Which calorie count is correct?

GatorLex82
GatorLex82 Posts: 9
in Health and Weight Loss
To calculate my calories burned I use Nike + and the Map My Run app, and also sometimes use a heart rate monitor (which doesn't always work so I'm not sure how it's calculating the calories, seems to be average of 10/minute), and each gives a different number so I'm not sure which is accurate. Does anyone know which would be the best to use or is there another (cheap easy) way to calculate calories accurately? I usually underestimate just to be safe, but sometimes there is a 100-200 calorie discrepancy and that concerns me.

Thanks!

Replies

  • stephiehampshire
    stephiehampshire Posts: 160
    I have the same issue so as a rule I go by the lowest one

    I use Map My Ride and it logged one of my rides at 800 calories, when I put the duration and speed on MFP it came out with 550 calories

    I am going to get myself a HRM when I can afford one and use that

    I think the important thing is consistancy, so pick one to use as a measurement and stick with it,
  • grimendale
    grimendale Posts: 2,153 Member
    I have typically found that my HRM and Map My Run are in pretty good agreement (haven't tried the Nike+ app). If the discrepancy is 100-200, taking the lower calorie count should be perfectly fine. Depending on the length of your run, that may not be a huge discrepancy.
  • steve2kay
    steve2kay Posts: 194 Member
    I have a HRM but that still varies. I did some experiments on my bike trainer with it when I had a fixed workout, distance, resistance etc but my heart rate still varied depending on how tired I was, how hydrated etc.

    I find that my Heart Rate monitor tends to agree with endomondo (an app on my phone) for things like running - but can vary for cycling where I can freewheel.

    I've also noticed that when endomondo talks to MFP it seems to pass on just the time/distance and MFP recalculates the calories. So today's workout at 500 calories became 800 when it got to MFP.
  • suzyfj8
    suzyfj8 Posts: 257 Member
    I would take the lowest value to be on the side of cautious or you could take the average?
  • Carmella9
    Carmella9 Posts: 171 Member
    I have been running using nike+ for a while now and also treadmill which correlate very accuratly.
    My average calories burned is 105 calories per mile (running at 10.5 minute mile pace).
    Hope this helps!

    So if you also run at around 10.5 use 100 calories per mile run as a rule of thumb.
  • steve2kay
    steve2kay Posts: 194 Member
    Just checked the details from my run today:
    Endomondo had it at 400 calories,
    MFP thought it was nearer 600.
    The treadmill said 150ish.
    My HRM said about 400 (about 100 per km for me, or 13 per minute).

    I generally use Endomondo as it seems to most often match my HRM, but it seems like that's not a common experience.
  • GatorLex82
    GatorLex82 Posts: 9
    Thanks. I guess there really is no way to know for sure (without some sophisticated scientific equipment that would be ridiculous!!). I will just keep kind of comparing the HRM, Nike +, and MFP to use an average (on the lower end) just to make sure I don't overestimate. I'd much rather think I only burned 200 cals and do another workout for more than to feel content with something that wasn't accurate.

    Thanks!

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