Runkeeper Calories versus MFP calories

kimmiej0
kimmiej0 Posts: 10 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Just curious, and I always go with the calories listed in MFP but has anyone noticed, and know why, 30 minutes of activity in Runkeeper for running or walking is significantly higher than entering that same activity in MFP. I've checked and it appears that my settings are the same in both programs and I primarily use runkeeper to track my routes, speed and time etc.

Replies

  • luke1437
    luke1437 Posts: 8
    I noticed this today. I burned like 500+ calories in Runkeeper and only 350 in MFP. I use the lower calorie burn so I am being more conservative. I am on the same page with you, but don't know why. Luke
  • ladyjoie
    ladyjoie Posts: 165 Member
    I've used a couple of different apps, but I normally just split the difference if it's significant. MFP doesn't know if I've sped up or slowed down but the app does and adjusts accordingly.
  • ozofeliz
    ozofeliz Posts: 20 Member
    Runkeeper use weight, age, speed, altitude and gradient to calculate calories. MPF is a estimation. Runkeeper is more conservative than endomondo.
  • johe28
    johe28 Posts: 108 Member
    Very true, I think the apps are more accurate to what you are doing rather than MFP. Going conservative or splitting the difference is a great way to keep yourself in check.
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    I'm running with a Polar FT7 and the Runkeeper app on my phone. The FT7 is close but slightly higher in calories than what Runkeeper states. I'm assuming that's because it knows what my actual heart rate is. Generally the app gives my higher calories than MFP but only slightly.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    Just curious, and I always go with the calories listed in MFP but has anyone noticed, and know why, 30 minutes of activity in Runkeeper for running or walking is significantly higher than entering that same activity in MFP. I've checked and it appears that my settings are the same in both programs and I primarily use runkeeper to track my routes, speed and time etc.

    Yes, I know exactly why.

    Niether app knows the real number. They each use a different algorythm to figure it out.

    there is no true way to know how many calories you burn. The important factor is to use a consistent method. It doesn't matter if it's wrong. As long as you use a consistent measure, you will make the proper adjustments to get the results you want.
  • wolfchild59
    wolfchild59 Posts: 2,608 Member
    I've found that the RunKeeper calories tend to be slightly higher than my Polar FT4 calories, but still much, much closer than anything that MFP gives me. The couple of times that something glitched out on my HRM, I've taken the RunKeeper calories minus about a hundred calories to enter and just ignore anything that MFP says.

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