Question using heart rate monitor?

wcasch
wcasch Posts: 13
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I just began using a heart rate monitor. It is strictly a watch that you check your heart rate. I found a formula to figure out calories burned with heart rate on livestrong.com and I've calcuated it twice with different exercises. Both times I've come up with 150 to 200 calories higher burned than the exercise tracker on MFP says. Has anyone else had this? Also, should I try a different formula to calclate this? Thanks, Wendy
Also, wanting a heart rate monitor with chest strap that calculates calories burned, but it's not in the budget yet :(

Replies

  • PetitePerfection
    PetitePerfection Posts: 199 Member
    I don't use formulas but my heart rate monitor, which does have the chest strap, usually gives me higher numbers than MFP does too:happy: for example, today I did the ripped in 30 dvd and when I log it in MFP as circuit training, general, it gives me about 200 cals, but my HRM tells me I actually burned 272:happy: nice surprise
  • johnallen12
    johnallen12 Posts: 46 Member
    I'd tend to trust my heart rate monitor over the MFP formula. Both use algorithms that rely on input of your weight, the exertion level of the exercise, and duration. What makes the heart rate monitor more reliable is that the exertion component is based on your actual heart rate while the MFP formula uses generalized and averaged data from tables on what the expected exertion is. That said, you can always go with whichever result is lower so that you have a buffer, so to speak.
  • yeabby
    yeabby Posts: 643 Member
    In my experience MFP is usually nearly double what my heart rate monitor (with chest strap) says. I'd go with the lower option.
  • gdb86
    gdb86 Posts: 126 Member
    In general you're always going to get fluctuating numbers whether it's on MFP, HRM, or an exercise machine reading. I would definitely go w/ your HRM above anything else because hopefully it's an accurate model and it is basing it on specific inputs like gender, age, etc.

    For me I like to always calculate around 25% less than what I see. Or around 100 calories less if I'm working out for around an hour. Give or take I like to always go w/ a lower number because you can't lose that way! (Well you can lose weight... but you know what I mean!) Haha - hope that helps a bit!
  • wcasch
    wcasch Posts: 13
    Thanks all...I think I'll still calcuate based on my heart rate, but just track somewhere between the MFP and what I come up with.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    If it's just a watch, it's not likely it's accurate unless you constantly hold your finger on the button. My HR goes up and down during my workouts, so if it's calculating from a low HR, it's going to be too low, but if it's calculating from a high HR, it will be too high. It's tough to find a happy medium with those.
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