Excercise Calorie Values High?

althewiz
althewiz Posts: 2 Member
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm a new member here so forgive me if this topic has a thread already, but seems to me and my wife that the numbers this app calculates for exercise calories expended is high. For example, my wife, when doing moderate stationary biking at the gym for 30 min uses about 175 calories according to the computer on the bike. Myfitnesspal calculates 284 calories. Anyone else want to weigh in (no pun intended) on this.

Alan

Replies

  • bachooka
    bachooka Posts: 719 Member
    The only way to really truly accurately see what you as an individual are burning is to invest in a heart rate monitor with a chest strap.
  • Angela4Health
    Angela4Health Posts: 1,319 Member
    MFP calculates low for me. When I got my HRM (with a chest strap) I found I was burning tons more calories than MFP calculates.
    Each individual is different. Some people it overcalculates calorie burn. It is only a best guess. However, if the bike at the gym is not asking for weight gender etc, then go by MFP until you get an HRM.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    A HRM is the best way to calculate your calories burned. But, for those of us who just aren't able to make that kind of purchase right now (like me! LOL) - I go by the number on the machine I'm using. My treadmill asks for my weight and it knows what kind of incline, speed, etc I've been going so I figure it is more accurate than MFP -- which is guessing just based on the activity I'm choosing and how long I put in that I did it. HRM is the best, but I think machines are second and MFP is last.
  • phinners
    phinners Posts: 524 Member
    MFP offers me far more cals than my HRM does. No wonder my weight loss was slow before I got the HRM!
  • justleeanne
    justleeanne Posts: 251 Member
    MFP calculates low for me. When I got my HRM (with a chest strap) I found I was burning tons more calories than MFP calculates.
    Each individual is different. Some people it overcalculates calorie burn. It is only a best guess. However, if the bike at the gym is not asking for weight gender etc, then go by MFP until you get an HRM.

    I also agree with this. I was going to say I don't think the bike will calculate as accurately because of height weight etc.
  • Egger29
    Egger29 Posts: 14,741 Member
    The exercise calculations are the best "guestimate" based on a Calorie/minute standard of various activities. There are several charts around which can help people estimate how many calories they are burning based on whatever activity they might be doing: Walking, Gardening, Cleaning, Swimming...you name it.

    Example I just grabbed from a google search: http://whatscookingamerica.net/Information/CalorieBurnChart.htm

    These numbers however are only a rough guide, but are helpful as a tool over time to help people to embrace more active lifestyles.

    Anything more than sitting in front of a computer or lounging on the couch is good for you, regardless of the activity or duration.

    Little changes at a time add up in the long run for a healthy body. -)
  • MikeInAZ
    MikeInAZ Posts: 483 Member
    For me I found the MFP calories extremely high. Also my NordicTrack Elliptical was extremely high too. I bought a Polar FT7 Heart Rate monitor w/chest strap (about $110), I use it when I work out now and I'm much more comfortable using it's results than an estimate. MFP used to say that my hour long bike ride was 1600 calories. I know now, it's more like 1200. My elliptical would estimate a 30 min work out at 500 calories, now I know it's more like 350.

    They sell it at all the sporting goods stores and online.

    I was considering getting a BodyBug or BodyFit. But they're twice as much and you have to pay for a subscription to use it. My friend got the BodyBug and really likes it, but... it doesn't tell you your heart rate. Which is insane. It HAS to know your heart rate to calculate calories, so why not let you see it.

    I like my device, although wearing the chest strap can get uncomfortable, and I wouldn't want to wear it 24/7 like a BodyBug.

    So yes, I agree, the calculations the web site gives you are estimates and in my opinion, they're really high.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories