QUESTION: Calories Burned on Elliptical

AlliH621
AlliH621 Posts: 102 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So I have an older elliptical in my basement and I chose to work out on it tonight instead of going to the gym. The machine said I burned 170 calories for 30 min, but MFP says 404. How could they be so far off from each other.

I know MFP factors in my weight, where the machine does not.

Which one should I believe?

Replies

  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Neither. Get a heart rate monitor. The machine doesn't know your weight, gender, fitness level or anything. MFP has no idea the what program you did or your level of intensity so they're both useless.
  • jim2do
    jim2do Posts: 17
    HRM is the way to go. I have the Polar FT7 and LOVE IT.. The machines are usually 30% higher than what you are actually burning.
  • fairc3jam
    fairc3jam Posts: 136 Member
    The resistance and incline should be taken into consideration .. Oh and the Rpm too.
  • AlliH621
    AlliH621 Posts: 102 Member
    Thanks - that makes sense. Yeah we have been considering buying a heart rate monitor very soon - any opinion on ones that sync up to iphones? We are holding out for the new iphone 5, so maybe we should wait.
    HRM is the way to go. I have the Polar FT7 and LOVE IT.. The machines are usually 30% higher than what you are actually burning.
  • jim2do
    jim2do Posts: 17
    Not sure about any that sink up with the iPhone, but when you get ready to buy one, check out heartratemonitorsusa.com. I shopped extensively and this is by far the cheapest place to get them.

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