HRM vs. Machine calorie count

soxygirl

Hi all,

I worked out indoors today for the first time in ages, because I am away on business and couldn't go outside. I still had my trusty HRM with me, though, so I headed to the hotel fitness room to walk/jog on the treadmill. I spent 50 minutes on the treadmill walking at 5.0 at a 3 incline with 60 min intervals of jogging at 6.0 every 4 minutes.

My HRM says I burned 545 calories . . . the machine said I only burned 299! I know that we've discussed on here before that the HRM is more accurate, but I was shocked by this discrepancy because the heart rate on both were in sync the entire time! I haven't lost much weight recently (very close to my goal now) and I am wondering if I am eating too much but eating all of my exercise calories per my HRM.

I am 32 yrs old, 5'7", and currently weigh 146 pounds.

Thoughts?

schlieffen

I've also seen this discrepancy (though not as much of one, yikes!) so I'm curious to know the answer too!

TCASMEY

Could you set the machine for weight and fitness level? Your HRM is set for you and most machines are not. My home elipse will say I burned 1000 but my HRM is usually around 730. When my husband uses the elipse his HRM and the elipse are usually very close in the number of calories burned. I am guessing that the machine is set for someone his weight and height (our machine is not adjustable).

soxygirl

Yeah, I could set the machine, and did . . . I see discrepencies where the machine is higher than the HRM a lot and I'd be more comfortable with that because I'd rather be under than over, but I was definitely thrown when my HRM was higher, and by so much!

ilike2moveit

I think your heartrate monitor is correct, because I do a similiar workout and my treadmill says I burn around the same calories that your HRM said. Makes me seriously consider getting a HRM though.

naugustyniak

Yeah, I could set the machine, and did . . . I see discrepencies where the machine is higher than the HRM a lot and I'd be more comfortable with that because I'd rather be under than over, but I was definitely thrown when my HRM was higher, and by so much!

Did you check your settings on your HRM? also, sometimes the HRM will interfere with the computer on a treadmill at a gym. I have a Polar F6 which is supposed to not interfere but some others do.