We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Calories burned have been way under!

theflyingartist
theflyingartist Posts: 385 Member
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Just found this website with a calculator to determine calories burned per heart rate:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/314866-how-many-calories-are-burned-if-heart-rate-is-130-for-60-minutes/

It takes into account your age, weight, and heartrate.
Lately, I've been getting into 180-190HR during my 35 minute cardio sessions. MFP logs this as about 300 calories burned. This equation brought me to about 800 cals burned.
Who do I believe? Underestimating is always better, I suppose. But does anyone know exact measurements on heart rate and how it correlates to calories burned?
I don't have a HRM (heart rate monitor), so bear with me. I am aware that is the best indicator.

Replies

  • Get a heart rate monitor that will calculate calories burned. The tools that guess don't give you a real estimate. MFP is high for some things, VERY low on others. Only really accurate solution is to get a heart rate monitor. I've got a Polar one with a chest strap and it's great. VERY accurate and allows you to adjust by weight and age and all. Great tool. Can't be sure without one.
  • What was your AVERAGE heart rate? It seems like this is what's used to calculate. This is another site I've used.

    http://www.braydenwm.com/calburn.htm

    We just bought HRMs this week, and I love that it takes so much of the guesswork out.
  • christine24t
    christine24t Posts: 6,063 Member
    haha i clicked on the website and realized there's math involved and clicked out! too complicated! lol
  • slieber
    slieber Posts: 765 Member
    300 sounds more realistic. I burn 200 according to my HRM for a 30 minute interval elliptical session.
  • theflyingartist
    theflyingartist Posts: 385 Member
    I wanted to avoid the cost factor of a HRM, but it looks like that's my only option! :P Haha thanks everyone :flowerforyou:
  • Get a heart rate monitor that will calculate calories burned. The tools that guess don't give you a real estimate. MFP is high for some things, VERY low on others. Only really accurate solution is to get a heart rate monitor. I've got a Polar one with a chest strap and it's great. VERY accurate and allows you to adjust by weight and age and all. Great tool. Can't be sure without one.

    I have been looking for a good monitor that is accurate. What type is yours, where can I get it, and how much? Thanks!
  • uniquesoul73
    uniquesoul73 Posts: 151 Member
    HRM is the only way to be sure. I say invest in one...its a worthwhile investment
  • torregro
    torregro Posts: 307
    Lately, I've been getting into 180-190HR during my 35 minute cardio sessions. MFP logs this as about 300 calories burned. This equation brought me to about 800 cals burned.

    I don't know your age or physical condition, but the first thing I would question is whether you are truly sustaining a heart rate of 180-190 throughout your 35 minute cardio session. That's very high, and if you look at the heart rate charts, you'd have to be very young, and at about 90-98% of your max heart rate to sustain those levels. If you're 20, for instance, your max heart rate would be approximately 200 - 20, or 180. Then you'd want to exercise at some percentage of that maximum, depending on your goals.
    No one exercises at their maximum heart rate for very long, that's for sure.
  • theflyingartist
    theflyingartist Posts: 385 Member
    I don't know your age or physical condition, but the first thing I would question is whether you are truly sustaining a heart rate of 180-190 throughout your 35 minute cardio session.
    Right, I was using the HRM on the machine, and this was after doing a 5 resistance on a stationary bike for 25 minutes at 13MPH, I moved onto the treadmill and was tracking my HR on its handlebar HRM. So, I know it was high, I was drenched, but I'd rather be sure it's that high. I remember being younger and watching out, I get into anaerobic exercise quite often and don't realize it.
This discussion has been closed.