cals burned question: HRM wout chest strap or MFP estimate

Jess21684
Jess21684 Posts: 202 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I am in the midst of trying to invest in a HRM with a chest strap but for the mean-time I have been using a HRM (sportline from walmart) wout a chest stap. I hafta press that button and take my own HR as often as possible. I usually stay ontop of taking my HR pretty often while im working out.. my question i suppose is should i still go more off of my HRM (even though it has no chest strap) or MFP?! MFP estimates I burn quite LESS when I jog/run than what i get with my HRM and yes I take my HR as often as possible. . The elliptical is usually the opposite, MFP tells me a big estimate and my HRM does not, which seems logical cause to me i dont feel like my HR gets nearly as high or like im getting in a intense workout. usually with my circuit training and running, I get a higher estimate than mfp (couldnt be a 300 or more difference) do you think i should go more off of the HRM? I have been mostly just going w MFP even though im thinkin im burning more in reality but i figure its safer to go with the lower amount. its better underestimating than to overestimate. just wondering what your thoughts were on it and what i should do when logging my workouts...

Replies

  • Jess21684
    Jess21684 Posts: 202 Member
    i meant (COULD be a 300 or more difference)
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    I would not trust the Sportline HRM without a chest strap. The reason for this is the lack of the ability to input your personal VO2 max, max HR, etc. Those are critical for calculating accurate calories.

    I used to use that exact kind of HRM and was eating my exercise calories back...and not losing weight, sometimes even gaining weight. I decided to use the MFP estimations, which are still just estimations, but I am now losing weight like I should.

    I want to get a Polar F6 HRM and I found one online that's only $89.
  • Jess21684
    Jess21684 Posts: 202 Member
    i usually just go w MFP estimate neways even tho i may burn more. figure its better to go w the lower estimate so even if i DID perhaps burn more, it wouldnt hurt but at least i didnt end up over-eating bc i overestimated although, i really dont think i burn as many cals on the elliptical as MFP says i do, I hardly work-up enough of a sweat doing that machine... I usually only eat back around half my extra calories so that should be ok hopefully
  • Jess21684
    Jess21684 Posts: 202 Member
    I just thought that maybe the HRM would still be a better estimate given the fact that its still somewhat taking me HR. I never take my HR on the machines and I usually dont even enter in my weight or nething, just do the quickstart mode and MFP w no doubt knows what my HR gets up to w these workouts so i thought even the HRM wout a chest strap would be the best guess, thats all
  • GremlinJenny
    GremlinJenny Posts: 151
    i have the polar f4 w/ cheststrap and i love it. i got it for $79 on amazon w/ free shipping. :)

    when i first got my HRM i wanted to test it against MFP numbers and shockingly, they're consistently pretty close! MFP tends to be a little higher, but still not too far off. and ive tried it against dancing, cardio, stretching, calisthentics, kickboxing, jogging. if anything, i would go with the MFP numbers and put in, perhaps 2 minutes less than your actual workout.

    hopes that helps you a lil! good luck!!! xoxo.
  • sarahliftsUP
    sarahliftsUP Posts: 752 Member
    I would go with whichever one gives you the lowest calorie burn until you get a HRM with a chest strap! Even though the HRM is given a higher count for one exercise and MFP is giving a higher count for another.. I'd just continue to go for the lower amount. Better to be underestimating than overestimating.
  • sec820
    sec820 Posts: 40
    I just got the New Balance N4 HRM from Target. $69.99. So far I really like it. Still tinkering with all it's functions. I like it because it it design for a woman, so the watch is smaller, not super bulky. I don't have a gym membership right now, so I am doing exercise videos at home. I had to have something to let me know how much I am burning. Good luck !
  • Jess21684
    Jess21684 Posts: 202 Member
    thx girls! Im just going to keep doing what ive been doing & go with MFP and if my HRM says lower than MFP, ill go w that. im just going w the lower estimate. cant hurt to have burned more than what was logged.. better than overestimating! Im in the midst of purching a HRM w chest strap. been looking on amazon and thinkin of prob getting a Polar..one thats prob on the lower spending range though :/ my mom still owes me a bday gift and is prob throwing in so maybe I can get a little bit of a better one even :D
This discussion has been closed.

Categories