How can I keep track of calories burned?

Brilliantbritt27
Brilliantbritt27 Posts: 66
edited November 11 in Fitness and Exercise
I wanna start taking a few dance classes/pole dancing classes (please dont mock, i know im a bigger girl trying it out), but im not quite sure to how to keep track of the calories id be burning in those classes.

Replies

  • GinaBinaFaye
    GinaBinaFaye Posts: 35 Member
    I would invest in a heart rate monitor.
  • muwchck
    muwchck Posts: 261 Member
    You're best bet is going to be by using a HRM. I got one a couple weeks ago, and I feel so much better about eating back my exercise calories now. It made me nervous before that I would over eat. I still don't eat everything back (most of the time that is), but I make sure that I'm full.
  • Tami113
    Tami113 Posts: 117 Member
    I too would like to know how to track calories burned in dance etc. I heard good things about HRM but which one do you folks recommend?
  • Brilliantbritt27
    Brilliantbritt27 Posts: 66
    They are quite expensive from what I can see. Any other ways to track it?
  • cryingwolfeblog
    cryingwolfeblog Posts: 14
    There's also something you can get for the iPhone that syncs to a piece that you put in a NIKE sneaker that measures all of that stuff.
  • juicemoogan
    juicemoogan Posts: 994 Member
    without an accurate HRM you are just guessing..

    I recommend getting one which has a belt attachment that goes just around your ribs, with a digital watch to track the information.
    If you get one that's just a watch its not as accurate. There are some that aren't too expensive - eg. around $60 - check your local sporting goods store.
  • Brilliantbritt27
    Brilliantbritt27 Posts: 66
    without an accurate HRM you are just guessing..

    I recommend getting one which has a belt attachment that goes just around your ribs, with a digital watch to track the information.
    If you get one that's just a watch its not as accurate. There are some that aren't too expensive - eg. around $60 - check your local sporting goods store.

    Lol. Broke college student. 60$ is very expensive to me.
  • bgrune131
    bgrune131 Posts: 703 Member
    I have a Polar FT4 HRM, and I LOVE it!! It gives an accurate account of what you're burning. I think everyone should buy one!
  • Tandi_S
    Tandi_S Posts: 439 Member
    A bought a Polar FT4 a few weeks ago, and it is awesome! I also feel much better about eating back most of my exercise calories. I was able to find a deal online and it was only $62 shipped. It's been well worth it for me!
  • Pandorian
    Pandorian Posts: 2,055 Member
    exercise > cardio > add exercise
    Log a generic form of the exercise you're doing such as dancing, aerobics etc.
    It will give you a calorie burn estimate based on your data points (height, weight etc) people do say the burn seems high compared to their HRM for some exercises, while others come back in and tell us MFP was reporting low on the calories... but it's a start.
  • Ladyiianae
    Ladyiianae Posts: 271 Member
    I have a Polar FT4 HRM, and I LOVE it!! It gives an accurate account of what you're burning. I think everyone should buy one!

    I have one of these too but the battery died and it says not to replace it yourself but I can't FIND someone who will :sad:
  • Pandorian
    Pandorian Posts: 2,055 Member
    jewelry counter at most "department" stores does battery replacements on watches etc, they MAY be able to help with the HRM battery too.

    But thanks for the heads-up, if it's not user friendly to replace the battery I'll look for another one that is ;)
  • kenlad64
    kenlad64 Posts: 377 Member
    I have a Polar FT4 HRM, and I LOVE it!! It gives an accurate account of what you're burning. I think everyone should buy one!

    I have one of these too but the battery died and it says not to replace it yourself but I can't FIND someone who will :sad:

    Polar HRM are great, ... go to www.polarusa.com to get the battery replaced....
  • zephyrzar
    zephyrzar Posts: 23 Member
    I just got my HRM to properly track my workout videos that I do. So happy I got it. Works great and is easy to use. I got the Polar FT4F with the chest strap. Mine was $80.00 at our local sports store. Best investment for me.
  • bjfrezell
    bjfrezell Posts: 241
    There are web sites out there where you can enter in the exercise and your weight and it will give you a guestimate of calories burned. I think Livestrong.com is one of them. But just remember, it's a guestimate.
  • JDMPWR
    JDMPWR Posts: 1,863 Member
    BMF>HRM

    bodyfitmedia.com

    Best investment I made so far to take to log what I burn throughout the day as well as during my workouts.

    I have found that a HRM can be inaccurate during non cardio movements.
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    Why not spend the $60 on a HRM instead of the classes? There are lots of free ways to be active, and then you'll have a better idea of your actual calorie burn.
  • cessnaholly
    cessnaholly Posts: 780 Member
    I found a $40 Mio Motion watch with HRM which tracks calories, steps taken, alarms, dual watches, timer. I got it at BJs. Not always accurate (like when I run on the treadmill because I think it comes off my skin some) but normally it does a good job. Might be a good cheap start for you.
  • SLaw4215
    SLaw4215 Posts: 596 Member
    I am using the BodyMedia armband. Others have BodyBugg. I just got a email offer for 50% off for Friends & Family. The discount comes off at the end (no promotional code needed)
    http://www.bodymedia.com/Shop/Armband-Advantage
  • SassyCalyGirl
    SassyCalyGirl Posts: 1,932 Member
    HRM best investment you will ever make
  • Natural
    Natural Posts: 461 Member
    They are quite expensive from what I can see. Any other ways to track it?

    not. my first one cost 24.00$ - it was good enough. bought it off of ebay. schwinn brand
  • Marlene10025
    Marlene10025 Posts: 15
    I have a "middle of the road" heart rate monitor by Timex... and LOVE it. It helps me know if I'm staying in my target heart rate. It also shows me exactly how many calories I'm burning. I don't go to the gym without it! I HIGHLY recommend one!
  • phillips9366
    phillips9366 Posts: 19 Member
    I find heart rate monitors a way to take something simple (excercise) and make it complicated, gear intensive, and more expensive than it needs to be. So, if you're like me and are not a total perfectionist on your counting, try using this site: http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/calculators/heart-rate-based-calorie-burn-calculator.aspx.

    Periodically throughout your workout check your heartrate. Take the average beats per minute for the workout and enter it in along with the other stats the program requires, and voila, you have an estimate that is pretty close to reality. When in doubt, i round down on the bpm. It works for me as I've lost 26 lbs in 3 months (along with obsessing on the caloric balance using myfitnesspal :wink: ).

    Good luck! It's worth the effort!
  • Di3012
    Di3012 Posts: 2,247 Member
    I have a Polar FT4 HRM, and I LOVE it!! It gives an accurate account of what you're burning. I think everyone should buy one!

    I have one of these too but the battery died and it says not to replace it yourself but I can't FIND someone who will :sad:

    I think it says that because ideally, it needs to be resealed. However, people have replaced them themselves, but if you do, it is not advisable to swim with it on because it will not be resealed.

    The Polar FT4 is self-change batteries:

    http://www.heartratemonitor.co.uk/polar_ft4_heart_rate_monitor.html
  • taunto
    taunto Posts: 6,420 Member
    wow, i love how the poor girl asked for cheap alternatives to measure her calories burned and everybody is going on and on about their HRM. Seriously?

    Anyways @ OP: click on Exercise on top of your MFP page, click on database, enter dancing and you're going to see some different options.
  • JDMPWR
    JDMPWR Posts: 1,863 Member
    wow, i love how the poor girl asked for cheap alternatives to measure her calories burned and everybody is going on and on about their HRM. Seriously?

    Anyways @ OP: click on Exercise on top of your MFP page, click on database, enter dancing and you're going to see some different options.

    Cheap is a relative term. Cheap compared to what? Donald Trump may find a Bentley to be cheap to his budget.

    To the OP, I understand that you are a college student but what is most important, your health and accuracy of your caloric burn or finding something that "kinda" works? Ask yourself that question before you spend or hopefully decide to save.
  • amymarie8709
    amymarie8709 Posts: 329 Member
    I found one for $40 with chest strap at ShopKo. :) Good luck!
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