calorie burn question

es2189
es2189 Posts: 142 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have been using Map My Run for awhile, and it gives pretty low calorie estimates (usually about 100 calories lower than MFP), I use those, because I know MFP overestimates, and I'd rather be safe. I just got the Adidas micoach with the heart rate monitor, and on my run today, it calculated me burning 450 calories in 40 minutes. On the same run, I also had Map My Run on, and it calculated my burn at 260 calories.

I'm not sure what to think. I know Map My Run doesn't include extra calories for hills, so that is part of it, and I assume the micoach is calculating total calories burned, including the ones I would've burned at home on the couch anyway, so that's another part. But do you think that's it? If I add back in the 50 or so calories I would've burned sitting on the couch, do you think that 400 calories is really what I burned? Or is it closer to 260? 400 just seems like quite a lot. What does everyone think? Thanks!

Replies

  • katevarner
    katevarner Posts: 884 Member
    How much do you weigh and how far did you run? HRM are not exactly accurate either. I have a BodyMedia Fit link armband which is supposed to be 95% accurate and I still doubt the numbers to some extent. Rule of thumb is that a 150 lb person burns about 100 calories per mile (running, walking, jogging, whatever), so if that's close to your weight and you went about 4 miles or so, I'd think it's close.
  • Marquism123
    Marquism123 Posts: 152 Member
    The HRM sounds closer to the mark to me. I always think 100 - 120 cals per 10 mins is a reasonable guesstimate for running. of course it depends on how fast you run and what you weigh
  • Goodlifepttony
    Goodlifepttony Posts: 2 Member
    With any method it becomes significantly more accurate if you are able to enter your body weight into the eqation.So when setting up either of these or any other program/machine be sure to enter your body weight int the equation when it asks,or go into "set up" of the machine where it asks questions like your age.Check other items within the set up mode to make sure they are accurate as well.Try that and see how you go.

    At the same given level of intensity a lighter person will burn less a heavier person will burn more calories.
  • es2189
    es2189 Posts: 142 Member
    I weigh 146 and I ran 3 miles, so yeah, it does seem like it's a high estimate. I put in 300, which I think is probably closer to right, including 10 minutes of walking in the beginning and end.

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