Polar FT60 HRM vs Precor 546i Elliptical. Who's right?

Goldenwoof

Hiya MFPers,

I'd been trusting the calories burned on the elliptical machine for a while now, but am seeing a HUGE difference in what it's been showing me and what my new HRM is showing. Today, for example, I did 37 minutes. The elliptical said I burned 537 calories, while the HRM said 642. That's a 20% difference, which, in my opinion, is pretty huge.

I always enter my weight and age into the elliptical, but there's nowhere to enter gender or height, so maybe that's keeping it from being more accurate...I don't know.

Honestly, I thought the calories burned would show lower on the HRM than on the elliptical, but it's the other way around by a big margin.

Thoughts? Would you trust the HRM over the elliptical?

Thanks!

careyharv

I trust my HRM over the machine anyday. I find that my HRM does run higher than the arc trainer I use. I believe the machines go on a general calculation so if you enter in just your weight and age - it gives an average of what it views as accurate.