Do not trust the calorie counters on gym machines.

Loves418

I finally got my HRM. Took it to the gym YIKES...The elliptical after 40 mins said I burned 484 calories my HRM said 303 that is 181 calorie difference times 6 days a week means I was eating 1086 calories to much a week on top of as I was doing 30 day shred MFP gave me more calories as well.
I am glad I was finally able to get my HRM hoping now I can start to lose weight if I am on the right track with calories.

kjuncoonazz

Yeah that machine may have needed to be calibrated and was not reading right. It also depends on the resistance you are working at. I use a crossramp elliptical 10 on 7 resistance and at 29 minutes I usually burn 300 cals.

japruzze

I had the same " ah ha" experience when I started using my HRM recently.

Sassys4538

I am looking to buy a HRM, what kind do you have? Can anyone suggest a good one to get. I spent 45 mins on the elliptical today and it said I burned 610 calories. Would love to compare with a HRM.

Fitness_4_Jess

If possible it always helps to calibrate it (the workout machine) to your weight. Also, take the number of calories the machine says you burned and subtract 20% of that number. 20% seems to be the standard "error" I've noticed on machines. Hope that helps!

dandur

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Weekend/exercise-calorie-counters-work/story?id=9966500#.Tx9OGFlMfad

Treadmill: Overestimated calories burnt by 13 percent.

Stationary Bike: Overestimated calories burnt by 7 percent.

Stair Climber: Overestimated calories burnt by 12 percent.

Elliptical: overestimated calories burnt by 42 percent.

Certainly not an exhaustive study but perhaps enough to think about not taking machine counters at face value.

Loves418

I just bought this one and the price just went up. I paid 57.95. So far I love it easy to use and set up.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U0OFD2/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details

Sassys4538

I just bought this one and the price just went up. I paid 57.95. So far I love it easy to use and set up.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U0OFD2/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details

Thanks Loves418, the reviews are great for this HRM, I am going to order one.

chicklidell

If possible it always helps to calibrate it (the workout machine) to your weight. Also, take the number of calories the machine says you burned and subtract 20% of that number. 20% seems to be the standard "error" I've noticed on machines. Hope that helps!

That's exactly what I tell my clients...deduct 20% and you typically would burn 6-7 calories a minute on the elliptical...unless very overweight you would burn more....45 minutes on an elliptical at a somewhat challenging pace would net you around 400 calories maybe a littl emore depending on how hard you hit it