This may be a silly question but...

Real_Cool_Hand

Does anyone happen to know the "accuracy" of the calories burned under 'Elliptical Trainer'? I know the counter on the machine over estimates, and the HRM never seems to pick up for me. Also, the elliptical has levels and resistance, so... how does that factor in?
I should really invest in a heart rate moniter!

HeidiMightyRawr

I'd say if you're working hard it will be an underestimate (I always burn more than MFP says) but that's best I suppose when you're trying to lose
I would definately get a HRM if you use it regularly and want accuracy as there are lots of things to factor in such as weight, effort, resistance etc

MrsZMartin

It is completely personal. The only way to get a reliable read is, as you said, a hrm Even when yur height, weight, and age are taken into account, something that doesn't measure your heart rate isn't taking your fitness level into account. The fitter you are the harder you have to work. That being said, estimates are just fine! You're burning, and that's what matters!

BTW- my bf just bought me a Polar hrm for our 8th anniversary!!!! I've been wanting one for over a year, but don't spend that kinda $ on myself if I can avoid it. Holiday season is around the corner! However you do it, a good hrm is a great investment in yourself.

Good luck!

yeabby

Sounds like you know the answer to your question.

emd0019

I use a resistance of 12, doing the hills or interval program, would avg a speed of around 5-5.5 and would go for about an hour. The machine would tell me around 590-600, mfp would tell me 604, and my HRM usually tells me 620. I have a polar ft7 HRM, I am 5'5" and weigh 148. I don't know if that helps but figured I would give you as many stats as I could.

shaj316

I would definitely pick up a HRM. I never do the Elliptical but do a lot of stationary bike and treadmill. My counts were all over the place without the HRM. Now I get very consistent results (Polar FT7). What I especially like about it is I can go and do a bunch of things like 30 minutes on the bike and 40 on the treadmill and I get a nice summed up count. Or if I change it up and sprint for one, walk for 2, sprint for 1 etc, I get a different calorie count than if I just jogged the same distance in the same time.

Finally, I also use it while I'm at work (deskjob). I'll put it on every two weeks for a couple of hours to see what I burn just sitting around and working. I've noticed that as I've lost weight, the calories I burn just to maintain my weight while doing nothing has gone down a little (which makes perfect sense). I now subtract the new number from the cals burned so that I have an accurate number to add to my journal. For example, I averaged 225 cals just sitting around working a few weeks ago. Now I seem to average 218. If I then burn 600 cals according to the HRM, I now add 382 (600-218) to my journal.

Rae6503

Elliptical machines just don't really do it for me. I have to REALLY push in order to just burn 250 calories in a half hour. I weigh 150.