Are Heart rate monitors accurate at calorie counting?

Doriprincess

Hi all. Question-does anyone else use heartrate monitors to calculate how many calories they are burning while working out? I just got one and did my normal weight machines for 45 minutes followed by elliptical for 45 minutes followed by stretching for 30 minutes. The monitor says I burned 950 calories. That seems way too high, especially because it says I burned 375 calories just with the weights (that 45 minutes includes resting in between sets and even waiting a bit for machines).

Now I'm over 200lbs and I do very heavy weights and my heart rate was way up during the weight lifting but this seems very high. What do other people think. I don't want to overeat because my heart rate monitor is saying I'm burning more calories than I am.

Thanks all!

AmyRhubarb

What HRM are you using and does it have a chest strap?

azbutterfly1324

My husband and I both have Polar HRM's with chest straps. I find them to be pretty accurate. What you're saying actually sounds about right if you were doing weights that were challenging and had a good pace on the elliptical. I did a chest/back workout (weights only) for 60 minutes last week and burned almost 600 calories. My husband typically burns about 50% more than I do during the same workout. Our numbers have been consistent.

ShannonMpls

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472

I use and love my HRM, but I certainly wouldn't rely on the calorie count it gives me to determine how much I eat.