Just got a HRM and am in shock.

vinlop

I've been on MFP for about 4 months, and am on my second round of P90X. In the passed, I have been logging my exercise calories as 450 per session (which I know was a shot in the dark, but I figure I'd estimate low). Last night I bought a Polar FT7, configured it, and had my first workout this morning. I did Legs and Back and Ab Ripper. According to the HRM, my calories came in at 913!

That number just sounds way too high. I've been losing weight pretty consistently, but not at any rapid rate or anything. And I know I haven't even come close to eating back that many calories before. I'm wondering if the HRM is giving me an incorrect reading.

I would greatly appreciate anyone's thoughts or experiences with this watch.

ShannonMpls

How long were you exercising, and what was your average and peak HR?

mrmanmeat

I've been on MFP for about 4 months, and am on my second round of P90X. In the passed, I have been logging my exercise calories as 450 per session (which I know was a shot in the dark, but I figure I'd estimate low). Last night I bought a Polar FT7, configured it, and had my first workout this morning. I did Legs and Back and Ab Ripper. According to the HRM, my calories came in at 913!

That number just sounds way too high. I've been losing weight pretty consistently, but not at any rapid rate or anything. And I know I haven't even come close to eating back that many calories before. I'm wondering if the HRM is giving me an incorrect reading.

I would greatly appreciate anyone's thoughts or experiences with this watch.

A little higher than mine, I think I'm around 600-700 w/ those workouts. But everyone is different. Same HRM too.

NurseHthr

I asked this same question a bit ago and got this answer. As long as you entered your information correctly and you are wearing it correctly it is most likely correct. If you haven't been losing like you expect maybe you are eating too few calories for such a heavy burn? Just a thought Maybe upping your cals would result in more loss!

kevinlynch3

P90X Legs & Back can run me about 450-550 calories with another 200-250 for ab ripper x depending on how energized I am..

hyde1977

I have the FT4 and I was shocked when I started using it.

Just got through the settings and make sure everything is updated!

The harder you push yourself during the workout the more you burn! I would say it is correct!

You will find that is more accurate then the database!

vinlop

My duration was 1:17
21 min in Fat Burn Zone
56 min in Fitness Zone
136 avg HR
171 max HR

rainunrefined

I asked this same question a bit ago and got this answer. As long as you entered your information correctly and you are wearing it correctly it is most likely correct. If you haven't been losing like you expect maybe you are eating too few calories for such a heavy burn? Just a thought Maybe upping your cals would result in more loss!

I agree!

ErrataCorrige

My FT7 is always spot on! Sounds like you were really underestimating yourself!

Buckeyt

I don't even bother with my HRM for resistance exercises. The calroie burn is completely different from Cardio and the algorithm that most HRMs use is really for cardio only.

Jeepinmom4

Yea same thing happned to me,mfp said my 4 mile brisk pace walk was about 400 calories,when I got my HRM I was kinda mad at mfp. My HRM says I burn(on average) 800+ on my walks.

bettyboop573

no problems with mine yet...seems pretty accurate, I have the polar ft4.....my hubby has a polar as well and he usually comes in somewhere around 800 for his p90x workouts

pyroxian

My standard "is my HRM accurate for x activity" response:
Read this:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472

short version - strength training is rarely accurately reported by an HRM since unless you go very high-end ($400 range typically) the algorithms used are based on steady-state cardio, which weight lifting is NOT.

I have a "high end" HRM myself, and have done the P90X workouts while using it & found that FOR ME, using "circuit training" in the generic exercise database is very close to what my Suunto HRM with FirstBeat Athlete software reports. (Incidentally it's around the 600-700 mark for virtually all of the p90x and p90x+ workouts, and around another 100 for ab ripper x - again "for me" so your results will probably be different)

vinlop

I don't even bother with my HRM for resistance exercises. The calroie burn is completely different from Cardio and the algorithm that most HRMs use is really for cardio only.

Actually I feel like I'm doing a cardio work out when doing the resistance days of P90X. There are not that many breaks where your heart rate has a chance to go down, and I am in the fitness range the entire time except for warmup and cool down.

ChristieisReady

Here's the thing-- the heavier you are, the more energy (calories) is (are) required to complete a task. Also, fitness level and intensity play huge roles. So you are likely burning that many calories. ( I see you're not very heavy, but bear with me here).

As for the "slower" weight loss, you may need more calories, you may be building muscle, or your body may simply be going at a longer retention rate. Look at what you are eating and what your measurements are doing, and you may find your answer there.

mrmanmeat

Yea same thing happned to me,mfp said my 4 mile brisk pace walk was about 400 calories,when I got my HRM I was kinda mad at mfp. My HRM says I burn(on average) 800+ on my walks.

that seems high to me. although I don't do a lot of walking. Just seems high, even at a brisk pace.

pyroxian

I don't even bother with my HRM for resistance exercises. The calroie burn is completely different from Cardio and the algorithm that most HRMs use is really for cardio only.

Actually I feel like I'm doing a cardio work out when doing the resistance days of P90X. There are not that many breaks where your heart rate has a chance to go down, and my is in the fitness range the entire time except for warmup and cool down.

Tony himself says in the teasers for p90x2 that "there are no true cardio workouts in P90X"... it's still resistance work, but it's circuit training which does keep your heart elevated, but does NOT make the formulae used for estimating caloric expenditure in your HRM "work" for that exercise. My Polar HRM that I retired in favor of the suunto would consistently record 900+ for the base workouts, plus whatever I got from Ab Ripper.

jeffpettis

My duration was 1:17
21 min in Fat Burn Zone
56 min in Fitness Zone
136 avg HR
171 max HR

That sounds pretty accurate to me. Everyone is different, but MFP estimates really low on calorie burn.

shawn526

800 calories burned on a 4 mile walk is WAY high, unless the person is extremely heavy. I run <11 min miles and only burn about 120 cals/mile

vinlop

I don't even bother with my HRM for resistance exercises. The calroie burn is completely different from Cardio and the algorithm that most HRMs use is really for cardio only.

Actually I feel like I'm doing a cardio work out when doing the resistance days of P90X. There are not that many breaks where your heart rate has a chance to go down, and my is in the fitness range the entire time except for warmup and cool down.

Tony himself says in the teasers for p90x2 that "there are no true cardio workouts in P90X"... it's still resistance work, but it's circuit training which does keep your heart elevated, but does NOT make the formulae used for estimating caloric expenditure in your HRM "work" for that exercise. My Polar HRM that I retired in favor of the suunto would consistently record 900+ for the base workouts, plus whatever I got from Ab Ripper.

Thanks for the info. I think I will still use it during resistance days with the understanding it may be a little off because of the type exercise.

albinogorilla

800 calories burned on a 4 mile walk is WAY high, unless the person is extremely heavy. I run <11 min miles and only burn about 120 cals/mile

depends on your size, muscle mass etc.......I know at 200+ i burn many more calories walking for 30 min than someone half my weight........

arc918

800 calories burned on a 4 mile walk is WAY high, unless the person is extremely heavy. I run <11 min miles and only burn about 120 cals/mile

Big time! 200 calories per mile walking is crazy high. I weight ~ 175 and I burn ~ 125 per mile when I run.

albinogorilla

800 calories burned on a 4 mile walk is WAY high, unless the person is extremely heavy. I run <11 min miles and only burn about 120 cals/mile

Big time! 200 calories per mile walking is crazy high. I weight ~ 175 and I burn ~ 125 per mile when I run.

if it takes someone twice as long to walk that distance at a brisk pace than it does for you to run it, then isn't it conceivable they would burn an extra 75 calories?

kyle4jem

Yea same thing happned to me,mfp said my 4 mile brisk pace walk was about 400 calories,when I got my HRM I was kinda mad at mfp. My HRM says I burn(on average) 800+ on my walks.

that seems high to me. although I don't do a lot of walking. Just seems high, even at a brisk pace.

It really is dependent on weight. I have a FT4 and burn ca.229kc walking 21mins at a brisk pace 3-3.5mph. I'm 5'4" and weigh 232lbs Also carrying a laptop rucksack weighing another 14lbs.

I also know from cycling that as my weight has dropped, so has the calorie count on my HRM over the same distance/time.

arc918

800 calories burned on a 4 mile walk is WAY high, unless the person is extremely heavy. I run <11 min miles and only burn about 120 cals/mile

Big time! 200 calories per mile walking is crazy high. I weight ~ 175 and I burn ~ 125 per mile when I run.

if it takes someone twice as long to walk that distance at a brisk pace than it does for you to run it, then isn't it conceivable they would burn an extra 75 calories?

hard to say, as I understand it (not a science guy, just a runner) you burn more running than walking, it isn't a about the time spent as much as distance covered

perhaps somebody who weighs 250+ can burn 200 a mile walking?

ATT949

A web-based calculator, FWIW:

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7120,s6-242-304-311-8402-0,00.html

ATT949

How did you arrive at that value?

I'm using a Forerunner 305 and I learned a few weeks ago, to my surprise, that it's algorithm-based not HR-based (the Garmins that end in 10 are HR based).

jeffpettis

800 calories burned on a 4 mile walk is WAY high, unless the person is extremely heavy. I run <11 min miles and only burn about 120 cals/mile

Big time! 200 calories per mile walking is crazy high. I weight ~ 175 and I burn ~ 125 per mile when I run.

if it takes someone twice as long to walk that distance at a brisk pace than it does for you to run it, then isn't it conceivable they would burn an extra 75 calories?

hard to say, as I understand it (not a science guy, just a runner) you burn more running than walking, it isn't a about the time spent as much as distance covered

perhaps somebody who weighs 250+ can burn 200 a mile walking?

I have to disagree, it is absolutely about the time spent, not the distance covered. Just using this as an example, if you ran a mile in 5 minutes and walked that same mile at a brisk pace in 10 minutes, your heart rate is elevated for twice the amount of time. Granted it is not going to be as high if you are walking as it would be if you are running, but depending on the person, it's not going to be that much different.