Timex HRM Accuracy...mine seems off not sure...

KylaDenay
KylaDenay Posts: 1,585 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone. I use a Timex HRM with my workouts. Yesterday I did the 2 mile 32 minute Walk Away the Pounds video on youtube. I was sweating good and I put extra emphasis into it when working out.

Anyway when I calculate that into MFP at a 4.0 brisk walk it comes out to 197 calories. My heart rate monitor said I burned 400 calories. This drives me crazy that I wear this so that I can have a more accurate read on my calories burned and it seems off :(. My heart rate reads correct on the monitor, I just do not know why the calories burned are so high. I weigh 163 and am 5'3.

Does anyone else have that problem or have experienced this with their HRM?

Replies

  • jlahorn
    jlahorn Posts: 377 Member
    Yeah, that calorie expenditure is way too high for what you're doing.

    What does it say for your actual heart rate? Does it give you highs, lows, and amounts of time spent in various ranges? This could help tell you if the device is just defective. I haven't seen the video you're using, and of course heart rate varies from person to person, but I'd guess you'd be in the 115-140 bpm range.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Does that HRM have a chest strap? Does it allow you to enter height, weight, age, gender?

    Somewhere around 200 is going to be more accurate going by the average 100 cal per mile.
  • KylaDenay
    KylaDenay Posts: 1,585 Member
    Yes the monitor does have a chest strap. It does allow me to enter my weight, height, age, etc. My heart rate while working out with it last night was between 130 - 140. It does have ranges.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    How to test HRM for accuracy

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/774337-how-to-test-hrm-for-how-accurate-calorie-burn-is
  • robertdc50
    robertdc50 Posts: 50
    My Timex HRM always gives a higher calorie burn than MFP, but it's based on actual readings, not estimates so I consider it to be the more accurate of the two. Having said that, it's never been twice as high, sometimes as much as 25% more. Assuming you have the strap positioned properly and your correct weight entered into the watch, it should be pretty accurate. It gets excellent ratings for accuracy from organizations that measure and rate these things.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    My Timex HRM always gives a higher calorie burn than MFP, but it's based on actual readings, not estimates so I consider it to be the more accurate of the two. Having said that, it's never been twice as high, sometimes as much as 25% more. Assuming you have the strap positioned properly and your correct weight entered into the watch, it should be pretty accurate. It gets excellent ratings for accuracy from organizations that measure and rate these things.

    400 calories in 32 minutes at her weight is extremely high. Even running the whole time would probably not result in that high of a burn.

    It is important to note that accuracy for a HRM is usually in relation to how accurate they monitor HR, that is what they are designed to do. Calorie estimations are secondary and any number of variables can affect it.
  • KylaDenay
    KylaDenay Posts: 1,585 Member
    How to test HRM for accuracy

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/774337-how-to-test-hrm-for-how-accurate-calorie-burn-is


    This will help me a lot. I will check it out when I get home. Thank you!
  • weightlifter01
    weightlifter01 Posts: 564 Member
    I used to use a Timex. It recorded insanely high burn rates. I have gone to a Polar and the burn rates are much more reasonable.

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