HRM Accuracy and Tips

Agator82

To all,

I am currently in the process of losing weight and I have been going to the gym for the last several months doing the Elliptical and Treadmill and one question I can never get over is, "What is the accuracy of the calorie counters on gym equipment?" I know it comes down to mathematical formulas, but that does not seem completely reliable to me.

So when I read on these forums I see a lot of people using HRM for the same goal. Once again I would ask, "What is the accuracy?" Somehow I just do not see a HRM being any more reliable than a calculation (after all the backend is still a calculation). So when I go through this exercise I almost feel like I am better off getting a Fitbit and letting the calculations fall as they may because it all seems like quack science being sold by snake oil salesmen, and the Fitbit's failings seem well known.

Am I being a little too cynical about this or is there a reliable way to tell calorie burn by looking at heart rate? If so, does anyone have a recommendation for a HRM that the "Love" and cannot live without? Thanks.

RMCoffey

I have an Epulse2 HRM. I love it! You wear it around your forearm - no chest strap. You load it up with all your information and it calculates it by that.

Not sure about the accuracy - I try to never eat my workout calories back so atleast I know I've burned something.

Agator82

Is it comfortable to wear all day or is it only practical during a workout(not a deal breaker for me)? No one has input on the accuracy of the HRMs for calorie expenditure estimates?

Thanks.

dad106

HRM's with a chest strap, with all info(age weight height gender and Vo2max) and when used correctly(IE during steady state cardio) are 80% accurate.

HRM's are not meant for all day wear.. only during exercise.

I suggest you look into the Polar Brand if you are looking for a quality HRM

yarwell

accuracy ? it depends. On mine I was able to input my VO2 max (which is low) and hence the calorie estimate seems good.

Without that it would have estimated my calories 30-50% higher. I had a test on a treadmill and there are protocols to estimate it yourself.

So I would say the accuracy thing depends how much info you can enter - check its manual online. If you can't input some parameters then lying about your age or similar can achieve the same end.