Just bought a HRM.....

kmorris246

Ok, so I finally broke down and purchased a Heart Rate Monitor today. I must say that I did buy it second-hand and it was a brand that I haven't heard much about.... Ekho Fit 19.

According to MFP, I burn 398 calories when doing 40 min of Kickboxing, so needless to say, I was heartbroken when my HRM read a 244 calorie burn at the end of that 40 mins :-(

So, my assumption is to go with my HRM? I just felt like that was such a HUGE difference- could it be because its not a very good HRM or is MFP just that far off with the calorie calculations?

ALSO, I just have to say that I do go full-out with my exercise. Always give 100% and am dripping wet, out of breath, and red-faced when I'm done.

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

TNAJackson

Does the HRM have a chest strap or is it a wrist one?

kmorris246

Chest strap with a wristband

liveinthemix

I got a brand new HRM (chest strap) w/my elliptical (a week old) and the discrepancy is that big.. I go w/what my elliptical/HRM say..even though it'd be so awesome if MFP's count was accurate..

fightingforfiftyfive

Trust your HRM, I have always found (personally) that every MFP exercise over-estimates every cardio workout I do. I stick by my HRM and although it may be a little depressing to see lower calories burnt it is better to use it as a true indication.

As you use more see it as a motivator to burn more calories burnt the next time. I have never pushed myself so hard since I have bought my HRM because I keep wanting to beat that calorie count

Goodluck!

sm423

If your hrm lets you input age, height and weight, it should be fairly accurate. But I noticed that I usually burn more according to my hrm, so thats really a bummer.

Moonbeamlissie

I'd go with the HRM, you can always spot test it by taking your own heartbeat.

doober922

I found out that mfp bases its numbers on your resting heart rate being 72. So if you're different than that your actual number will be different. Using a hrm is gonna give you the most accurate number. I found that mfp would vary based on the activity. Some were high and some were low but I'm glad I have a hrm. Its nice to get accurate information.

LilSomethin

Now that u have your HRM u will see that the calories burned according to MyFitnessPal are inflated Def go with the HRM

eddie8131

I agree, MFP is way over what HRM and the elliptical says at the gym. For some reason, I trust the HRM more than the machine at the gym because who knows how old and beat up the gym machine is.

webdiva1

Ah, yes ... the painful reality of HRM numbers vs MFP numbers. I remember it well.

Seriously, when I started using my HRM I was astounded at the difference between the two (and not in a good way). Me, I'd go with the HRM numbers. As I've gotten more fit, the numbers have actually evened out and are, for the moment at least, pretty close. It's going to be interesting to see what happens when I'm really TRULY fit.

kmorris246

Thanks for the feedback everyone- truly appreciated! I guess this just gives me incentive to push myself even harder with each workout.

I was able to input all my info in, but for some reason the HRM wouldn't let me change it from 5'3" to 5'5", but I'm sure that didn't make much of a difference.

Thanks again!

sylvuz323

If your hrm lets you input age, height and weight, it should be fairly accurate. But I noticed that I usually burn more according to my hrm, so thats really a bummer.

Yes I agree that your HRM should have taken into consideration your age, sex, height and current weight. I found that my HRM was always more than say what the elliptical machine would read. Your height discrepancy may have made a bit of difference.

bellawares

Go with what your HRM says. The MFP calories burned is outrageous. I was on a plateau for 3 weeks using the calorie burn in the MFP database. I bought a Polar ft7 a week ago and am now down 1.4 lbs. I record what my HRM says!

firedragon064

My hrm gave me less calorie than MFP also.