Heart Rate Monitors vs. Machines

tlems
tlems Posts: 104 Member
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey all,

So, my HRM and the treadmill all record my HR while working out, and they seem to be in sync. For example, when my watch says 156 so does the treadmill. My HRM has my current weight, height, zone 3 and gender programed. The treadmill has my weight programmed.

Which would you consider to be more accurate with respect to calories burned? I ask because 1,100 seemed SO high, but it was a pretty intense workout.

My watch will say 1100, while the treadmill will say 750.

Thanks!

Replies

  • mbvenske
    mbvenske Posts: 239 Member
    I wish I could tell you, I really would like the answer to that myself. Thanks for asking it!
  • julwills
    julwills Posts: 286 Member
    It's likely your HRM is syncing with the machine which is why it says the same thing! What type of HRM do you have? Does it have a chest strap? The ones with a strap are the most accurate. It's likely if you have your HRM programmed at the same heart rate (zone 3) the entire time your burn will be estimated higher than it really was because it's likely your heart rate dropped at some points during your work out. Personally, I'd take an average of the two. It's always better to underestimate your burns and overestimate food!
  • rljohnson11
    rljohnson11 Posts: 44
    I would say use your HRM. I have the opposite problem on the equipment I use (HRM says lower calories burned than equipment).
  • Still_Sossy
    Still_Sossy Posts: 868 Member
    If your heart rate monitor has the chest strap go with that one.
  • jkohan
    jkohan Posts: 184 Member
    Go by the HRM. The machines that configure cals are just estimates and do NOT take your HR into consideration with their formula. People think they do..but the ONLY reason a machine at the gym gives you HR info is to see if you're working in "cardio" vs. "fat burning" zones....and that is why some ask for weight too.

    The calories burned function is independent of the HR reading on the machines and is purely generic based upon averages not on your HR during your workout.
  • angebean
    angebean Posts: 195 Member
    Depending on the type of HRM, the machine is most likely picking up the HRM . I have a polar ft7 and it does this. I use my HRM over the machines and many times, especially on the elliptical, there's a significant difference.
  • TiffanyW1014
    TiffanyW1014 Posts: 599 Member
    It's likely your HRM is syncing with the machine which is why it says the same thing! What type of HRM do you have? Does it have a chest strap? The ones with a strap are the most accurate. It's likely if you have your HRM programmed at the same heart rate (zone 3) the entire time your burn will be estimated higher than it really was because it's likely your heart rate dropped at some points during your work out. Personally, I'd take an average of the two.

    I would go with this answer. This is what happens to me when I wear my HRM watch. I normally just go with the lower number since I normally don' eat back my exercise calories so this gives me a little wiggle room with my numbers.
  • tlems
    tlems Posts: 104 Member
    I have a New Balance 50071NB N4 - with chest strap. It does indicate how many minutes i was in Zone 3 - for example, the one our on the treadmill, i was in zone 3 for 29 min. I do think that the treadmill is picking up on the chest strap.
  • jkohan
    jkohan Posts: 184 Member
    I have a New Balance 50071NB N4 - with chest strap. It does indicate how many minutes i was in Zone 3 - for example, the one our on the treadmill, i was in zone 3 for 29 min. I do think that the treadmill is picking up on the chest strap.

    yes, a lot of machines will pick up and display your HR as being recorded by your HRM...but those numbers have NO bearing on the calorie burned number the machine gives you--use the number from your HRM.

    The HR display and the Calorie Display on the machines are two entirely different functions and do NOT interact--regardless of your HR, the calories are configured independently on the machines by an algorithym having nothing to do with your actual HR during the workout.
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