Reliability of Elliptical HRM

aneedell

I am justifiably skeptical of the calorie estimates MFP provides for aerobic exercise. But I don't have and can't (no need to go into it) wear a HRM with a chest strap. My question is when I use an elliptical trainer with handles that continually monitor HR, and do a say 40 min "cardio" workout staying in the aerobic zone for virtually the whole time, how reliable is the calorie total produced by the machine [e.g., today 45 minutes showed 409 KCal]? Can I use that a a benchmark to compare estimates of calories from other activities (like brisk walking) based on the relevant level of effort?

Or does anyone have another way to get more acurate calorie burning estimates (without a chest strap)?

RepsnSets

I am justifiably skeptical of the calorie estimates MFP provides for aerobic exercise. But I don't have and can't (no need to go into it) wear a HRM with a chest strap. My question is when I use an elliptical trainer with handles that continually monitor HR, and do a say 40 min "cardio" workout staying in the aerobic zone for virtually the whole time, how reliable is the calorie total produced by the machine [e.g., today 45 minutes showed 409 KCal]? Can I use that a a benchmark to compare estimates of calories from other activities (like brisk walking) based on the relevant level of effort?

Or does anyone have another way to get more acurate calorie burning estimates (without a chest strap)?

Purchase a HRM with a chest strap I did a month ago and the machines are inaccurate.

aneedell

I have some scars on my chest that get irritated badly with the chest strap. (I tried to hint about it in my post).

danimalkeys

I've tested my elliptical by actually taking my pulse and timing it, and the machine is pretty much right on.

How many calories you burn will depend on how fast you go (and how much you weigh- heavier=more calories burned). I usually average an 11-12 minute mile and if I do 45 mins I am somewhere in the 680-720 calorie range.

jacksonpt

I am justifiably skeptical of the calorie estimates MFP provides for aerobic exercise. But I don't have and can't (no need to go into it) wear a HRM with a chest strap. My question is when I use an elliptical trainer with handles that continually monitor HR, and do a say 40 min "cardio" workout staying in the aerobic zone for virtually the whole time, how reliable is the calorie total produced by the machine [e.g., today 45 minutes showed 409 KCal]? Can I use that a a benchmark to compare estimates of calories from other activities (like brisk walking) based on the relevant level of effort?

Or does anyone have another way to get more acurate calorie burning estimates (without a chest strap)?

Your basic machines (treadmill, stationary bike, etc) that allow you to enter your weight are going to be about as accurate as you can get. IMO, it's very safe to trust those numbers. Beyond that, it's kind of a crap shoot.

IMO, the best way to go is to pick 1 method of estimating and use it consistently for a month, then evaluate your results. If your estimating (diet, exercise, etc) shows you should be losing but you aren't, then it's safe to assume your estimates are off (eating more than you think, burning less than you think, or some combination of the two) and you can adjust accordingly.

now_or_never13

Could you put a strap on another spot of your chest? Or you could look at getting a fitbit or a body media if it`s in your budget. I believe the fitbit is clipped onto your waist and the body media you wear on the top of your arm

If not, you can get watch only ones. Should you go that route ensure you check your HR frequently as it will base your burn reading on the most recent HR reading. Otherwise, you could always manually take your HR throughout your exercise at intervals and manually calculate your calories burned.

For 45 mins though the calorie burn sounds pretty accurate. I am 5`5``, female, 197lbs and burn about 500 cals in an hour.

If the machine allows you to enter your age, sex, height and weight it will be more accurate.

mmapags

As jacksonpt sad, the estimate you are getting from the machine is close enough.

aneedell

If the machine allows you to enter your age, sex, height and weight it will be more accurate.

Thanks. The elliptical at the office Gym is completely programable for selected workouts. The cardio workout asks for age, weight, and time of workout. It monitors HR continuously from the handholds (even warns me to slow down when my HR climbs near 150). (I am 62, 170 lbs). I do think the calorie estimates are pretty good and my weighloss over the 40 days I've been on the program are pretty much on schedule: 1 lb every 6 days so far. Good to know in that I am using this as a way to calibrate and sometimes estimate by comparing level of effort and period HR measurements for walking and a home ski machine done without the continuous HR monitoring.

poohpoohpeapod

is it a machine that has the enter age and weight option?

slieber

The machine in terms of calories is not reliable if you only enter weight. Not sure about weight and age, although I have found most machines also to be unreliable when compared with my own HRM.

Heart-rate is usually fine in terms of reliability, though, as long as the machine itself isn't broken (we have some at our gym which DO have unreliable HRMs on them. Most of us hardcore physical folk try not to use them).

I usually come in at 100 cals UNDER what the elliptical says I burned, when using my own HRM to compare.

If you're quite fit, you might want to shave off the cals a bit when entering them on here.

FWIW, I take ballet and pointe classes 6 days a week. What my own HRM says I burn is FAR less than what MFP says I burn. I go with the HRM.

Have you thought about using a "body bug" instead of the chest strap HRM? Not sure if that would take care of the problem as I don't know much about those.

aneedell

is it a machine that has the enter age and weight option?

Yup, see post just before yours.