Should I record calories burned based on what my machine says or what MFP says?

christinahanson89
christinahanson89 Posts: 7 Member
edited November 19 in Fitness and Exercise
My maxtrainer says I only burned 169 lbs, but doesn't record my height age or weight. MFP records 300+calories bases on time, which should I use?

Replies

  • trinateegardens
    trinateegardens Posts: 15 Member
    I need to watch this post to see what most people say cause it is confusing. I dont have one of those arm things, maybe i should get one
  • FireTurtle75
    FireTurtle75 Posts: 2,014 Member
    I'm going to guess that the truth is somewhere in the middle. I think the MFP will probably be closer to being accurate even though it's calculated off of static data you plug in as long as you are honest about the level of effort when you pick the exercise from the list.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    edited June 2017
    What is a maxtrainer? (Make? Model?)
    Does it measure power? (Watts typically)
    How long was your session?
    How hard were you trying?
    What numbers did you get from both?
    What category did you log it under?
  • christinahanson89
    christinahanson89 Posts: 7 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    What is a maxtrainer? (Make? Model?) BOWFLEX M5 MAXTRAINER
    Does it measure power? (Watts typically) I'M NOT SURE
    How long was your session? 15-20 MINUTES
    How hard were you trying? I SWEAT A LOT, THE RESISTENCE IS HE HARDEST PART
    What numbers did you get from both? I'D GET 160 CALORIES FROM BOWLEX, WHICH AUTOMATICALLY SYNCS TO MFP, MFP WOULD GIVE MME 360+
    What category did you log it under?
    I NO LONGER MANUALLY LOG IT IN, I LET IT SYNC WITH THE BOWFLEX

  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    200ish calories sounds close to right for 20 minutes on an elliptical trainer..

    But it can depend on what your actual level of work was.
  • Livysaunt2017
    Livysaunt2017 Posts: 1 Member
    I find that if I use a machine that allows me to put in my weight, the calories burned is pretty close to what is on my fitbit. When I enter into mfp, the calories are usually much higher. I would say go in the middle, or use the lower number and if you burned more that's a bonus!
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Think the Bowflex numbers are far more reasonable for that duration.
  • Derf_Smeggle
    Derf_Smeggle Posts: 610 Member
    Most of the time MFP exercise calorie burns are overestimating.

    One personal example was a 1.5 hours easy trail walk I did 3 weeks ago. MFP had "Walking, 3.0mph" calculated at +600 calories. My chest strap HRM minus my RMR for that time was around 400 calories.

    That's why we see the common recommendation to log your exercise calories, but only eat 1/2 back for 3-4 weeks. If the your weight loss is too high, eat back more of your exercise calories. If the weight loss is too low/stops, then eat back less.
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    When in doubt take the lower calorie burn number and with food take the higher number. I don't trust many machine burn figures because many overestimate to make you feel better.
  • cburke8909
    cburke8909 Posts: 990 Member
    Keep in mind that they're all estimates and can vary greatly. No method is perfectly accurate. Also keep in mind that even though you may be in better shape while you engage in the program, the result may be that your body burns calories more effectively and therefore you may still need to eat reasonably.
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