Any massage therapists out there?

Denkko

I work as a massage therapist at a local spa 1.5 days a week. This is hard work -- especially the deep tissue appointments -- that leaves me totally drained at the end of the day. I wouldn't really call the work "cardio" but it has to account for something in terms of calories expended, right? The strength training section on this site insists on my adding counts and reps, which just doesn't apply in this case. I've chatted with other MT's online, and 300 to 500 calories an hour seems to be the ballpark range, depending on the form and degree of the massage. Any help anyone can give regarding how to log these hours would be greatly appreciated.

HalloweenGirl7

I think you can add your exercise category.
I know you can add calories burned or adjust them (if you think the amount of calories you burned is wrong).
As far as knowing for sure: a Heart Rate Monitor will tell you pretty close to what you are burning.

Go to the My Exercises tab and create your own (based on your hrm or what others told you the calorie burn was).

Is that the info you were looking for?

Denkko

I think you can add your exercise category.
I know you can add calories burned or adjust them (if you think the amount of calories you burned is wrong).
As far as knowing for sure: a Heart Rate Monitor will tell you pretty close to what you are burning.

Go to the My Exercises tab and create your own (based on your hrm or what others told you the calorie burn was).

Is that the info you were looking for?

Kinda ... I tried creating my own exercise category, but then it is accepted and counted toward my daily calorie count as cardio, and I feel like that's overstating it a bit. I work up a sweat, no doubt, but seriously doubt my heart rate goes up much during a massage. Maybe I'm just being overly analytical? I think your suggestion of the heart rate monitor is probably the answer. You bought a new one a while back, didn't you? How do you like it?

HalloweenGirl7

I like it a lot. It is easy to wear and I do not notice the strap. I think it's accurate too.
Those #'s were way off for me on the exercise database.
I got one on Amazon for cheaper: $30 cheaper.
It depends on if color is important to you I guess. I got the Polar FT4 in brown.
I have been keeping it on the kitchen table so I can remember to put the darn thing on before doing stuff! Lol.