Garmin GPS HRM calorie measurements?

lporter229

Does anyone know if the Garmin GPS w/ HRM (I have Forerunner 405) uses the HRM to estimate the calorie burn or does it use pace/distance? I have noticed that there is not much difference in the calorie burn when I wear the HRM vs. not wearing it for runs of similar pace and distance. Until I joined MFP, I was not aware that HRMs were used to calculate calorie burn, so I always just used the readout on my Garmin. Recently I tried using the HRM and I figured there would be a significant difference and there wasn't. Just curious.

On a side note, can you use the Garmin HRM for calorie burn on an indoor strength training workout? Never tried.

jasperann

I think it goes by distance not heart rate. I noticed the same thing with mine. Then I got a Polar FT4 heart rate monitor and used the garmin for distance and Polar for my HR and calorie burn. The Garmin 'greatly' over estimated my calorie burn than the Polar. It was off by 200+ calories most times.

To answer your second question I use my Polar inside all the time. But it is cardio/strength training combo.

lporter229

Thanks for the response. I had a feeling my Garmin estimates were over, which is why I posted. I was once told that for a 150 lb person, 1 mile of running burns about 100 calories. I am less than 150 lbs and my Garmin always comes out to around 120 cal/mile.

mauditc

I love equipment like this, keeping track of your performance and everything. It's simply get, and makes it much easier to challenge yourself as well as making it more fun, i'm not sure how the calorie measurements application works.. but if you would like honest GPS reviews, please visit http://tomtomreviews.info