HRM reads high

carrieloveshk

I tried to look for another topic that discussed this, but I couldn't find it.

I got a HRM just today, and I tried it by jogging in place for 20min. I'm 20 years old, 127lbs, and not the most athletic person in the world. MFP usually says I burn 155cal by doing this, but my HRM said I burned 400cal. Not to mention my heart rate peak was 200. You think the HRM is being weird? Or maybe I really did work too hard?

What should I do next time?

By the way, it's a HRM with chest strap.

leomom72

it is probably right..i guess it depends on what kind you have...mine reads higher than what MFP has logged, so i just usually change it..don't panic too much..best of luck

cmbneeley

i would trust your HRM. MFP is just guesswork and estimates, but the HRM is reading your real heart rate. one with a chest strap is even more accurate than a non-chest strap HRM. and if your heart rate really got that high, i totally believe that you could burn that many calories in 20 minutes.

JenniferTasso

If you are really concerned I would go to the Dr. and have them check it...200 is very high...I am 33 years old, currently 202lbs, and my HRM usually tops off at 160 during a Zumba class...and when I am sitting resting, it's usually at 53....If it was me...I would have the Dr. check it out, but it very well could be you HRM acting up...what brand is it? I have a Mio Sport

carrieloveshk

If you are really concerned I would go to the Dr. and have them check it...200 is very high...I am 33 years old, currently 202lbs, and my HRM usually tops off at 160 during a Zumba class...and when I am sitting resting, it's usually at 53....If it was me...I would have the Dr. check it out, but it very well could be you HRM acting up...what brand is it? I have a Mio Sport

Well, I have been compared with a bunny many times in the past, and not exactly due to my teeth. lol

I just took a quick check while resting, and the average read was 90. It seems accurate, since I double-checked by counting my heartbeats. Mine is a Timex. I'm not *too* concerned because I don't feel bad or anything, but I wanna make sure I'm not doing something terribly wrong.

Maybe my body will get used to it, and the heart rate will be lower once I become more fit?

ebgbjo

I would trust the HRM over MFP. Have you had your blood pressure checked lately? 20 calories a minute is a VERY impressive burn, I wish I could burn at that rate, but just because I can't, doesn't mean you can't. Definitely trust your HRM. You are doing great Carrie. Oh, and I don't think 200 is all that high. My heart rate is generally 187-194 when I run on the treadmill.

tatiana_13

Well, I'm a shortie myself, and my heart rate has always been on the high side too. No matter how in shape I get. When I really get going, some of those heart rate charts tell me I'm going to die, and while I feel challenged, I don't feel anywhere near death. Perhaps some of us are just bunnies with pitter-pattery hearts...

So, is the HRM reading plausible? Yes. Particularly if you're out of shape. But these are all academic questions for the sports physiology journals....I guess the real question is, what do you do with this new information? Maybe you are burning tons of calories when you are exercising...tons more than what MFP's database has been telling you. Does that mean you should be eating more? Or not? Does this mean you could be "getting by" with exercising less? Or not? And I think this is where the answer is...no one on MFP can probably answer that question for you. I think you're probably going to have to experiment and see how you feel and see what your results tell you.

Flyntiggr

200 is your max HR, period. You should not stay that high for a long period of time.