Accuracy of HRM?

NavyMommy

So I just got my new HRM yesterday and of course went to the gym first thing to try it out. Does anyone know how accurate the calorie burn on these things is? I worked out for just over an hour, mainly the elliptical and spinning bike and it said I burned 607 calories. That seems really high to me, could that be right?

It's a Polar FT4 that uses the chest strap. Every time I checked my heart rate on the machines verses the display they were right on target, but it still seems like a lot of calories. Maybe I have been severely underestimating the amount of calories I've been burning!

drmerc

Make sure it is setup correctly with age etc

NavyMommy

It is, I'm 27, 5'3" and currently at 180lbs. My husband always thought I was underestimating my calories burned but it just seems like a huge number! I was just wondering if anyone knew how accurate they were for calories burned since that's what I'm most interested in, I can tell when my heart rate is up without it

kklemarow

I got a Polar FT7 for Christmas and I also thought my heart rate/calorie burn was pretty high. When I checked it against what other sources say are 'normal' heart rates while woking out, it seems accurate. I've used it about 5 times this week and there is a pattern so I believe it's correct.

Mokey41

I have the FT4 and I find it to be very accurate. FWIW, I'm 5'2", 118 lbs, and 55 yrs old. If I run for a half hour I burn about 300 calories so with the size and age difference yours sounds about right.

NavyMommy

Thanks!! That's good to know. I have been WAY WAY underestimating my calories used during exercise. That might be the reason for the plateau.