MFP Calorie estimation vs. Treadmill vs. Polar FT4 HRM

Ruger2506

So my HRM finally arrived in the mail yesterday. After some research and set up I got a chance to use it and I am pleasantly surprised. I know this will be a great tool to allow me a better understanding of what my body is doing and how it is changing over the course of my fitness lifestyle change.

After taking the time to determine my true metabolic age, BF%, and maximal heart rate I was able to fine tune my HRM.

After investing 45 minutes on the treadmill at 3.8 MPH and 9% incline here are the results.

HRM: 386 cal
Treadmill: 586 cal
MFP: 593 cal

I also learned my peak HR during the exercise was 158 BPM and my average HR over the 45 minutes was 144 BPM. I really like how the HRM allows you to get more details during the workout. Of course I am a numbers (details) type person.

heybales

So my HRM finally arrived in the mail yesterday. After some research and set up I got a chance to use it and I am pleasantly surprised. I know this will be a great tool to allow me a better understanding of what my body is doing and how it is changing over the course of my fitness lifestyle change.

After taking the time to determine my true metabolic age, BF%, and maximal heart rate I was able to fine tune my HRM.

After investing 45 minutes on the treadmill at 3.8 MPH and 9% incline here are the results.

HRM: 386 cal
Treadmill: 586 cal
MFP: 593 cal

I also learned my peak HR during the exercise was 158 BPM and my average HR over the 45 minutes was 144 BPM. I really like how the HRM allows you to get more details during the workout. Of course I am a numbers (details) type person.

I'm really shocked MFP was that close to the treadmill.
I'm assuming the treadmill knew you had a incline, and your weight already, and should have known that was much more effort than flat 3.8 MPH.
But MFP would have no idea of incline, and 3.8 mph flat is not that high.

Sorry the metabolism isn't allowing for full burn yet. Yet!

What did estimated MHR end up being?
Because 144 for that speed/incline is incredible I think.

I looked back at my logs and found a 40 min 3.6mph starting at 8% dropping to 6% grade. I was trying to stay max 139 in recovery zone, and hit MHR of 152 for some moment.

I burned 625 for whole effort including 10 min warm-up and cool-down, avg 136 HR. My tested max is 194.

See, with rev'd up metabolism, could be burning good 300 more probably!

Ruger2506

Sorry, max HR was 158 and average was 144.

heybales

Sorry, max HR was 158 and average was 144.

Oh, you got that actually in there.

I was thinking more about your body's max HR, not just for that workout.

chrystee

Can you tell me more about the metabolism thing?
My workout buddy and I do the same workout, same intensity, I am 275 and she is 155 and she burns twice as much calories as I do.. My heart rate stays at 140 where hers will be 160..

heybales

Can you tell me more about the metabolism thing?
My workout buddy and I do the same workout, same intensity, I am 275 and she is 155 and she burns twice as much calories as I do.. My heart rate stays at 140 where hers will be 160..

oh, that metabolism rev'd up was from other post where he set his HRM to better reflect his current metabolism, not what the HRM estimated it at.

Regarding your difference with friend, you are going the same pace, I guess that is what you meant.
If you are at 140 HR and hers is 160, it is of course not the same intensity at all.

And that aspect really depends on what your true max HR is, and what your HRM has estimated as your max HR in the stats.
If both of your HRM's calculated your max HR as the same, say, 170, because your age's are the same, then it would appear her 160 was very nearly topped out, and therefore big calorie burn. Whereas your 140 was not nearly as hard an effort.

Then again, if ages are different and default max HR calc left in there, you could be younger and it appeared yours was even easier, and she's older and it appeared even harder.

And for both of you, no matter the age, the calc'd max HR may be very off from reality. Leading to both of you getting incorrect calorie burn estimates.

If you have not been exercising that long, submaximal step test for MHR estimate.
http://doctorholmes.wordpress.com/2008/11/20/determine-your-maximum-heart-rate-with-the-step-test/

You can both do that before your next workout, and set HRM's up a tad more correctly. Max HR is on your personal stat settings page on Polar's.