How true are HRM on cals

m1key87

I brought me a HRM on satuday and it is telling me that im losing around 300 cals pre 30 day shred DVD session im pushing myself to about 80-85%. Is it telling me the truth?

NobodyInParticular

If you set up the HRM up correctly... yes

jennmodugno

I've heard a lot of opinions on this. Personally, after using mine for a few weeks, I tend to take the number it gives me and reduce it by %5. It's not a LOT less, but I feel like it gives me a buffer against error, since I feel my "calories burned" count tends to be incredibly high, even though it's set up properly.

now_or_never13

I've heard a lot of opinions on this. Personally, after using mine for a few weeks, I tend to take the number it gives me and reduce it by %5. It's not a LOT less, but I feel like it gives me a buffer against error, since I feel my "calories burned" count tends to be incredibly high, even though it's set up properly.

You should be removing some calories from the burn as most HRMs don't take away your BMR calories from the ones it gives you.

To the OP, did you input your height, weight, age and sex into your HRM? Does it have a chest strap that is correctly used? If so, you are most likely getting an accurate burn rate.

Keep in mind, HRMs are made for higher intensity exercise. Weight lifting and using a HRM will not give an accurate burn amount... also, sometimes low intensity exercise won't give a proper amount.

m1key87

I put in all the proper things height, weight, age, etc and do have a belt and using it as per the instructions given. My workout it the 30 day shred DVD and as i said push my self to about 80-85% which for me is high intensity.

I think i should do what jen suggest and -5% off the total.

linnaeus

Can't find the article, but I read that most HRMs can be up to 10-15% off. So give it a little leeway.

omma_to_3

I remove my BMR from the number and record that. That should get to a pretty accurate number. For me, that's about 65 calories per hour.

I always laugh at the study stating 10% to 15% off...because that's about what my BMR is so I don't consider that being 'off' but rather users not understanding the number given.

jsd_135

Glad you asked this; I've been wondering myself. I have a Polar FT4, and I didn't see anything about this in the instructions (I think I need to go online for more detailed info). Does anyone know if Polar HRMs deduct the BMR? I suspect not. I also imagine one should update their weight every now and then.

omma_to_3

Glad you asked this; I've been wondering myself. I have a Polar FT4, and I didn't see anything about this in the instructions (I think I need to go online for more detailed info). Does anyone know if Polar HRMs deduct the BMR? I suspect not. I also imagine one should update their weight every now and then.

They do not exclude the BMR. What I do with my weight settings is set it below my actual weight. So, when I hit say 159, I set the weight to 150 on my HRM. Then when I hit 149, I would switch it to 140. This has worked well for me and gives me a little cushion since I eat back all my exercise calories.

windyday61

I weight 160 and have my Polar 7 set at 130lbs. that gives me plenty of wiggle room. I try to burn 600 calories at workout.