Sorry for Repeat but... Are are heart rate monitors accurate

kapeluza
kapeluza Posts: 3,434 Member
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I am very sorry if this has been repeated many times but there was a huge difference in calorie burn for me this morning. I use to go by the Elliptical machine.

With the ellipitcal machine:

- I added my height and weight (5'0"/186)lbs and at the end of 30 min vigorous workout it would state that I had burned 327 calories.

With my HRM ( I just got this two weekends ago and finally used it today). I used the chest strap that came with the HRM.

I added my weight only (186lbs) and at the end of a 30 min vigorous workout it stated that I had burned 618 calories.

Can this be accurate?

I have a Timex Zone Trainer™ Digital Heart Rate Monitor

Replies

  • littlecaponey2
    littlecaponey2 Posts: 143 Member
    Bump
  • mrscozz
    mrscozz Posts: 2
    The problem is it gives you an average for your age weight height and sex. To get a true measurement of calories burned you need to have your cardio point analyzed. If that is not available to you from your gym or dr, then you can go off the average that is preset in your monitor.
  • Tracey_Smith
    Tracey_Smith Posts: 199
    I'd go with the HRM. Timex is a good brand so I don't think that would be an issue.

    The HRM works on your height / age? and heart beat so it can see, more readily, how hard you're working, which the trainer can't. it can make a generic reading from your height and speed but not as accurately as we'd like. I've used / use an HRM whenever I go training and I've found them to be a godsend.
  • innerfashionista
    innerfashionista Posts: 451 Member
    It's possible your HRM is synching with the machine and doubling the calorie count. I don't know how to stop it, but I know some people who have issues with that. You may want to add your height, sex, target heart rate, and resting heart rate, and that may help you get a more accurate reading.
  • sixpacking
    sixpacking Posts: 148 Member
    the machine HRM are just measured when you become in contact with sensors; to keep it constant, you must keep the same movements, speeds, form, intensity, etc.....contrary to the HRM chest strap which is continuous for the entire duration of your workout (up and down whatever changes), the only discrepancy wtih HRM chest strap (sometimes) its the communication interrruptions, but it rarely happens. I would go with chest straps. keep doing it and you'll find out the consistency.
  • CarolynB38
    CarolynB38 Posts: 553 Member
    The HRM uses your heart rate to work out how many calories you burn but to do this accurately it needs to know your max heart rate. There are formulae to calculate this (approximately) and it mainly goes by your age (the older you are, the lower it is) such as 220-age. Your HRM may do this automatically when you input your age - mine does. When it calculates cals burned it uses your heart rate (to work out how hard you were working based on your age) and your weight.

    618 cals sounds high to me. That's what I expect to burn if I run for 50-60 mins, a little more than 100cals per mile.

    You may need to check the instructions with your HRM. There may be more info you can input to get a more accurate calculation.

    I hope you get it sorted out
  • Minnie_Moo
    Minnie_Moo Posts: 239 Member
    I would suggest rechecking the settings of your HRM........

    I have a new Polar HRM with chest strap and when I first set it up, it asked for user settings such as my weight, height, date of birth, gender, and activity level.
  • kapeluza
    kapeluza Posts: 3,434 Member
    Thanks.

    I did set my weight on the heart rate monitor but I don't think it has a setting for height/sex. I will check though.
  • kapeluza
    kapeluza Posts: 3,434 Member
    bumping just in case
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I hate to tell you, but the Timex Zone Trainer is absolute crap.. your better off trusting the machine then it. When figuring out a calorie burn, the more information that you can enter, the more accurate it will be. Since you can only enter weight(I know because I had this HRM before returning it and getting a polar) it is not accurate at all.

    When I had it, I weighed 165 at the time and it told me that for walking on a treadmill at a 15% incline for 3 MPH, that i burned 580 calories.. um I think not. My polar tells me that at a weight of 165 for that same exercise, I burn 250-300.. a big difference.

    I'd return it if you can and invest in a polar.. they really are the best brand out there.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,342 Member
    Here is an excellent article on HRMs http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472

    If yours only allows for weight, it is really not going to be able to estimate calories very well. I suggest you return it if you can.
  • kapeluza
    kapeluza Posts: 3,434 Member
    Any suggestions on accurate HRM?

    Please. Thank you
  • kapeluza
    kapeluza Posts: 3,434 Member
    bump, any tips?
  • kapeluza
    kapeluza Posts: 3,434 Member
    bump, any tips?
  • Jenscan
    Jenscan Posts: 694 Member
    Polar FT4.
  • torregro
    torregro Posts: 307
    I find my HRM very accurate when checked against a manual pulse check, BUT........................it does respond to electrical interference. If I wear it in the car, my HR is 200+, if I wear it while using the laptop or standing near an electrical lamp that's turned on or the telephone, it also goes way up. Be sure that your HRM is not responding this way by checking it out while wearing it around home too.
  • BradNC
    BradNC Posts: 51
    I second the Polar FT4.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,342 Member
    I believe the link I posted earlier suggested Polar ft7 or above. I haven't read it in a while. You want one that either allows you to enter age, weight, height, sex, and preferably VO2 Max (or at least have it calculate it based on a fitness test the watch does) I believe the Polar FT7 and above. I don't know if the FT4 allows that.
  • Minnie_Moo
    Minnie_Moo Posts: 239 Member
    I would suggest rechecking the settings of your HRM........

    I have a new Polar HRM with chest strap and when I first set it up, it asked for user settings such as my weight, height, date of birth, gender, and activity level.


    My Polar FT-40 has the Polar Fitness test (ownindex) which measures your aerobic fitness at rest and tells you your progress. OwnIndex is comparable to maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), a common aerobic capacity measure.
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