Which should I trust more HRM or machines?

HRM is real, machines are only a estimation, and they estimate way high all the time.

Go by the HRM. The machines are notorious for overestimating calorie burn.

I have a BMF, which can show calories burned for a workout. In order to get the treadmill to show about the same calorie burn as the BMF, I have to take 30 pounds off of the weight that I input into the machine.

According to some medical lab studies, an HRM often reads about 9% higher than true burn, but the machines are even worse. Go by your HRM. If you're concerned about accountability, subtract 9% from your HRM reading. I always figure it's better to overestimate food and underestimate exercise. I subtract 10% from my HRM.

Also, don't forget to update your weight in your HRM. I update mine every time I lose five pounds.

According to some medical lab studies, an HRM often reads about 9% higher than true burn, but the machines are even worse. Go by your HRM. If you're concerned about accountability, subtract 9% from your HRM reading. I always figure it's better to overestimate food and underestimate exercise. I subtract 10% from my HRM.

Also, don't forget to update your weight in your HRM. I update mine every time I lose five pounds.

The comments in here are spot on. Overestimate food and underestimate exercise...it's a true zen saying. Oh by the way, go by the HRM

HRM always

HRM is way more accurate, be aware though that even the best HRM's are only around 75% accurate

The machines and the HRM are estimations. What is helpful is to be consistent on your logging using one method. My HRM (chest band) actually works with the Precor machines and gives about the same as the machine. Estimation programs like Noom, Endimondo etc don't know the intensity of things like inclines and tend to be less accurate. Using a consistent method is better than switching them up.

HRM

The machines and the HRM are estimations. What is helpful is to be consistent on your logging using one method. My HRM (chest band) actually works with the Precor machines and gives about the same as the machine. Estimation programs like Noom, Endimondo etc don't know the intensity of things like inclines and tend to be less accurate. Using a consistent method is better than switching them up.

Exactly. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't much matter which you use. It matters far more that you are consistent. Pick one and use it. Then after a month or so you can gauge your results. If you are calculating a calorie deficit but gaining/maintaining, then your estimates are likely off (eating more than you think and/or burning less than you think). If you are calculating a surplus but are lose, then your estimates are likely off (eating less than you think and/or burning more than you think). Tweak as necessary.

According to some medical lab studies, an HRM often reads about 9% higher than true burn, but the machines are even worse. Go by your HRM. If you're concerned about accountability, subtract 9% from your HRM reading. I always figure it's better to overestimate food and underestimate exercise. I subtract 10% from my HRM.

Also, don't forget to update your weight in your HRM. I update mine every time I lose five pounds.

The comments in here are spot on. Overestimate food and underestimate exercise...it's a true zen saying. Oh by the way, go by the HRM

Overestimate food that you're unsure of. When you measure it yourself, no need to estimate.

I have found that at the gym, the elliptical and the arc trainer over estimate. The Treadmill is fairly close. The bike is underestimated by a great deal. This is in comparison to my Polar FT4 readings.

HRM

Why does everyone assume an HRM is more accurate than the machine? Because it's some fancy, expensive gadget? All these posts saying "the gym machine said X, my HRM said Y... the gym machine was way off." How do you know the HRM isn't way off?

According to some medical lab studies, an HRM often reads about 9% higher than true burn, but the machines are even worse. Go by your HRM. If you're concerned about accountability, subtract 9% from your HRM reading. I always figure it's better to overestimate food and underestimate exercise. I subtract 10% from my HRM.

Also, don't forget to update your weight in your HRM. I update mine every time I lose five pounds.

The comments in here are spot on. Overestimate food and underestimate exercise...it's a true zen saying. Oh by the way, go by the HRM

Overestimate food that you're unsure of. When you measure it yourself, no need to estimate.

I have found that at the gym, the elliptical and the arc trainer over estimate. The Treadmill is fairly close. The bike is underestimated by a great deal. This is in comparison to my Polar FT4 readings.

I found that, the cross trainer (it's what we call ellipitcals over here) were massively over- nearly 200 calories on some machines but the treadmill was either on the dot or just under- compared to my HRM at least. I think it's a version of the Polar systems, MyZone belt- you don't get a watch display though but it was only like £30 and I only use it in the gym (where they have the sensors to pick up the HRM readouts) so I don't mind.

Yes, I agree. I should have clarified. If you measure your food, you probably don't need to overestimate. I was talking about those times you can't measure and have to "eye it". (Like knowing 3 ounces of meat is about the size of a deck of playing cards, stuff like that.)

My Polar FT4 is really easy to use, and it syncs with the Life Fitness machines at my gym. I like that I can see my heart rate on the machine instead of having to look at my wrist every minute.