering the same thing and decided to get a HRM monitor.
The HRM monitor is great if you are doing cardio with no resistance to the workout like walking or running on a treadmill. But, for the eliptical it said I burned 350 calories for 47 minutes of workout when the machine said 621 calories burned. I went with the machine because it registers the resistance and includes it in the calories burned. And it was accurate on my heart rate as my monitor was.
The HRM that I bought doesn't ask to enter any kind of weight resistance (and I don't think any of them do).

That's my two cents on this topic.
Hope that helps!

BirdsofaFeather

It's strange because I noticed it the other way, too. I do 60 minutes of yoga and it kicks my butt! My arms are shaking when I'm through and I always feel it the next day...However, MFP only gives me 198 calories burned for it...NOWAY!

But when I play 30 minutes of boxing on my Wii system...I burn 268 calories and my legs aren't moving an inch. That can't be right either.

Erica9903

Thanks! I actually bought a HRM on my lunch today but I'm still at work so obviously I haven't had a chance to test it out. I was mainly asking for opinions because I started to think that it may not have been worth spending the money on. But I guess by the response I made the right move. I do use the elliptical on the weight loss program where I enter my weight and age and there are levels where there is resistance in that program. Thanks again to each of you for the feedback. It's much appreciated :flowerforyou:

neenie1

I live by my Polar HRM!! You have to remember to change you weight as you drop weight or it's not accurate. MFP and my treadmill estimates are way off from my HRM. They are worth the investment!!!