logging cardio workouts

funsteps
funsteps Posts: 74 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I recently started going to the gym again and I'd like to log my cardio workouts but I'm always afraid that the number of calories that the machines tell me I've burned is too high. When I go to plug it in MFP, the number they suggest is even higher. I always use the number that the machine gives me... How safe do you think that is? How much do you generally adjust just in case the machine is wrong?

I know a HRM is the best solution to this but I would like to get a nice one and it's just not in my budget at the moment... I'm hoping to get one within the next couple of months, but I need to figure out what to do in the meantime!

Replies

  • howardheilweil
    howardheilweil Posts: 604 Member
    You are right to be skeptical of those numbers. Without a HRM, use a very conservative number for your calorie burn. My unscientific method is to take the lowest of the 2 and subtract 20%. I am open for other ideas as well. Good luck!
  • amyballenger
    amyballenger Posts: 2 Member
    I was told that unless you can program your weight, age, and gender into the machine, you can bet it's probably wrong. Most machines calorie count is based on 150 lb, 5'5" person or something like that.

    I don't have a HRM either so I use the number that MFP gives me because all that is being taken into consideration.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Use the machine reading, not MFP default as the machine's info is based on your actual workout.

    Some machines are better than others....treadmills are actually pretty accurate, sometimes more accurate than HRMs. Ellipticals can be all over the place, I would assume its ~25% high. I don't know that much about bikes because I hate them personally, but I would guess that their accuracy is probably similar to treadmills, but that's just a guess based on the fact that they've been around and been studied forever and it's a standard movement pattern, unlike ellipticals where the actual movement and settings are unique to the machine.
  • funsteps
    funsteps Posts: 74 Member
    I was told that unless you can program your weight, age, and gender into the machine, you can bet it's probably wrong. Most machines calorie count is based on 150 lb, 5'5" person.

    I don't have a HRM either so I use the number that MFP gives me because all that is being taken into consideration.

    I always enter weight/age into the machine but I don't recall it asking for gender, which I'm sure makes a difference!
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    I was told that unless you can program your weight, age, and gender into the machine, you can bet it's probably wrong. Most machines calorie count is based on 150 lb, 5'5" person or something like that.

    I don't have a HRM either so I use the number that MFP gives me because all that is being taken into consideration.

    This!^

    The more data you plug into the machine ..... the more accurate it's going to be.

    If you don't plug in gender for example ....... the machine has to "assume" one or the other. Well, men burn more calories because they have more muscle mass.

    Something the machine cannot know ....... your exertion level. Over time you will become more fit ..... and burn fewer calories. If you're way out of shape, you'll burn lots. This is where a HRM comes in handy (get one with a chest strap) ..... it knows your resting heart rate.

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