exercise calories--who to believe?

jezirus

Twice now I've logged exercise and what mfp tells me is way off from what the elliptical machine told me at the Y.... like mfp said 500 and something calories burned, but the elliptical told me 300ish... so which is right? I've changed it both times to the amount the machine told me... but I'd sure LOVE It to be the higher number mfp is telling me! :-)

rachrach66

MFP is always off either too much or too little. If the machine says 300 log that its your safest bet. You may want to invest in a HRM to get a better more acurate reading of how many calories you are burning during workouts. Good Luck!

Tereztaylor07

I think MFP uses your weight in the calculation, so it might be more accurate.

Perfectlycrooked

The machines are usually set to people around 120-140 pounds. Believe MFP, it's got all of your information where the machine doesn't. (:

TS65

I find my HRM to be closer to MFP than the machines. The machine doesn't know if you're male, female, old or young - you just enter your weight (not at all accurate). I don't think it would hurt to use the lower calorie count though - just to be safe.

Angela4Health

MFP is just going off of an estimate based on your height, weight, age etc. It can't be perfect. As for the eliptical did you program your information? If so, I would go with that reading because it tracked your heart rate. Otherwise, just go with the average of the two numbers. The best thing you can do for yourself is get an HRM and take out all the guess work! The best investment I ever made was getting my Polar FT4 HRM!

LorinaLynn

The elliptical is one of those things in the exercise database that can't possibly be accurate. It just says "elliptical trainer," but doesn't go by the resistance or speed. You're going to burn a lot more going 6mph with the resistance cranked up than if you're going a more moderate pace at a lesser level.

A HRM will give you the most accurate results, but I'd trust the machine over a vague generalization.

david081

Yep, Polar FT4 is the way to go - you can pay more if you want but the FT4 does all you really need...

pauljsolie

My experience with ellipticals have been right on with my HRM, way off with MFP. If you don't have an HRM you should get one. That way you will know exactly what you burn.

Nessiep

hi iwould go with what your machine is telling you...i go on my bike 4 30mins my counter says 89cals MFP says 300 odd so its not always correct.

qofspades

I use whatever machine that I'm using because I put to put in my weight and age. If I'm not using a machine, I use my pedometer, but sometimes seems off target compared to wearing it on the machine.