Calorie counting - Polar monitor vs. Cardio Machines?

WaltBarrett

I find consistently that the calories reported after a workout on cardio machines in my gym are significantly higher than the calories reported on my Polar heart rate monitor. Like 30% higher. I assume that any of this is just an approximation, but does anyone have an idea which (or neither?!) to treat as credible?
Thanks

schaapj2

Trust the heart rate monitor!

WifeMomDVM

Not sure - my hunch says polar since you can program in your weight and other stats. Also, I like to err on the side of caution. Better to overburn than underburn, right? :bigsmile:

SparkleShine

I would trust your Polar!

Christine1110

Does your Polar have a chest strap? If so, I would trust it. I have a Polar with a chest strap & also have a Bodybugg.....the polar I'm sure is more accurate.

jesseroyal

The machines are always quite a bit lower for me! i would go with the HRM regardless.

gp79

I've compared the treadmills to my Polar FT60. My FT60 links to the treadmill so the treadmill has my weight, age and the same heart rate as my Polar. What I've noticed is that in the beginning of my workout the treadmill is at times, almost 100 calories ahead of my HRM, however towards the end the treadmill is usually between 30 - 50 calories higher than my HRM.

I always use what my HRM is showing since i've calibrated it with the built in fitness test and entered my stats.

WaltBarrett

Do you have any clear idea how the Polar HRM calculates calories? My resting heart rate is artificially low because I'm on beta-blockers and I read somewhere that this skews things somehow. So I'm wondering if that impacts the calculation of calories expended. Any dieas?