HRM doesn't match MFP

Kbelle2607 · July 2014

Got in 3 miles today! I live in South Louisiana where it's a million degrees outside and always humid so I ran half and walked half. My HRM says I burned 386 calories but when I added my cardio manually into MFP by adding the time I walked and ran, it only adds up to 226. Should I stick with my HRM or go conservative and stick with the lower number? My calorie goal in MFP is 1200/day but I can average anywhere from 1300-1500 a day and still lose weight so I'm not worried about the calories too much. The only issue I have is that 160 calories seems like a big difference. Anyone else run into this issue? I suppose I could average the numbers but I'd like to hear how others have handled this. Thanks in advance for any insight or tips you can give me!

shadowjack1965 · July 2014

Happens to me and I usually err on the side of the treadmill and just adjust my time to match. If that doesn't work well then stick with MFP.

Chevy_Quest · July 2014

Hi!

funny you should mention that... I had the same query to myself recently!

(I am still learning) :drinker:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1348299-snap-i-have-been-wrong-about-calorie-burns

brianpperkins · July 2014

http://www.runnersworld.com/weight-loss/how-many-calories-are-you-really-burning?page=single

Run/walk mixes result in elevated caloric estimates from HRMs. Your heart rate rises during the run with the increased effort level then you start walking but your heart rate remains high without the same biomechanics and exertion level ... and the HRM has no way of differentiating since all it does is count heart beats and plug that data into a formula based on what activity you tell it you're doing.

Kbelle2607 · July 2014

Thanks for the info, brianpperkins!

monolith66 · July 2014

*Cough*..... BodyMedia fit Link.. *cough, cough, ahem..*

carnavore · July 2014

Go conservative. Conservative girls do it better anyways...WHAT?!?

Chevy_Quest · July 2014

http://www.runnersworld.com/weight-loss/how-many-calories-are-you-really-burning?page=single

Run/walk mixes result in elevated caloric estimates from HRMs. Your heart rate rises during the run with the increased effort level then you start walking but your heart rate remains high without the same biomechanics and exertion level ... and the HRM has no way of differentiating since all it does is count heart beats and plug that data into a formula based on what activity you tell it you're doing.

@BrianPerkins
Very well put and the easiest to understand explanation of the "artificially Heart Rates" I have seen.

Thanks! :drinker:

HRM doesn't match MFP

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