Runtastic pedometer vs. MFP

jspollner
jspollner Posts: 4
in Fitness and Exercise
I've seen this questions posed a few times but no answer! I'm getting a pretty big difference in calories burned using my runtastic iphone pedometer vs. MFP. I'm also pushing two babies in a double stroller so I want to think that is why the pedometer is showing more calories burned?! Which is more accurate? My pedometer gives
me 50 more calories for a 30 minute walk than MFP does...

Replies

  • Lonestar5775
    Lonestar5775 Posts: 740 Member
    I think Runtastic is GPS based meaning it can take into account inclines you encounter during your walk and that may be why it is allowing more calories than the MFP database. You might also try Endomondo which is GPS based and see if it comes close to Runtastic. That may help narrow down your answer.

    Most people choose to opt for the lesser calorie burn to be on the safe side but I know sometimes an extra 50 calories makes a difference at the end of the day. Either way, kudos to you for getting active! :happy:
  • robertdc50
    robertdc50 Posts: 50
    To start, 50 calories over the course of a day isn't really significant so I wouldn't sweat it too much. As to your question, I'm no expert but I too find sometimes significant (25% or more) differences between on-site devices such as pedometers and HRM's and the MFP estimates. I usually opt to let MFP enter it's own calorie burn for the sake of consistency, but I believe that your devices are in fact more accurate. MFP data are estimates based on standard parameters, but individual devices can measure actual conditions and the variances that MFP can't take into account. In your case, pushing the stroller may affect the actual calorie burn. In my case, the HRM measures actual heart-rate and calculates calorie burn from that. Terrain (i.e hills, etc.), speed, and other environmental conditions may affect calorie burn significantly, but will also provide a more accurate calculation.

    I don't know if that explains it satisfactorily, but I would take your personal devices as being more accurate than MFP estimates, all other factors being equal.
  • jspollner
    jspollner Posts: 4
    Thanks - great answers! I want credit for pushing those babies - 58lbs combined! - so I'll take the pedometer reading but maybe not use all those calories if I don't need too. Love this app. Back to my pre-pregnancy weight today! Yay!

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