Don't know what to think

CalamaD
CalamaD Posts: 18 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm confused.... For years I have been doing a step class once a week. It is the only real cardio class that I take, but I do run when I feel the need for a little something more than I get from my other weight and conditioning type classes. I take it because I enjoy it and I am friends with the instructor. She changes the routine every 3 weeks so it varies in choreography and intensity quite a bit. And it is considered an advanced step class. Anyway..... My question comes from my recent Polar readings. Over the years, I have consistently burned around 500-600 cals per class. However for the last couple of months, that number is more like 400-450. I am no more fit today than before, so I don't think it can be explained by fitness level. My heart rate even seems to be around the same BPM as when I was burning more cals. Any ideas why the change?

And fwiw, I know that 5-600 cals/class seems like a lot. My heart rate jumps up quickly when I am doing high intensity cardio. It has been checked separately by a cardiologist and a pulmonologist and I am very healthy. Just an oddity of mine, I guess.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Replies

  • BarbieAS
    BarbieAS Posts: 1,414 Member
    Could it be as simple as the actual HRM starting to crap out? Maybe try replacing the battery or even getting a new model, depending on how long you've had it?
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Just without any data, I'd think intensity is different.

    I'd also expect adaptation has increased your efficiency, resulting in lower energy expenditure.
  • jlahorn
    jlahorn Posts: 377 Member
    And fwiw, I know that 5-600 cals/class seems like a lot. My heart rate jumps up quickly when I am doing high intensity cardio. It has been checked separately by a cardiologist and a pulmonologist and I am very healthy. Just an oddity of mine, I guess.

    No comment on the rest of it, but 5-600 calories for a high-intensity cardio class like step or Zumba is pretty normal, assuming it's about an hour :)
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member


    I'd also expect adaptation has increased your efficiency, resulting in lower energy expenditure.

    Probably this
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    Could it be as simple as the actual HRM starting to crap out? Maybe try replacing the battery or even getting a new model, depending on how long you've had it?



    I have worn out two Polar FT7s and that's about what happens. It starts missing heartbeats so it doesn't register a calorie burn. But before you go complain to the company...change the batteries. This is also what happens when batteries die.



    I think I'm over the HRM thing, I know from use about what I burn for which activities and duration.
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    If you're not more fit today than before, what do the classes do for you?
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    If you're not more fit today than before, what do the classes do for you?

    Barring the fun and enjoyment aspect, I think that is a good question.
  • CalamaD
    CalamaD Posts: 18 Member
    Fair question.... I guess what I meant was that my diet and exercise have been pretty consistent for many years. I suppose you're right that some increase in fitness level is to be expected. Just not sure why the sudden change.

    Thinking the batteries might be good option. Using the FT7 and it is fairly new, so I don't think it is crapping out yet. :)
  • CalamaD
    CalamaD Posts: 18 Member
    If you're not more fit today than before, what do the classes do for you?

    Barring the fun and enjoyment aspect, I think that is a good question.

    Sorry, I'm kind of new to this posting stuff.... This is the question I was referring to.
  • CalamaD
    CalamaD Posts: 18 Member
    And fwiw, I know that 5-600 cals/class seems like a lot. My heart rate jumps up quickly when I am doing high intensity cardio. It has been checked separately by a cardiologist and a pulmonologist and I am very healthy. Just an oddity of mine, I guess.

    No comment on the rest of it, but 5-600 calories for a high-intensity cardio class like step or Zumba is pretty normal, assuming it's about an hour :)

    Yep! 1 hour. Good to know that I'm not such an oddball after all!
  • CalamaD
    CalamaD Posts: 18 Member


    I'd also expect adaptation has increased your efficiency, resulting in lower energy expenditure.

    Probably this

    Guess I shouldn't complain. If this is true, it's a good problem to have!
  • civilizedworm
    civilizedworm Posts: 796 Member
    Age maybe a factor.
  • BlueButterfly94
    BlueButterfly94 Posts: 303 Member
    Just without any data, I'd think intensity is different.

    I'd also expect adaptation has increased your efficiency, resulting in lower energy expenditure.
    This! I'm always having to increase the amount I do with each workout.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Fair question.... I guess what I meant was that my diet and exercise have been pretty consistent for many years. I suppose you're right that some increase in fitness level is to be expected. Just not sure why the sudden change.

    Thinking the batteries might be good option. Using the FT7 and it is fairly new, so I don't think it is crapping out yet. :)

    Ok, so has this change just been since you started using the FT7? What kind of HRM were you using before? Perhaps the previous model was overestimating?

    Also, make sure you're following usage and cleaning guidelines for the HRM. If you don't have your user guide, you can download one from the Polar website pretty easily. Feel free to message me if you have any trouble.
  • CalamaD
    CalamaD Posts: 18 Member
    Age maybe a factor.

    Damn it..... Having just turned 45 earlier this year, was trying to ignore age as a possible factor. :sad:
  • CalamaD
    CalamaD Posts: 18 Member
    Fair question.... I guess what I meant was that my diet and exercise have been pretty consistent for many years. I suppose you're right that some increase in fitness level is to be expected. Just not sure why the sudden change.

    Thinking the batteries might be good option. Using the FT7 and it is fairly new, so I don't think it is crapping out yet. :)

    Ok, so has this change just been since you started using the FT7? What kind of HRM were you using before? Perhaps the previous model was overestimating?

    Also, make sure you're following usage and cleaning guidelines for the HRM. If you don't have your user guide, you can download one from the Polar website pretty easily. Feel free to message me if you have any trouble.

    From one Polar F7 to a new Polar FT7. Old model was pretty old though, so maybe it was over estimating some. Thanks for the cleaning tip!
  • xmichaelyx
    xmichaelyx Posts: 883 Member
    If you're not more fit today than before, what do the classes do for you?

    This question implies that everyone will constantly improve when taking classes, which is clearly wrong.

    There's nothing wrong with maintaining one's current fitness level, if one's goal is to maintain.

    Also, I trust fitness devices to be accurate to within about 50%, and that's begin generous. OP is within the margin of error. :-)
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    If you're not more fit today than before, what do the classes do for you?

    This question implies that everyone will constantly improve when taking classes, which is clearly wrong.
    No it doesn't.
  • civilizedworm
    civilizedworm Posts: 796 Member
    Age maybe a factor.

    Damn it..... Having just turned 45 earlier this year, was trying to ignore age as a possible factor. :sad:
    43 for me! But you look fantastic!

    I have the Cal Plus app for my iPad and when figuring out how much a such-n-such-what-have-you exercise has burned, the app will require your age. I tried different ages, the burn was always different.

    Sometimes not by much, but different.
  • whitebalance
    whitebalance Posts: 1,654 Member
    Some comparison reviews I've read indicated occasional problems where a strap-based monitor would lose signal for a while... That could make a difference if it happened during your workout. Maybe consult this checklist from Polar, if you haven't already?
    http://www.polar.com/us-en/support/Abnormal_Heart_Rate_Readings_During_Exercise

    ETA: 45? D, you're a youngster. :wink:
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    Your ticker shows you have lost 24 lbs, but you don't indicate if that is more recent or if you have been maintaining for a while. As you lose weight, your body burns fewer calories because it's not hauling around as much. That could be another factor.
  • CalamaD
    CalamaD Posts: 18 Member
    Age maybe a factor.

    Damn it..... Having just turned 45 earlier this year, was trying to ignore age as a possible factor. :sad:
    43 for me! But you look fantastic!

    I have the Cal Plus app for my iPad and when figuring out how much a such-n-such-what-have-you exercise has burned, the app will require your age. I tried different ages, the burn was always different.

    Sometimes not by much, but different.

    Awwww.. Thanks and right back at ya! I'll check out the Cal Plus app. Can never have too many tools in the arsenal.
  • CalamaD
    CalamaD Posts: 18 Member
    Some comparison reviews I've read indicated occasional problems where a strap-based monitor would lose signal for a while... That could make a difference if it happened during your workout. Maybe consult this checklist from Polar, if you haven't already?
    http://www.polar.com/us-en/support/Abnormal_Heart_Rate_Readings_During_Exercise

    ETA: 45? D, you're a youngster. :wink:

    Thanks, my friend! I do find that it is losing signal sometimes. Hadn't really considered that as a factor. As far as age, just working hard so I can rock a body like yours! ;)
  • tcamp02
    tcamp02 Posts: 61 Member
    I can easily burn in the 500-600 range for an hour of TurboFire or Insanity so that seems reasonable. Have you lost weight? Lighter people burn less calories. Otherwise I would say you are either unintentionally doing it at a lower intensity or possibly your HRM is cutting out sometimes during the class and losing your heart rate. When I needed a new strap, mine was doing that.
  • CalamaD
    CalamaD Posts: 18 Member
    Your ticker shows you have lost 24 lbs, but you don't indicate if that is more recent or if you have been maintaining for a while. As you lose weight, your body burns fewer calories because it's not hauling around as much. That could be another factor.

    Thanks for the input. My loss was about 5 years ago. I have varied +/- 5 lbs over the years, but I stay pretty close to 120 most of the time.

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