I trust my HRM way more than MFP.

FORIANN

When I do an hour of cardio on the elliptical the machine itself says I burned 1500 callories. MFP says I burned 1100. My Polar FT4 says I burned 845. I just started using this particular HRM and though I've been making solid weight loss gains (because my goal is 2lb a week and I overestimate my food consumption slightly) I didn't really have a very accurate picture before. Given that I was banking on a 1000 calorie a day deficit, this misinformation hasn't been very detrimental to me, but for some it might be. How in the name of Santa Clause can these machines/MFP be that off.....especially since I don't put my weight into the elliptical machine and I am considerably larger (very large frame) than the average person.

Just thought I would share this so that others would know that what MFP is telling you might be way off base.

Toddrific

I'm still curious if Polar subtracts your BMR from your exercise calories.

FORIANN

What is BMR?

//OK...read up on that. Wouldn't it be more accurate to reduce your RMR?

///Still reading up on this....this is a very good point you make.

Toddrific

I've been poking around the Polar forums and cant seem to find if they calculate BMR into or not.

What I did find is users grumbling about accuracy
This thread helps with adjusting accuracy
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/548645-setup-polar-hrm-for-more-accurate-calorie-burn-for-known-bmr

I also found a study that said they are about 75% accurate. Slightly more accurate if calibrated correctly (this was on fancier model)

Edit:Oooh found something explaining the difference between heart rate and machine calorie calculation
http://sweat365.com/library/articles/general-fitness/calories-burned/

dad106

I'm still curious if Polar subtracts your BMR from your exercise calories.

No they don't subtract BMR calories and since they are only 80% accurate anyway, why mess it up more by trying to back out calories?

Just leave it as is, take the number it gives you and if really worries you then don't eat all the calories back.

To OP:
I've had both an FT7 and now the FT60.. and I love them both.