Calories burned on the elliptical doesn't match

LadyScarlett77
LadyScarlett77 Posts: 26
edited September 24 in Fitness and Exercise
I worked out at the gym last night doing 38 minutes on the elliptical machine. The machine at the gym said I burned 475 calories, but when I plugged in my time on MFP it said calories burned were over 800. That can't be right. Has anyone else run into the same problem? If so, which is more accurate?

Replies

  • Tandksmommy11
    Tandksmommy11 Posts: 399 Member
    Do you input your weight into the elliptical before you start?
  • Lisa__Michelle
    Lisa__Michelle Posts: 845 Member
    Neither is really accurate but I would use the machine's over MFP because all MFP does is take someone who initially put it in (they could have been 140 lbs or 300 lbs, they could have been male or female, etc) and use their heartrate's calorie burn to find it out because they initially put it in the database. That is why I invested in a heart rate monitor because you will never get an accurate calorie burn without one.
  • ildi59
    ildi59 Posts: 65 Member
    Neither is accurate. The best way to know your real calorie burn is get a heart rate monitor. When I get on the treadmill, do a 30 min program, the treadmill will show 243 cals burned, my HRM shows 171, my fiance doing the same program might burn 270 cals. It's is different for everyone depending on your age, size, fitness level. HRM is the way to go!
  • beachylook
    beachylook Posts: 2
    Yep, I have found the same thing with my stationery bike and my treadmill. I usually take the lower number (in my mind when figuring out my calories, etc.) just to be safe. But I have to say, I have checked out other sites like this one and their calorie burn totals are even higher than this one.
  • wriglucy
    wriglucy Posts: 1,064 Member
    Yeah...a HRM works best. But, if you don't have one, or want to buy one, I would go with MFP because it actually takes into consideration your age, weight, and gender.

    Good job burning all those calories!
  • LadyScarlett77
    LadyScarlett77 Posts: 26
    Thanks everyone! That really helps. Looks like I'll be investing in a HRM. : ) Best wishes to all!
  • dababers
    dababers Posts: 135
    Did 39 minute on the elliptical yesterday and it gave me 508 calories. Did you plug your height/weight and age into the elliptical machine? The numbers MFP give you are based on those numbers. Just a thought.
  • AshliKrasz
    AshliKrasz Posts: 31 Member
    I use the website as opposed to my bike. I burn waaay more than my bike says. I'm going to get a HRM monitor but I just know from the past that I'm burning more than that. At my old gym the bike had a HRM built into it which was nice thought for some reason I have a very weak pulse so its hard for monitors to pick up.
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