HRM question please?

sandy2006

I have the polar ft4. Are the calories burned Affected by what your heart rate is when the timer is started? For example sometimes I start my watch immediately and I have a hr of 68-70 but other times I may walk to the fitness room and then start it and my heart rate is more around 90-95. Does this affect the calorie count in the end?

stuffinmuffin

In a word, yes. The HRM will pick up your heart rate and monitor it (and estimate calories burned) from the moment you start the work-out. Generally I try to pause it when I'm resting (in between switching gym equipment/activity) when your heart rate starts to decline and come into recovery (resting heart rate). Your resting heart rate is generally going to record your BMR calories which should not go towards your daily calorie burn on MFP.
I don't bother putting my HRM on unless I'm going for a brisk walk or the gym or actual fitness activity. (I would count walking to the gym as part of the burn).

As a side exercise it's interesting to find out what your BMR is and then when you do long work-outs....say for instance and hour or more you know how many cals to deduct from total burned to give an accurate amount of extra calories you have to eat in that day!

Hope this makes sense!!! : )

sandy2006

hmmm I dont think I understand your answer. thanks for trying.