Calories on machine show very different total

rose313
rose313 Posts: 1,146 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I used the elliptical at my gym for 30 minutes, and the number on the machine was 172 calories burned. I noticed as soon as I typed in 30 minutes that MFP automatically put 318 calories burned. I changed it back to 172 but I was wondering, why such a big difference? I did 130 steps (or rotations, or whatever they're called) per minute, which is the fastest I can go without flying off the thing! So it's not like I was going slow or anything. I definitely was getting a good workout so that seemed like a small amount of calories burned to me anyway.

Replies

  • iuew
    iuew Posts: 624 Member
    the actual calories burned depends on many factors; weight, exertion, etc. i have found some measurements (walking) to be pretty accurate, and others to be wildly off. if the machine gives a readout that takes my weight into account, i post that instead.
  • rose313
    rose313 Posts: 1,146 Member
    the actual calories burned depends on many factors; weight, exertion, etc. i have found some measurements (walking) to be pretty accurate, and others to be wildly off. if the machine gives a readout that takes my weight into account, i post that instead.

    I noticed the machine didn't ask for my weight. Do overweight people burn more or less calories doing the same exercise as people of healthy weight? Or does it depend on too many other factors?
  • Hikaru37
    Hikaru37 Posts: 177 Member
    This happens to me all the time, I just lower the minutes til the calories burned are correct
    Makes me a tad annoyed that it looks like I've only done 15 or so minutes most of the time but I'd rather it be accurate in the CB :)
  • runwithmike
    runwithmike Posts: 145 Member
    I am at the other end of the spectrum. MFP always has me at a low calorie burned compared to the machine. I use the reading from the machine instead because it takes in account my weight, level, etc.
  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    Yes, the more you weight, the more you burn. That's why trying to lose the last 5-10 lbs is usually the hardest. If you use a machine, try to program in your weight because your will get a better estimate. Otherwise the machine will use an average of most people, probably a 150 lbs person. Now, I said estimate, because the machine still uses averages, but for the weight class. Take all machine rates with a grain of salt. I have read numerous reports about not eating back all your exercise calories because you can never know for sure what you actually burned. But I find MFP plus exercise to be pretty good with this estimate, mainly because I am losing weight.
  • rose313
    rose313 Posts: 1,146 Member
    I used a different elliptical today and got much better results. Twice as many calories burned in the same amount of time. I put my weight in this time (the other machine didnt have the option.) I dont think that should have changed anything though, since I am 154 and 5'2. Only slightly overweight.
  • adlwilmot
    adlwilmot Posts: 117
    The best way to accurately calculate your calories burnt is to wear a heartrate monitor. If you dont have one, take your heartrate at intervals throughout your workout if you vary the intensity during a session, or just record it as soon as you've finished if the intensity is maintained throughout and use the below formula. This formula was extremely accurate for me and gave results within 5% of what my HRM does. Have fun!

    Men: C/min = (-55.0969 + 0.6309 x HR + 0.1988 x weight + 0.2017 x age) / 4.184
    Women: C/min = (-20.4022 + 0.4472 x HR - 0.1263 x weight + 0.074 x age) / 4.184

    (where weight is in kilograms and C stands for calories burnt)
  • indianlarry11
    indianlarry11 Posts: 32 Member
    I would go by the machine. Myfitnesspal wouldn't know if you did 30 minutes fast or slow so it gives a general calorie number. The machine at least knows how hard you were working. :smile:
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