tredmill calories vs. fitness pal calories
angelakayerickson
Posts: 19
Hello,
I use a tredmill for my cardio....I workout between 40 and 60 min a day depending on my busy kids lol....BUT the tredmill tells me i lost 300 cals vs. this site which tells me i have lost 600 cals....is it because this thing knows how much i weigh and how tall i am or is the tredmill right and i need to be on the thing 90 min a day or somthing? obviously my tredmill doesnt know my weight, but am just wondering who or what to believe when it comes to my calorie counting.
Thanks Angela
I use a tredmill for my cardio....I workout between 40 and 60 min a day depending on my busy kids lol....BUT the tredmill tells me i lost 300 cals vs. this site which tells me i have lost 600 cals....is it because this thing knows how much i weigh and how tall i am or is the tredmill right and i need to be on the thing 90 min a day or somthing? obviously my tredmill doesnt know my weight, but am just wondering who or what to believe when it comes to my calorie counting.
Thanks Angela
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Replies
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Did you put your age and weight into the treadmill? If not then I would go by the site since it has all of your info0
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most treadmills have a weight input....and they count calories depending on your speed or incline, so I'd stick to the treadmill personally.0
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If you have not entered height, weight and age I would go with mfp0
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I would imagine it is because this knows are weight and height but I would like to know this as well0
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one way to solve this, go and purchase yourself a HRM. I have a Polar FT7 I absolutely love it.0
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I had this issue so I bought a HRM, the treadmill at the gym was way out !!!0
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one way to solve this, go and purchase yourself a HRM. I have a Polar FT7 I absolutely love it.
This!
In the meantime, I would go with MFP. Even if the treadmill has a weight setting you can enter, most won't ask for height and gender, which makes a big difference.
I think most treadmills use a default weight of 150 lbs. From what I've seen anyways.0 -
one way to solve this, go and purchase yourself a HRM. I have a Polar FT7 I absolutely love it.
This!
In the meantime, I would go with MFP. Even if the treadmill has a weight setting you can enter, most won't ask for height and gender, which makes a big difference.
I think most treadmills use a default weight of 150 lbs. From what I've seen anyways.
But a HRM is 99.9% accurate and I tried using MFP calories and they seem just a little off.0 -
I use the lower of the two.0
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one way to solve this, go and purchase yourself a HRM. I have a Polar FT7 I absolutely love it.
This!
In the meantime, I would go with MFP. Even if the treadmill has a weight setting you can enter, most won't ask for height and gender, which makes a big difference.
I think most treadmills use a default weight of 150 lbs. From what I've seen anyways.
But a HRM is 99.9% accurate and I tried using MFP calories and they seem just a little off.
Yes, I was agreeing with you about getting the HRM.
I was suggesting that until then, I would go with the MFP estimate over the machine estimate.
Sorry for the confusion.0 -
one way to solve this, go and purchase yourself a HRM. I have a Polar FT7 I absolutely love it.
This!
In the meantime, I would go with MFP. Even if the treadmill has a weight setting you can enter, most won't ask for height and gender, which makes a big difference.
I think most treadmills use a default weight of 150 lbs. From what I've seen anyways.
But a HRM is 99.9% accurate and I tried using MFP calories and they seem just a little off.
HRM 99.9% accurate??? In what universe?
If a treadmill has a weight input, and you do not hold on to the handrails, and you are walking, then the calorie numbers you get will be pretty accurate. The energy prediction equations are simple to program into a machine and they are at least as accurate as any HRM-- in many cases, more accurate. Same goes for MFP numbers--they use the same formulae.
I can't speak as much for home treadmills, since there is more variation in quality, but for a commercial unit -- if you are seeing a wide disparity between HRM numbers and the treadmill numbers (for walking only, not running), then it is more likely that your HRM is inaccurate--either because it's not set up correctly or because they not are not more than 80% accurate to begin with.0 -
I used treadmill calories for a while(like 4 months) before getting my HRM, and I lost roughly 15 pounds that way.
Now that I have my HRM, the calorie difference between it and MFP are very minimal. like 15 calories in either direction. So you can use both... and you'll be ok
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You should be entering your age and weight into the treadmill to gain accurate calculations. If you're not doing so, then I would go by what MFP says. If you are, then go by the treadmill because it's calculations will be based on your actual HR whereas on here, it's an estimate.0
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one way to solve this, go and purchase yourself a HRM. I have a Polar FT7 I absolutely love it.
This!
In the meantime, I would go with MFP. Even if the treadmill has a weight setting you can enter, most won't ask for height and gender, which makes a big difference.
I think most treadmills use a default weight of 150 lbs. From what I've seen anyways.
But a HRM is 99.9% accurate and I tried using MFP calories and they seem just a little off.
HRM 99.9% accurate??? In what universe?
If a treadmill has a weight input, and you do not hold on to the handrails, and you are walking, then the calorie numbers you get will be pretty accurate. The energy prediction equations are simple to program into a machine and they are at least as accurate as any HRM-- in many cases, more accurate. Same goes for MFP numbers--they use the same formulae.
I can't speak as much for home treadmills, since there is more variation in quality, but for a commercial unit -- if you are seeing a wide disparity between HRM numbers and the treadmill numbers (for walking only, not running), then it is more likely that your HRM is inaccurate--either because it's not set up correctly or because they not are not more than 80% accurate to begin with.
If you're not holding onto the rails which monitor your HR, then it's not getting an accurate reading. I've wondered that in the past and put it to the test; walked a certain distance and speed holding the rails, recorded the info and then walked the same distance and speed not holding the rails and there was a difference in what it said I burned. I don't know if it has a lower accuracy the faster you walk.... ?0 -
My treadmill doesn't have a weight entry and I get a similar descrepancy, I use an app on my phone and MFP and they both tend to be very similar so I'd go with MFP or find a calc on the net.0
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You should be entering your age and weight into the treadmill to gain accurate calculations. If you're not doing so, then I would go by what MFP says. If you are, then go by the treadmill because it's calculations will be based on your actual HR whereas on here, it's an estimate.
Things like age, height, gender aren't necessary for a treadmill because the treadmill is measuring the actual work you are performing and there is a relatively fixed intensity to all aerobic workloads. HRMs require this data because they use algorithms to guess at calories burned and to try to make the algorithms more accurate requires the input of more data.0 -
I use a HRM and find that the calories burned on it are usually closer to MFP's than the treadmill.0
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You should be entering your age and weight into the treadmill to gain accurate calculations. If you're not doing so, then I would go by what MFP says. If you are, then go by the treadmill because it's calculations will be based on your actual HR whereas on here, it's an estimate.
Things like age, height, gender aren't necessary for a treadmill because the treadmill is measuring the actual work you are performing and there is a relatively fixed intensity to all aerobic workloads. HRMs require this data because they use algorithms to guess at calories burned and to try to make the algorithms more accurate requires the input of more data.
So by your reasoning, you're saying a man who is 6'-2" tall and weighs 250 lbs can get on the treadmill and run for 30 minutes at 6 mph and a woman who is 5'-2" tall and weighs 150 lbs and runs on the treadmill for 30 minutes at a 6 mph pace will burn the same calories?
Give me a BREAK!0 -
You should be entering your age and weight into the treadmill to gain accurate calculations. If you're not doing so, then I would go by what MFP says. If you are, then go by the treadmill because it's calculations will be based on your actual HR whereas on here, it's an estimate.
Things like age, height, gender aren't necessary for a treadmill because the treadmill is measuring the actual work you are performing and there is a relatively fixed intensity to all aerobic workloads. HRMs require this data because they use algorithms to guess at calories burned and to try to make the algorithms more accurate requires the input of more data.
So by your reasoning, you're saying a man who is 6'-2" tall and weighs 250 lbs can get on the treadmill and run for 30 minutes at 6 mph and a woman who is 5'-2" tall and weighs 150 lbs and runs on the treadmill for 30 minutes at a 6 mph pace will burn the same calories?
Give me a BREAK!
No, I am not saying that at all. Reading is a skill. I said, height, age and gender. I did not say "weight".
As Rick Perry would say:: "Ooops".
And, it's not "reasoning". It's Exercise Physiology 101.0 -
You should be entering your age and weight into the treadmill to gain accurate calculations. If you're not doing so, then I would go by what MFP says. If you are, then go by the treadmill because it's calculations will be based on your actual HR whereas on here, it's an estimate.
Things like age, height, gender aren't necessary for a treadmill because the treadmill is measuring the actual work you are performing and there is a relatively fixed intensity to all aerobic workloads. HRMs require this data because they use algorithms to guess at calories burned and to try to make the algorithms more accurate requires the input of more data.
Gender especially absolutely has everything to do with getting actual calories burned. A male and female both walk on a treadmill at the same speed and the same distance. The male will be burning more calories. Just by the way his body is made, more muscle and stuff.
As for the HRM debate. I would get one, so you know the right amount of calories. I do the elliptical, MFP is actually pretty close to what my HRM and BMF says I burn. But that is not the case for all exercises. I haven't used a treadmill in a long time so not sure about that.0 -
You should be entering your age and weight into the treadmill to gain accurate calculations. If you're not doing so, then I would go by what MFP says. If you are, then go by the treadmill because it's calculations will be based on your actual HR whereas on here, it's an estimate.
Things like age, height, gender aren't necessary for a treadmill because the treadmill is measuring the actual work you are performing and there is a relatively fixed intensity to all aerobic workloads. HRMs require this data because they use algorithms to guess at calories burned and to try to make the algorithms more accurate requires the input of more data.
So by your reasoning, you're saying a man who is 6'-2" tall and weighs 250 lbs can get on the treadmill and run for 30 minutes at 6 mph and a woman who is 5'-2" tall and weighs 150 lbs and runs on the treadmill for 30 minutes at a 6 mph pace will burn the same calories?
Give me a BREAK!
No, I am not saying that at all. Reading is a skill. I said, height, age and gender. I did not say "weight".
As Rick Perry would say:: "Ooops".
And, it's not "reasoning". It's Exercise Physiology 101.
I was referring more to the gender aspect of it.
No need to be ugly and condescending with your snide remark about reading being a skill either.0 -
You should be entering your age and weight into the treadmill to gain accurate calculations. If you're not doing so, then I would go by what MFP says. If you are, then go by the treadmill because it's calculations will be based on your actual HR whereas on here, it's an estimate.
Things like age, height, gender aren't necessary for a treadmill because the treadmill is measuring the actual work you are performing and there is a relatively fixed intensity to all aerobic workloads. HRMs require this data because they use algorithms to guess at calories burned and to try to make the algorithms more accurate requires the input of more data.
So by your reasoning, you're saying a man who is 6'-2" tall and weighs 250 lbs can get on the treadmill and run for 30 minutes at 6 mph and a woman who is 5'-2" tall and weighs 150 lbs and runs on the treadmill for 30 minutes at a 6 mph pace will burn the same calories?
Give me a BREAK!
No, I am not saying that at all. Reading is a skill. I said, height, age and gender. I did not say "weight".
As Rick Perry would say:: "Ooops".
And, it's not "reasoning". It's Exercise Physiology 101.
I was referring more to the gender aspect of it.
No need to be ugly and condescending with your snide remark about reading being a skill either.
No need to be snide and use all caps when you didn't understand the comment in the first place. You got the response you deserved with your own lack of civility. .0 -
You should be entering your age and weight into the treadmill to gain accurate calculations. If you're not doing so, then I would go by what MFP says. If you are, then go by the treadmill because it's calculations will be based on your actual HR whereas on here, it's an estimate.
Things like age, height, gender aren't necessary for a treadmill because the treadmill is measuring the actual work you are performing and there is a relatively fixed intensity to all aerobic workloads. HRMs require this data because they use algorithms to guess at calories burned and to try to make the algorithms more accurate requires the input of more data.
So by your reasoning, you're saying a man who is 6'-2" tall and weighs 250 lbs can get on the treadmill and run for 30 minutes at 6 mph and a woman who is 5'-2" tall and weighs 150 lbs and runs on the treadmill for 30 minutes at a 6 mph pace will burn the same calories?
Give me a BREAK!
No, I am not saying that at all. Reading is a skill. I said, height, age and gender. I did not say "weight".
As Rick Perry would say:: "Ooops".
And, it's not "reasoning". It's Exercise Physiology 101.
I was referring more to the gender aspect of it.
No need to be ugly and condescending with your snide remark about reading being a skill either.
No need to be snide and use all caps when you didn't understand the comment in the first place. You got the response you deserved with your own lack of civility. .
OK, so in an attempt to remove myself from the third grade banter we have going, would you agree that a woman and man would burn the same calories for the same work in the same amount of time on a treadmill?0 -
I too have a treadmill that does not allow to put your weight and other stats in it, but does give a calories burned reading. My owner's manual states that the calories read out is based on a 150lb person. It's my thinking that the more you weigh, the more calories you are burning. That is why the MFP calories burned number is higher. Because MFP is calculating your current weight and not the weight of a 150lb person. I'm not professional, so I could be wrong, but I think going with MFP count instead of the treadmill may be closer to accurate. Also, not everyone can afford a device that gives off the most accurate readings.0
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The calories burned per MFP will be much more accurate than a treadmill that doesn't allow you put in your height, weight, age and doesn't measure your heart rate. The treadmill, MFP, even HRM's all us algorithms to attempt to determine how many calories you burned during a given time period with a given effort.
My treadmill does not allow me to put in any of my personal information and the instruction manual states that the "calories burned" readout on it is based upon a 150lb male. So it's truly just a guess. MFP is one step up as it takes into account your gender, height, weight and age over a given time period and intensity of the workout. IE: you tell MFP how long you worked out and intensity (example: Jogging 6mph for 30 mins)
IMO a heart rate monitor is going to be the most accurate....as long as it's a decent monitor that allows you to put in your gender, age, height and weight. (There cheap monitors out there that don't allow you to enter this and then again, makes assumptions in its algorithms to determine calories burned) A good HRM is the next step up in terms of accuracy from MFP as it's taking in the last variable, your heart rate.
I find that my HRM and MFP are fairly close in calories burned. My treadmill is not even close, a 150lb male will burn a lot less calories over the same effort level then my 220lbs does.0 -
Thank you all for the great insight...I am going to go with MFP for right now and purchase something in the future for more accuracy...I dont eat my exercise calories anyway, I just wanted to know why there was such a big difference, and yes the preset of a 150 lb male would make total sense since that is my husband and we burn the same calories.....I cannot enter anything in my tredmill (gold gyms old ones, they ordered the new ones).....So thanks again for all the info.....I found it very interesting that a man burns more calories than woman if they do the same workout....I would think since I have Fat to lose he would be creating muscle and I should be the one losing weight hahaha........Shows what I know hu?0
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