Cycling - huge calorie over estimates!

vs4b
vs4b Posts: 2 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
On my commute today (that i only do twice a week) cycling on a road bike, its 46miles round trip, flat and done at about 15/16mph.

MFP tells me its over 3200 calories, but my strava says a much more reasonable 1400. Anyone know why the MFP is so far out in its estimate?

Replies

  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    MFP is pretty much awful for any calorie estimates for any activity. Just go with the strava number :)
  • Camo_xxx
    Camo_xxx Posts: 1,082 Member
    It's a secret conspiracy to keep users fat and using the app for longer.
  • Michael190lbs
    Michael190lbs Posts: 1,510 Member
    Camo_xxx wrote: »
    It's a secret conspiracy to keep users fat and using the app for longer.

    That is freaking Hilarious!!!

  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    Camo_xxx wrote: »
    It's a secret conspiracy to keep users fat and using the app for longer.

    Some part of me wouldn't be surprised if this is the case. Why else would the calorie counts be so laughably large?
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    Ill go with the conspiracy, every single activity is fiendishly calculated to give inflated figures and thereby trap people.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    glevinso wrote: »
    MFP is pretty much awful for any calorie estimates for any activity. Just go with the strava number :)

    I second that emotion.
  • Michael190lbs
    Michael190lbs Posts: 1,510 Member
    edited April 2015
    Ya I never log more than 500 cals for my 50 min rides or 250 for weight lifting.. Great read thanks for the time put into it..
  • Camo_xxx
    Camo_xxx Posts: 1,082 Member
    it is absurd to say the least.
    If I used MFP with its current cycling calorie burns I would still be fat.
    How or why does a fitness app where people are trying to cut a few hundred calories a day use formulas that over estimate by a thousand + ?
    No biggie for those of use who use garmin/strava type setups but what about the casual cyclist putting in what they think are epic calorie burn efforts ?
  • vs4b
    vs4b Posts: 2 Member
    OK thanks guys, i'm pleased it wasn't just me then. I'll stick with strava :-)
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