calories burned on machine v HR?????

snowfox1

Hi everyone just wondering your thoughts on the accuracy of measuring calories from exercise, i always thought that the machines at the gym were supposed to OVER estimate calories burned. but it looks like they maybe UNDER estimating.... example. i spend 45mn on xtrainer (enter in my weight 52kg) and it tells me i burn abour 400cals but it says my heart rate on average is around 173 (this is about 90 Max HR) so i would think buy looking at heart rate calculators my calorie burn would be more than 400? what do you think?
thanks for your help and sorry if i didnt explain it very well

Missmaggieann

The machines I have used seem to over estimate burn. When I use my HRM (unless its with a machine that links with my HRM) my calories burned calculate much lower up to 35% lower.

3dogsrunning

The machines I have used seem to over estimate burn. When I use my HRM (unless its with a machine that links with my HRM) my calories burned calculate much lower up to 35% lower.

You are assuming that the HRM is accurate. There are a lot of factors that can affect it.
Here is a good thread.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/773451-is-my-hrm-giving-me-incorrect-calorie-burn

ETA
Meant to link this one but that one is helpful too
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/548645-setup-polar-hrm-for-more-accurate-calorie-burn-for-known-bmr?page=20

alyssa92982

My treadmill over estimated always by at least 100 calories compared to my heart monitor reading

sjstick

I have the same thoughts on my calorie burn. When I run on the treadmill or ride the recumbent bike, the machine's calculations on my calorie burn are always lower then my heart rate monitor. I go with the HRM because it is tracking me physically.