Calorie burn accuracy?

Bonnielil76

I am new here and imagine this has been asked and answered a hundred times over, but, how accurate are the calorie counters for exercise on here? I am not new to health and fitness though and know that body weight, level of fitness, etc, can cause fluctuations in the number of calories burned during a workout. Does the calculator already factor some of this stuff in or what would be a more accurate way for me to track this on my own? Thank you!

jaz050465

General opinion is that it over estimates it. Most accurate is a HRM and then Bodymediafit.

Linli_Anne

I just started using a heart rate montior to track my calories, but for the past 2 months was going off what MFP suggested. According to my heart rate monitor I actually burn more calories than what MFP said.

Nothing is 100% though.

CarlieeBear

Comparing the elliptical I work out on and MFP, the difference has gone from MFP being higher to the Elliptical being slightly higher as I've started working harder. I'm guessing the MFP numbers assume you're working at at least 80% heart rate.

demilade

I asked something simmilar as mfp was logging 300 calories and the heart rate moniter 100. General consensus was go with the hrm as its specific to you.

mgobluetx12

MFP is just guessing how hard you're working and a heart rate monitor knows. MFP definitely over-estimates, so I would be careful if you're using their burns and eating back your calories. If you're not, then don't worry about it.