HRM calorie burn vs. treadmill calorie burn

hilarysgiants
hilarysgiants Posts: 132 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I worked out last night on my treadmill and wore my HRM. The HRM stated I burned 263 calories, while my treadmill (which monitors my heart rate as well) stated that I burned 444 calories. Can they be that far off from each other? I really pushed myself and feel like my calorie burn is always low compared to what I see other people log. It is frustrating. Could my burn be lower b/c my resting heart rate is 60 and I am only 5'3"? I have a hard time getting my heart rate above 160 when I am working out. Any thoughts/advice would be great. Thanks!

Replies

  • Mrs_Winfrey
    Mrs_Winfrey Posts: 61 Member
    I am interested to see what kind of feedback you get, I am having a hard time with this too. My treadmill and HRM seem to be at least 200 calories off from each other every time I exercise...
  • beckajw
    beckajw Posts: 1,728 Member
    NEVER use the machine's number. Those machines consistently vastly overestimate calorie burn.
  • iAMsmiling
    iAMsmiling Posts: 2,394 Member
    Which one knows more about you?

    You've probably entered age and weight in to your HRM...does the treadmill have that information?
  • mcrowe1016
    mcrowe1016 Posts: 647 Member
    The treadmill does not take your heart rate into consideration when calculating calories burned.

    My HRM and treadmill at the gym are usually pretty similar.
  • yecatsml
    yecatsml Posts: 180 Member
    That sounds about right - I am 5'4" and 149 lbs and my resting HR is about 57. I get about 1/2 the burn on my HRM as opposed to a machine or even MFP/MapMyRun/RunKeeper. It is a bit depressing, but I tend to believe the HRM as it has more information than the machine.
  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member
    Everyone else that has already said don't use the treadmill is right! The HRM is set up for you (your weight, your age, height, ect) while the treadmill even if it gets that info, is general and does it for everyone....always always go with your HRM :smile:
  • hilarysgiants
    hilarysgiants Posts: 132 Member
    Thanks. I guess I will just go with the HRM, which is what I have been inputting at my calorie burn. Just depressing to see such low numbers when I am trying to really push myself! I know I shouldn't compare myself to others, but it depresses me when I see other people's calorie burns for their activities and I am doing similar and mine is half as much as they have. Oh, well, I will just keep pushing on! Thanks!
  • yecatsml
    yecatsml Posts: 180 Member
    Thanks. I guess I will just go with the HRM, which is what I have been inputting at my calorie burn. Just depressing to see such low numbers when I am trying to really push myself! I know I shouldn't compare myself to others, but it depresses me when I see other people's calorie burns for their activities and I am doing similar and mine is half as much as they have. Oh, well, I will just keep pushing on! Thanks!

    They may be using the machine calculations or MFP numbers - overestimating! Better to know accurately than overinflate your burns.
  • Mrs_Winfrey
    Mrs_Winfrey Posts: 61 Member
    Thanks. I guess I will just go with the HRM, which is what I have been inputting at my calorie burn. Just depressing to see such low numbers when I am trying to really push myself! I know I shouldn't compare myself to others, but it depresses me when I see other people's calorie burns for their activities and I am doing similar and mine is half as much as they have. Oh, well, I will just keep pushing on! Thanks!

    They may be using the machine calculations or MFP numbers - overestimating! Better to know accurately than overinflate your burns.

    SO true! I will be using my HRM from now on, which is more often than not HIGHER than the treadmill. Plus, it records what I burn throughout the day as well. You never REALLY know if people are accurately recording their burn...we can only hope they are being honest with themselves....

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