Explain something to me (calories burned)

fteale

So I just did 10km on a rowing machine, very fast (split time of 2:20). My HRM says I burned 470 cals. The computer on the ergometer says I produced 570 cals of output.

How does this work?

My husband, who is a high level rowing coach and works in the fitness industry and my friend who is a doctor (and also rows) both say trust the erg computer not the HRM.

Which would you go with?

TourThePast

I would go with whichever item had the most information to calculate the calories from.

If the rowing machine reads your heart rate monitor, and you have input height weight age and gender into it, I'd go with the rowing machine. If it has none of your information, it will only be giving an average calorie burn for an average person, which includes men, so I'd go with the HRM.

AmerTunsi

I would go with the HRM.

However, I'm not familiar with the machine you are using, but does it have you input a certain weight? Because often with treadmills they have a weight input and it adjusts how many calories you burnl heavier weights inputted cause higher burn counts.

worldhurdler

Wait - I'm a little confused. So, you completed a 10,000m row (or 10k). If your splits avg to 2:20 (is that per 500m? That's what I'm used to), then you spent a total of between 46-47min on the rower, correct?
If that's the case, then your calories burned seems really low to me. Granted, I don't own a HRM and have never used one while rowing, but I typically burn a significant more on the rower than I do all other machines. So, I'd definitely go with the higher number!

Kolohe71

Did they both (erg & HRM have ALL of your vital information (Age, Sex & Weight) required for the calculation.

If either one of them is missing any piece of this information then I would go with the other that does.

If they both have it, then definately go with the HRM because the erg will only sample your heart rate every 5-10 seconds and the HRM will do it much more frequently. The higher number of samples will lead to a more accurate caluclation.

IMYarnCraz33

i agree with the above, however
were you using a chest strap with your HRM?
if so, use the HRM as it should be more accurate.

fteale

Wait - I'm a little confused. So, you completed a 10,000m row (or 10k). If your splits avg to 2:20 (is that per 500m? That's what I'm used to), then you spent a total of between 46-47min on the rower, correct?
If that's the case, then your calories burned seems really low to me. Granted, I don't own a HRM and have never used one while rowing, but I typically burn a significant more on the rower than I do all other machines. So, I'd definitely go with the higher number!

I do generally have a really low calorie burn generally. Running I average about 80 cals per mile.

fteale

I think, though am not sure, but have been told, that the erg computer isn't measuring estimated calories, it measures the caloric output required to power the fan, so it seems bizarre that the calories I apparently produced are higher than the calories my HRM thinks I burned.

Both the doctor and my husband seem to think heart rate isn't a very accurate way to measure calories burned. I just don't know. It isn't something I have looked into before.

Azdak

From the Concept 2 website:

To determine the number of calories burned per hour during your workout, Concept2 Performance Monitors use a formula based on a 175 pound individual.

On the same page, they have a calculator to translate the PMC number to your actual number based on weight.

http://www.concept2.com/us/interactive/calculators/calorie.asp

fteale

From the Concept 2 website:

To determine the number of calories burned per hour during your workout, Concept2 Performance Monitors use a formula based on a 175 pound individual.

On the same page, they have a calculator to translate the PMC number to your actual number based on weight.

http://www.concept2.com/us/interactive/calculators/calorie.asp

Thanks. That makes sense, then, as I am a lot smaller than that.

Ifican

This is always a confusion for many. Everyone is different and any number be it HRM or machine is going to give you a general number. I have been giving this suggestion longer than i care to admit. Use whatever number you like, monitor your body and adjust accordingly. I have to agree with another poster that the calories burned seems low however if your body is extremely efficient at that pace and distance it may be correct. There is no right or wrong answer here. Listen to your body it talks to you continuously, learn to decipher its needs vs its wants and your set. Go with the higher number and monitor your weight, energy level and health over a few weeks to a few months. Also remember that as your body adapts and gets more efficient its gets better at doing the same exercise over time and therefore uses less calories (units of energy) to do the same thing. I know not exactly the answer you were looking for but hope it helps some.