HRM no cals - how do I work them out?

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FTIM2015
FTIM2015 Posts: 460 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Ok so I bought a HRM... but it doesn't show cals burnt. Can anyone tell me how to work out cals burnt from the total exercise time and the average heart rate?

Or should I just take it back?

Replies

  • aochoa123
    aochoa123 Posts: 299 Member
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    I say take it back and get one that shows calories burnt. That's the whole point of having an HRM so you don't have to do the calculations.
  • hyde1977
    hyde1977 Posts: 476 Member
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    I would take it back and get one with a chest strap and counts calories! There is no way to really calculate them! :happy:
  • jrich1
    jrich1 Posts: 2,408 Member
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    If you are looking for calories burned I would take it back to get one that does that.
  • ANeWcRe8N
    ANeWcRe8N Posts: 1,180 Member
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    I hear this site is pretty accurate.. maybe give it a try.

    http://www.triathlontrainingblog.com/calculators/calories-burned-calculator-based-on-average-heart-rate/
  • LimeyTart
    LimeyTart Posts: 303 Member
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    I use this. It's fairly easy.

    http://www.braydenwm.com/calburn.htm
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,293 Member
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    If your HRM gives you your average HR you can enter it into this equation:

    Calculate the calories burned if you're female. This is given by the equation calories burned = (0.074 x age in years - 0.05741 x weight in pounds + 0.4472 x average heart rate - 20.4022) x time elapsed / 4.184.

    For an example calculation, a 43-year-old female weighing 143 pounds exercised for 45 minutes with an average heart rate during the session of 141 bpm: (0.074 x 43 - 0.05741 x 143 + 0.4472 x 141 - 20.4022) x 45 / 4.184 = 405 calories during your exercise session.

    Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/73315-calculate-calories-burned-based-heart/#ixzz1ODZEZK47
  • afteil
    afteil Posts: 162 Member
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    it would be very difficult to just calculate from having a hrm, because your heart rate changes throughout the workout, so the best you would be able to get is an approximation from the average hr
  • ANeWcRe8N
    ANeWcRe8N Posts: 1,180 Member
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    but.. like everyone else mentioned... it would be best to turn it back in and get one that does count calories burned :)
  • FTIM2015
    FTIM2015 Posts: 460 Member
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    Just found that site too.

    It has a chest strap, the next one up is double the price :frown:

    Will give this one a try and see what it works out to compared to what the exercise thing on here says, and depending how close it is depends if it's kept! Else I may be asking for the other one for my birthday!
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,293 Member
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    I use this. It's fairly easy.

    http://www.braydenwm.com/calburn.htm

    The issue with this is the VO2 Max portion. If you don't know it and put in 0, it calculates your cals burned as if you have a VO@ max of 62, which most people come in way under. Instead of entering 0, try entering in 40 as the VO2 Max unless you know what yours is.
  • FTIM2015
    FTIM2015 Posts: 460 Member
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    double post
  • jude666
    jude666 Posts: 231 Member
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    Take it back and go for one of the Polar FT's. I've got a Polar FT4... best thing since sliced bread and so incredibly easy to use.
    There's no point in making it harder than it actually needs to be !
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,293 Member
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    I hear this site is pretty accurate.. maybe give it a try.

    http://www.triathlontrainingblog.com/calculators/calories-burned-calculator-based-on-average-heart-rate/

    again the problem of this is the VO2 Max portion, you should enter in 40 instead of 0 if you are unsure as 0 is the same as 62, and to have a VO2 Max of 62 is not common among non-elite athletes.
  • FTIM2015
    FTIM2015 Posts: 460 Member
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    ah well, back it goes then!
  • LimeyTart
    LimeyTart Posts: 303 Member
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    I use this. It's fairly easy.

    http://www.braydenwm.com/calburn.htm

    The issue with this is the VO2 Max portion. If you don't know it and put in 0, it calculates your cals burned as if you have a VO@ max of 62, which most people come in way under. Instead of entering 0, try entering in 35 as the VO2 Max unless you know what yours is.

    Yes, this is a good point that I forgot to make. Thank you!
  • randilea
    randilea Posts: 140
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    If your HRM gives you your average HR you can enter it into this equation:

    Calculate the calories burned if you're female. This is given by the equation calories burned = (0.074 x age in years - 0.05741 x weight in pounds + 0.4472 x average heart rate - 20.4022) x time elapsed / 4.184.

    For an example calculation, a 43-year-old female weighing 143 pounds exercised for 45 minutes with an average heart rate during the session of 141 bpm: (0.074 x 43 - 0.05741 x 143 + 0.4472 x 141 - 20.4022) x 45 / 4.184 = 405 calories during your exercise session.

    Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/73315-calculate-calories-burned-based-heart/#ixzz1ODZEZK47

    I tried this out and it was pretty close to my HRM....good to know. Thanks.!
  • purple_punk
    purple_punk Posts: 174 Member
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    what brand did you buy so i know not to buy it lol i'm shopping around for a HRM at the moment :)
  • kell_riley
    kell_riley Posts: 312
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    I use this. It's fairly easy.

    http://www.braydenwm.com/calburn.htm

    The issue with this is the VO2 Max portion. If you don't know it and put in 0, it calculates your cals burned as if you have a VO@ max of 62, which most people come in way under. Instead of entering 0, try entering in 35 as the VO2 Max unless you know what yours is.

    Yes, this is a good point that I forgot to make. Thank you!

    I found this out the hard way using this calculator! I didn't realise 0 automatically ment vo2max of 62, I did think I was some kinda calorie burning machine!! Lol
    I actually realised the mistake today after wondering why I wasn't loosing weight! I've been eating too many calories, now I know I'm happy as I can get back on track!

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