HRM accurate?

NurseHthr
NurseHthr Posts: 43 Member
edited October 2 in Health and Weight Loss
My HRM says I am getting WAY WAY WAY more calories burned that I thought. A 30 minute walk burned 350 calories? I just don't buy it. It's a Polar. Thoughts?

Replies

  • ktbug82
    ktbug82 Posts: 166
    Did you update it with your current height & weight, especially weight as you've lost?
  • Huskychemist
    Huskychemist Posts: 75 Member
    Did you change the user settings to match your age, gender and body weight? I don't know exactly how accurate they are, but two things I consider. It counts 'all' Calories, not just extra Calories from exercise. So you could wear it all day and it'd show over 1000 (or in a large male's case, 2500-3000) Calories burned in a day. Secondly, I don't care as much about the actual Calories, but I use mine to compare intensity of workouts. If I complete a stationary bike ride at a harder setting, with a higher average speed yet my average heart rate was lower, I know I'm getting in better shape. Or if I want a more intense aerobic workout, I can gauge that with the HRM.

    Just my thoughts...hope it helps a bit.
  • juliapurpletoes
    juliapurpletoes Posts: 951 Member
    It all depends on how accurate you were when you input your info. And, some of the lower end Polars don't take in enough personal info, so they apply some generalizations. hmmmm....

    But, how fast were you moving??
  • TiDinzeo
    TiDinzeo Posts: 309
    It could be that the chest strap wasn't quite right on your chest. I know that occasionally mine can give some reading I'm not 100% certain of whilst I'm exercising. Or sometimes it doesn't register a heartbeat at all. It usually turns out I've not wet the electrodes enough or I've got it on in the wrong spot.
  • juliapurpletoes
    juliapurpletoes Posts: 951 Member
    True about the strap issue....the other day mine was bent sorta, and it read my heart rate as 236 beat per minute....LOL
  • Chiclet26
    Chiclet26 Posts: 16
    LIke the others have said, did you enter your personal settings (hight, weight, resting heart rate...?) But if you are walking at a brisk pace for 30 min you can easily burn 350 calories.
  • SusanneWhittington
    SusanneWhittington Posts: 339 Member
    I burn about 350 calories too when I go 2.5 miles/h for 30 minutes, my husband only burns 120 calories the same time. We both entered everything accurately, but, I have to carry a lot more weight with me and he is way fitter than me, so I am in a high heart rate mode real fast, while he barely sweats.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    It all depends on how accurate you were when you input your info. And, some of the lower end Polars don't take in enough personal info, so they apply some generalizations. hmmmm....

    But, how fast were you moving??

    Polar FT4 and FT7 take all info needed(age, weight, height and gender) the only thing they don't take is VO2Max, which is getting outdated anyway.

    Op:
    I'd personally trust the Polar.. they are pretty accurate if set up correctly.
    I've burned 350 calories walking on a treadmill at a high incline for 30 minutes, so it is feasible.
  • NurseHthr
    NurseHthr Posts: 43 Member
    Thanks everyone. Yes, I have entered my height, weight, age and gender accurately. I was walking at a brisk pace but I just didn't think I should be burning that much!
    It's a wrist one, not a chest strap so that can't be it. And I updated my heart rate every couple of minute0(like it says to)s so it would be as accurate as possible
    Maybe I'll just trust it.
  • NurseHthr
    NurseHthr Posts: 43 Member
    Thanks everyone. Yes, I have entered my height, weight, age and gender accurately. I was walking at a brisk pace but I just didn't think I should be burning that much!
    It's a wrist one, not a chest strap so that can't be it. And I updated my heart rate every couple of minute0(like it says to)s so it would be as accurate as possible
    Maybe I'll just trust it.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    Thanks everyone. Yes, I have entered my height, weight, age and gender accurately. I was walking at a brisk pace but I just didn't think I should be burning that much!
    It's a wrist one, not a chest strap so that can't be it. And I updated my heart rate every couple of minute0(like it says to)s so it would be as accurate as possible
    Maybe I'll just trust it.

    It doesn't have a chest strap? If it doesn't have a chest strap, then it won't be accurate.. and a chest strap is needed for accuracy in calorie burns and heart rate transmission to the watch.

    What model Polar is it? All Polars should have a chest strap.
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