Cycling (and calorie burning)

Franki261
Franki261 Posts: 10
edited February 8 in Fitness and Exercise
I've seen it said on a few threads that MFP overestimates calories burnt for some activities. If I'm in the gym, this doesn't matter as I can compare the calorie count on the machine with MFP's estimate. But what about cycling?

My commute to work (which I've only done twice but which I'm working up to doing more regularly) is 8.5 miles one way and currently takes me 60 minutes. I cycle at about 10-12mph and, of course, there's a fair amount of stop-start what with traffic lights, junctions, stopping to check directions (like I said, I've only done it twice!). MFP reckons one journey would burn about 250 calories but my cycling app only gives it 131 - going up to 191 on the way home because there's more uphill cycling.

What do you think?

Also, feel free to share any other cycling-related tips, suggestions or general gripes. :)

Replies

  • tonybalony01
    tonybalony01 Posts: 613 Member
    A heart rate monitor would probably give you a better idea of what your actual calorie burn is, but, in this case, go with your app. I use Endomondo to track my rides, and it's more accurate than MFP's estimate but not as accurate as my HRM.
    Enjoy your commute.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Too many variables really - £7000 carbon fibre race bike or 30lb MTB on knobblies for example.....
    If I used exactly the same effort on my different bikes I would be doing very different speeds or if I did the same speed on every bike my calories would be very different.

    I use a heart rate monitor for my rides and find Runkeeper app is fairly close on calorie estimates if you want a no cost option.
    131 - 191 seems very, very low for an hour's riding though.

    (Tip - assume every London car driver is a psychopath and every lorry driver hasn't seen you.)
  • p4ulmiller
    p4ulmiller Posts: 588 Member
    I use a heart rate monitor for my rides and find Runkeeper app is fairly close on calorie estimates if you want a no cost option.
    131 - 191 seems very, very low for an hour's riding though.

    (Tip - assume every London car driver is a psychopath and every lorry driver hasn't seen you.)

    Endomondo with HRM here. Works perfectly well, and calories burned seem to correlate to other online calculators too.

    Also, support the tip!
  • Franki261
    Franki261 Posts: 10
    Cheers guys. I have RunKeeper - I forgot I could use it for cycling too. Nice one.

    I cycle pretty regularly at weekends/for leisure but I'm no bike geek. I just ride a second-hand Raleigh hybrid. It's no looker but it works for me.

    I have just always been put off the 17 mile round-trip to work, especially in the winter. But I'm keen to try because I know it's the absolute easiest way to fit exercise into my day.
  • scorpio516
    scorpio516 Posts: 955 Member
    To be really, really accurate, there are just too many variables - wind, gearing, grade, wind resistance, etc.

    The best guess would require a power meter. For US$1000 you'd measure the watts you are producing to travel at that speed. The conversion to Calories is fairly straight forward and accurate. It's measuring the force you are applying to the pedals, so it doesn't concern itself with speed, wind, etc.

    A cycling GPS computer w/ HR strap would be your next best guess.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I've seen it said on a few threads that MFP overestimates calories burnt for some activities. If I'm in the gym, this doesn't matter as I can compare the calorie count on the machine with MFP's estimate. But what about cycling?

    My commute to work (which I've only done twice but which I'm working up to doing more regularly) is 8.5 miles one way and currently takes me 60 minutes. I cycle at about 10-12mph and, of course, there's a fair amount of stop-start what with traffic lights, junctions, stopping to check directions (like I said, I've only done it twice!). MFP reckons one journey would burn about 250 calories but my cycling app only gives it 131 - going up to 191 on the way home because there's more uphill cycling.

    What do you think?

    Also, feel free to share any other cycling-related tips, suggestions or general gripes. :)

    In the absence of a HRM I'd go with the app. there are tons of variables though...I'd think a couple hundred calories for 8 miles though. I'm a 5'10" 185 lb male and burn 300 - 350 in eight miles depending on grade, wind, if I'm having to work my bike a lot (like on dirt trails), etc. There really are tons of variables.
  • lj3jones
    lj3jones Posts: 94 Member
    MFP way overestimates for me with cycling. I go with what my HRM says (I have ridden with a power meter before and my HRM corresponds pretty well to the powermeter.). I'd love a power meter. drool.
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