calorie discrepancy

bmxpop

I just bought myself a Polar FT4 heart rate monitor. I went for my usual power walk, which is usually around 400 calories burned. My new HRM said 387 calories with my heart rate averaging between 110-120. Pretty close to what I had figured before. However,when I rode my stationary recumbent bike later, my heartrate was only registering in the 80's. I thought I did a pretty strenuous workout and the bike's electronics said 250 calories, but the HRM only registered about 81. Can anybody offer an explanation as to why it would be that far off?? I am usually far more worn out after the bike workout than after my walking!!

vanessaclarkgbr

Hi, did you update the bike with your correct weight as of now? I've had that problem where I've forgotton what my weight was in kilos so had a guess - and was way out when I checked back home - that caused my 'mismatch'. Also was your strap tight enough? Finally, I've got a really old Polar and I sent the team a question as the manual isn't online, they came back within hours.

vanessaclarkgbr

Also....and this is NOT a critical comment - but the recumbent bike is a pretty low burn, lower than the bike (I use it sometimes.) Using my HRM I burnt 300 odd cals in just over an hour on the bike (tension down, I've got shin splints at the moment) - I know I wouldn't have reached that on the recumbent and I know I could get more from a brisk walk - using myself as an example.

Krahn1984

I'm confused about this as well. My heart rate is usually on the lower end when I'm biking. And on the higher end when I'm walking, jogging and running. Would love to know the answer to this as well

bmxpop

The bike is set correctly with my current weight. Perhaps I've just not burned as many calories as I thought I had when working out on it....I think the HRM is probably more accurate. But, If that is all the more calories I am burning for that strenuous of a workout, I think my workout time would be better spent doing some other form of exercise!!

deadstarsunburn

If the transmitter clip on, on the strap is covered too much it doesn't get a good signal. I was walking with 225 heart rate then realized my sports bras were covering it after I moved it, it got a normal reading. So if you're wearing too much or it's covered by anything you'll get a crazy low or high reading.