Got a new HRM - Even more confused about calories burnt.

itsme_timd
itsme_timd Posts: 59
in Fitness and Exercise
So I got a new HRM (Timex T5J031) and it has a feature to track calories burnt. I've used it a couple times and each time it's said I've burned more calories than I had in the past for similar activities. To make matters worse I'm getting 4 different numbers from 3 websites and manually calcualting using a formula.

Example, I did a 1.8 mile walk in 35:15 tonight. I am 41 yo, 6'3" tall and weigh 379 lbs. My watch said I burnt 778 calories in that workout, Runkeeper.com says I burnt 371 calories, MFP said 355 and using a formula I found online I get 496.

Normally I'd just take the lowest to be safe but the whole reason I got the HRM was to take some of guesswork out of it. The numbers on there seem high to me but it IS measuring my vitals as I work out, perhaps there were times that my HR was higher (peak was 143) that I was burning more that taking an average number can't account for.

Anyone else dealt with this or have any input?

Replies

  • NCchar130
    NCchar130 Posts: 955 Member
    I don't have an HRM personally. But the general feeling I've gotten from reading a lot of topics here on HRMs is they are thought to be more accurate for all the reasons you stated. That kind of calorie burn sounds crazy high to me at first, but then I am a woman, 9 inches shorter than you, and less than half your weight. :flowerforyou:

    If you normally eat back your exercise calories, you could enter that 778 number and just eat half of them back if you are concerned.

    Sorry I can't be more helpful, good luck! I hope some others will reply who might have better input.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    The numbers from the HRM will be the closest because it's actually measuring your exertion level. Timex is known to over estimate burn for women but are pretty accurate for men.
  • itsme_timd
    itsme_timd Posts: 59
    Thanks for the input, I'll try going by that and see how things go - I'm not arguing the higher burn if that is accurate!

    I don't normally eat my calories back but do tow the line or cross over it a bit some days. I'm trying to cut back a bit more and it gives me some wiggle room.
  • morrowsarah
    morrowsarah Posts: 240 Member
    I have a sportline HRM and when I walk I get different calorie burned amounts between it, map my ride, and MFP. I don't quite get it, but I always log my HRM and hope it is accurate. One thing you will have to do with your HRM is change your weights as you go! Do you also have a chest strap with it or is it just the watch?
  • itsme_timd
    itsme_timd Posts: 59
    I have a sportline HRM and when I walk I get different calorie burned amounts between it, map my ride, and MFP. I don't quite get it, but I always log my HRM and hope it is accurate. One thing you will have to do with your HRM is change your weights as you go! Do you also have a chest strap with it or is it just the watch?

    I've got one with the chest strap. I had just the watch kind where you have to place your fingers on the sensors and that was awful.

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