Calorie Burn

wantstolooseweight

Hey everyone

Random question... I've been on here about 3 weeks now and getting to the gym as often as I can. I find when I log my exercise that there is a huge difference between calories burnt on the gym machines to MFP when you put the minutes in. I always tend to go for the lowest simply because any extra is a bonus right???? I'm aware as I get fitter I'll have to work harder to burn the same amount of calories but machines are simply generic right? does MFP take into account your getting fitter and loosing weight or is this generic too?.....

Anyway my question is What is the most accurate way to figure out your calories burnt? Should I be considering a HR moniter or something?

Sorry if this has been asked a million times before!

moe0303

It's all estimates any way you look at it.

I say if the machine has the option for you to input your weight, then use that.

I don't know what formula MFP uses, but you can also figure it out for yourself using the MET values found in the Compendium of Physical Activities. It is located here: https://sites.google.com/site/compendiumofphysicalactivities/corrected-mets

Once you have the MET values, you can estimate calories burned using this formula: METs * Weight(lbs) * Time(hours) * .48= Calories burned. If you want to use minutes, just divide it by 60.

Example: Let's say I did calisthenics (e.g., push ups, sit ups, pull-ups, jumping jacks), vigorous effort for about 10 minutes. The table lists that as 8 METs. The calculation would be as follows:

8 * 190 (my weight in lbs) * (10/60) *.48 = 121.6 calories burned.

Edit: An easier formula would be
METs * weight(lbs) * Time (minutes) * .008 = calories burned.

wantstolooseweight

Thank you!!! Your a star!