Heart Rate

HealthyMakeover
HealthyMakeover Posts: 142 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
When I am using the elliptical, I notice that my heart rate doesn't really get pumping like it does when I go for a brisk walk.
Oddly enough, MFP says that I'd burn more calories using an elliptical than walking. Generally, walking gets my heart beating faster.

My question is, can your workout still burn a significant amount of calories even if you don't notice an intense heart rate?

According to many ' average calories burned' calculators, an elliptical is more efficient to burn calories than walking.

I want to add that I do not have an HRM, and I do understand that MFP's estimation on calories burned are not exactly accurate. But even if the calories were off, an elliptical still would burn more calories.

Back to my original question --- How close is the relationship between a more efficient workout (burning calories), and the heart rate?



Thanks in advance. :smile:

Replies

  • _Fly_
    _Fly_ Posts: 25 Member
    The most efficient workout does not always mean the most possible calories burnt. But to answer your question: the higher your heart rate gets, the more calories you will burn.
  • HealthyMakeover
    HealthyMakeover Posts: 142 Member
    Thank you!
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    When I am using the elliptical, I notice that my heart rate doesn't really get pumping like it does when I go for a brisk walk.
    Oddly enough, MFP says that I'd burn more calories using an elliptical than walking. Generally, walking gets my heart beating faster.

    My question is, can your workout still burn a significant amount of calories even if you don't notice an intense heart rate?

    According to many ' average calories burned' calculators, an elliptical is more efficient to burn calories than walking.

    I want to add that I do not have an HRM, and I do understand that MFP's estimation on calories burned are not exactly accurate. But even if the calories were off, an elliptical still would burn more calories.

    Back to my original question --- How close is the relationship between a more efficient workout (burning calories), and the heart rate?



    Thanks in advance. :smile:

    Heart rate is only one of many factors in caloric burn. If it were the only factor, scary movies and roller coasters would serve as great weight loss plans. :smile:

    If you were to compare caloric burn between heart rates while performing the same activity, the higher rate is usually a higher caloric burn (there are exceptions). Comparing differing heart rates realized while performing different activities has too many variables for a linear relationship. Walking and an elliptical use different muscle groups, provide a different level of resistance, etc. It's akin to expecting two different cars on different roads to burn the same amount of fuel based solely on RPM.

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