Polar FT4 vs MFP ?

shanster23
shanster23 Posts: 144 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So I just ordered a new Polar FT4 which arrived today.
So, I went ahead and did the c25k with it on to compare to the calorie burn that MFP gives me (working on overall milage).

Usually I put in around 210 calories for doing the c25k, going off MFP.
However the Polar ft4 gave me a calorie burn of 450, which is more than double! That just doesn't seem right to me?

Does having walking/jogging intervals affect the accuracy? I'd love to believe I burned 450 but that seems quite high!

Replies

  • lindzgayle
    lindzgayle Posts: 131 Member
    I've heard that you can estimate about 100 cals/ mile. Of course, this depends a lot on your size. I think 450 is a fair representation of what you could have burned. :)

    EDIT: MFP never matches the calories my HRM gives me, but it's usually the other way around. At the very least, you can average the two.
  • Polarpaly05
    Polarpaly05 Posts: 74 Member
    Does having walking/jogging intervals affect the accuracy? I'd love to believe I burned 450 but that seems quite high!

    Yes. HRM's are designed for steady state cardio. You will not get an entirely accurate number while doing intervals.
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    Does having walking/jogging intervals affect the accuracy? I'd love to believe I burned 450 but that seems quite high!

    Yes. HRM's are designed for steady state cardio. You will not get an entirely accurate number while doing intervals.

    Why not? The HRM detects your heart rate as it speeds up and slows down, doesn't it? I'm not trying to be snarky, just thought this was the purpose of a HRM.
  • lindzgayle
    lindzgayle Posts: 131 Member
    Does having walking/jogging intervals affect the accuracy? I'd love to believe I burned 450 but that seems quite high!

    Yes. HRM's are designed for steady state cardio. You will not get an entirely accurate number while doing intervals.

    Why not? The HRM detects your heart rate as it speeds up and slows down, doesn't it? I'm not trying to be snarky, just thought this was the purpose of a HRM.
    Because of the afterburn effect, I think. It will accurately gauge what you burn DURING the exercise, but not what your body burns through afterwards.

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