am i really burning that many calories?

rcroskey87

First off, I'm 5'3" and i weigh 140lbs.
My HRM says that when I do a 30 minute workout on Nike Training Club that I burn over 500 calories.
I feel like the exercises are intense and I sure do feel the burn and I'm dripping in sweat afterwards, but It just seems like way too much! I dont want to over estimate my calories burned. How accurate are the HRM? I have New Balance one.
other info is that my heart rate reaches up to 202. it mostly stays around 170-185 but it does reach in the 190s frequently.
i was told that it didn't sound safe but I dont feel like I'm over doing it... so it should be ok right?
i have just always been taught to give it my all ((from high school sports)) and i can't imagine exercising any differently.
i just wanted to make sure it was safe and just how accurate the calorie counter was.

smurfette75

I have also done the NTC. Your heart rate is pretty high so you may be burning that much. Usually my heart rate (while doing NTC) is at max 175. I usually burn around 200 - 250 calories in 30 minutes. I'm doing the beginner workouts. I'm 4'11", around 120 lbs.

martinh78

I don't think your heart rate is unsafe, so no worries there. You can't really compare like for like anyway.

Mine peaks at 189 but I'm 10 years older than you, male, different fitness etc.

500 calories sounds about right for the level of intensity as you've described and your heart rate (if 202 is your max). I burned similar doing Body Combat classes (940 ish in 60 mins).

I do eat back my calories, usually half of them or more depending. If I burn 1000calories at 7pm though I don't make the effort to eat them back before bed.

audram420

I would say that is right if your HR is that high...which I don't think is unsafe either...mine is usually around there when I'm working out hard too!! I'd go with the HRM.

NoAdditives

Getting your heart rate over 200 isn't great, but if you're just starting a new exercise routine, especially after not exercising for a while your body should adjust. When I first started out my heart rate got up to about 190 pretty consistently, but after a few months it didn't get above 170 and during interval training I could get it down 15-20 points during my slow intervals, so m y cardiovascular health improved a lot. For now, give your heart and lungs the chance to get stronger and don't worry too much about how high your heart rate gets as long as you feel ok. Make a log of your heart rate and in a month or two you should notice it going down.

As far as how reliable heart rate monitors are, I don't really know. I've hear the best and most reliable ones have a chest strap and that the wrist ones aren't always so great.

Azdak

At 140 lbs, you are not burning 500 cals in 30 min., esp doing a noncontinuous type of workout. You are more likely around 275-300. Most likely your HRM is overestimating because you have a high heart rate but you have never updated the max HR setting on the HRM. So it assumes you are working much harder than you are.