I've lost confidence in my HRM and calorie estimates

IsMollyReallyHungry

all of these devices, such as HRMs, BodyBugs, the machine at the gym, the MFP calculator, etc are giving you nothing more than an estimate and each has its pros and cons. To get an accurate estimate you would need to live your life in one of those rooms that measure your calorie consumption from the oxygen levels.

My general observation is we usually over estimate the benefit of any exercise and underestimate the calories we consume. To compensate for this I look at the lowest estimate given to me and use that. For example, 30 mins on the eliptical trainer with a heart rate monitor yesterday estimated 340 cals burned. MFP estimates 401 calories. My bodymedia fit estimated 205. I used the 205 estimate.

So very true.

FitPhysique

Costco has Bodymedia Fit on sale for 149.99 and from what I heard they are more accurate. I bought an New balance one last week thrusday and I am returning it to ge the body media.

FitPhysique

Caprica. From Reading the reviews and speaking with 2 other ppl that have been using the bosymedia over the last couple of weeks. When you are on a stationary equipment like ellipticals, bikes, treadmill etc the reading is more accurate if the band is use on the calf rather than the arm. Try that and see if you get that big of a difference.

FitPhysique

I always feel like mine grossly underestimates my calories burned. After a 45 minute run, it said i only burned 320 calories, NO WAY! My HR was at 91-96% almost the entire time! MFP said I burned 479 calories...so I have just been averaging the two...

How many miles are you doing during that time? If you want to estimate, a person usually burns 100 calories/mile.

Mindful_Trent

Caprica. From Reading the reviews and speaking with 2 other ppl that have been using the bosymedia over the last couple of weeks. When you are on a stationary equipment like ellipticals, bikes, treadmill etc the reading is more accurate if the band is use on the calf rather than the arm. Try that and see if you get that big of a difference.

I'm curious - how do these people know that it is more accurate when used on the calf? How do they know that it's not their expectations that are wrong, rather than the reading? Instructions for the BodyMedia Fit make it clear that this device is designed/calibrated to be worn on the left upper arm. Wearing it anywhere else compromises the accuracy of the data.

myofibril

I use a FitBit and it has proven to be extremely accurate. I am graphing my daily deficit based on what I log to eat here and my FitBit and my weight loss is right where it should be, based on the cumulative deficit / 3500 calories.

I've learned that, during intense exercise, I burn a lot less than the machines at the gym or MFP says. But rather, overall, I burn about 200-300 more calories a day during normal activities than MFP estimates.

My choice of the FitBit was based on wanting a device to measure every day living energy usage (and cost), vs measuring how much I burn during just aerobics or intense exercise.

Ditto.

I gave in to my love of all things gadgety and had one imported from the States (they are not sold in the UK.) I don't use it to track energy expenditure from any kind of exercise but simply my activity of day to day life. In my opinion, HRM are an excellent tool for assessing fitness goals.However, if you are relying on them to give you any kind of accurate account of calories burned during exercise then be very careful unless you have a high end one. Even then I could take the readings with a large pinch of salt.

I have to say I really like Fitbit. It gives out some useful data and is relatively inexpensive. I used to think that I was relatively sedenatry outside of the gym when in reality I am much more active then I thought. In addition, I know with some degree of certainty my maintenance level of calories per day without exercise and the Fitbit calculation was suprisingly close to it. It's nice to have what I know to be true confirmed.

Look out for Green Goose sensors though. They are being released soon and only cost $24. Oh, how I wish I lived in the US sometimes...