Can I really trust the calorie computation on the treadmill?

tamiller93
tamiller93 Posts: 195
edited September 25 in Fitness and Exercise
I have to wonder if it's completely accurate. That is why I make a point to always eat under my calorie goal by 100-200 calories a day. But if it is accurate, and I am eating under my goal and go into the "starvation mode", I am not doing myself much good. Any thoughts on this?

Replies

  • Toibear
    Toibear Posts: 31
    I was wondering the same thing. I got a heart rate monitor that has the strap around your chest and it tells me I burned 50-100 calories less than what the treadmill says so I use my heart rate monitor now. It has all my personal information (age, weight, etc.) and the treadmill doesn't, so I just assume my HR monitor is more accurate.
  • gooberr4
    gooberr4 Posts: 253 Member
    they're not very accurate. They get a little more accurate if you put in your weight and height tho.

    The best thing to do is purchase a heart-rate monitor that can track how many calories you burn during your workout if you're really nervous about under/over eating.

    I have the nike+ training thinger and that estimates my calories. I use that plus what MFP tells me to kinda get a reading on how many calories. but I don't eat back my exercise calories anyway :)
  • northernpie
    northernpie Posts: 32
    G'day,

    I have often wondered this myself. I just try and use the product (or closest to) that has the most verifications. I also just take the time to check if the product I am eating is in the system and is accurate, if not I modify it or just create a new item and save it so that I can use it at any later date. I think on the whole though my (short) expereince has seen that most of the foods in the database a pretty spot on.

    Hope this helps :) and good luck

    Cheers

    Greg

    *okay dumb Aussie, did not read the post right....but as those above the real true way to monitor calories burned etc...is to invest in a HR monitor Strap.....those thihngs are brilliant and give you a true and accurate reading of any work out and how benficial it has been... :)
  • Nelski
    Nelski Posts: 1,607 Member
    I think it depends on the person because everyone burns calories different. If your treadmill asks you age, sex and weight you are getting a better estimate than ones that don't, but it could still be off. Best way to know is to get a good heart rate monitor. I have one and treadmills always estimate higher than I am really burning.
  • SherryGirl
    SherryGirl Posts: 40
    I find if you use your own prodomiter and heart rate moitor you can only trust the quolity of the units your using. I know my elliptical says more then what I have actually burned on the calulator here.....I spent a LOT of money on my Elliptical so I go by it as it is calculated as to my heart rate and intensity as well as my weight and age. I find would be more accurate. You have to judge yourself I guess!! :smile:
  • agdeierl
    agdeierl Posts: 378 Member
    The elliptical I get on at my local ywca is actually really accurate. It always says either the exact same heartrate or maybe 1 off as my HRM. I put my weight and age in. I wasn't touching any sensors or anything, though, so I don't know how it's so accurate with my heartrate! Everyone told me when I got an HRM, it would tell me I was burning less than machines tell me, but actually, my HRM says I burn maybe 50 cals or so more than the elliptical says.
  • tamiller93
    tamiller93 Posts: 195
    Thanks for the input guys. I have actually ordered a HRM which should be here sometime early next week. I will start going by what it says. I'm glad that I haven't been eating ALL my exercise calories back now!
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