does my treadmill give me the correct calories burned?

karenj1963
karenj1963 Posts: 2
in Fitness and Exercise
hi all, i walk on my treadmill every day, usually walk between 5-8 miles, and the treadmill, gives, time taken, heart rate, speed and calories burned. it says that 1 mile = 120 calories.

is this correct, as i try and eat over half the calories back, over the day, but my friend has just said that you only burn 50 calories per mile, i walk at 3.5 - 4.0 mile per hr. and usually do about 40 mins at a time, a few times a day.

Replies

  • 12by311
    12by311 Posts: 1,716 Member
    No. The treadmill won't give you an accurate reading.
  • hikezilla
    hikezilla Posts: 174 Member
    I have an elliptical machine, and according to it I walk off about 10 calories a minute at my normal pace. I usually try to go for 40 minutes or 400 calories on the thing, depending on which comes first. If I go slower it counts fewer calories....not sure I really trust it for accuracy but it does help me to set some number goals.
  • Kyog
    Kyog Posts: 32
    I always just go by estimating that every mile you walk/run burns roughly 100 calories.

    I'd try to find the exercise for walking on here, and enter the length of time you did it for. I don't really trust the machine's data.
  • Deb_622
    Deb_622 Posts: 694
    Hi, no, the treadmill will not give you an accurate reading. It will adjust (just as an elliptical machine will do as well) the calories depending on how fast you go, but they are usually a higher reading than what you are actually burning. They usually don't take into account your age, weight and sex - which is needed to get an accurate reading.

    For example, I have a heart rate monitor and used it for the first time with my treadmill yesterday. My HRM said I burned 466 calories and the treadmill said 613
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    Most likely not. I know the elliptical says I burn 10 calories a minute but I call BS, because I do much more intense cardio and burn less than that. I don't see why the treadmill would be any different. A heart rate monitor would give a more accurate number, but nothing is 100%.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Height, weight, age, gender, exertion level and more......are used to calculate calorie burns.

    How much data do you plug into the machine? The machine can't know your exertion level because what may be a hard workout for you would be an easy workout for someone else. MFP is also an estimate......many people feel MPF numbers are "generous." This is why people over ride the calorie burns given....take a % off the top.

    Heart rate monitors (HRM) are better estimates for steady state cardio.....a treadmill would qualify. If you decide on a HRM look for a model with a chest strap....those compare your resting heart rate against your heart rate while working out....constantly.
  • JohnDowding
    JohnDowding Posts: 46 Member
    I agree with the other posters, just wanted to add that it's nearly impossible to get a really accurate reading, the best any of these tools is giving you is an estimate. I heart-rate monitor may give you a better estimate, but still, I wouldn't rely on it down to the calories.

    That said, I have a Polor FT7 HRM, and some of the gym machines pick it up wirelessly as well. I tend to trust the gym machine+HRM more than either alone.

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