We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

MFP cals burned est vs gym equipment calculations

snowrose3
snowrose3 Posts: 22 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
When I use the equipment at the gym and it asks me for my weight n age etc...then calculates my calories burned I get a much different number than when I enter in the activity and amnt of time performed on MFP. Why is this? MFP knows my weight n age too...usually MFP is 100+ calories more per hr of activity. Which estimation is more accurate?

Replies

  • jwatson7
    jwatson7 Posts: 58 Member
    Honestly the best way to determine how many calories you are burning is to get a heart rate monitor. That is going to give you the best estimate.
  • cuteypolice
    cuteypolice Posts: 32 Member
    where do you get a heart rate monitor?
  • MTBrob
    MTBrob Posts: 513 Member
    Most sporting good stores.... Google heart rate monitor.. you will find all the answers you seek.
  • McLifterPants
    McLifterPants Posts: 457 Member
    You can order one on Amazon. I have a Polar FT4 that was like $60 that I like a lot.
  • Americanpeanut
    Americanpeanut Posts: 17 Member
    My husband and I have Polar HRMs and they are really great. We do kettleworx daily and the amount MFP had us burning was drastically different from our HRMs. Definitely give the HRMs a try! Have fun!
  • YoungDoc2B
    YoungDoc2B Posts: 1,593 Member
    If all else fails, just average the two numbers. You don't necessarily have to buy a HRM because they're not 100% accurate,anyway.
  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,559 Member
    I wear a heart rate monitor, this way i go by what it says, not what a machine or mfp tells me. sometimes it's higher, sometimes lower, depending on the machine. going by that monitor keeps me honest.
  • ashlielinn
    ashlielinn Posts: 920
    If the machine also tracks your heart rate, it will be more accurate. MFP estimations are WAYYYY too high! If you want to be completely sure, get an HRM!
  • snowrose3
    snowrose3 Posts: 22 Member
    Ok, thnx everyone! I guess I'll look into getting a heart rate monitor :)
    @ashlielinn: that is my opinion too. I usually log what the machine says
This discussion has been closed.

Categories