Large Gap between machine & MFP

they are both wrong. you'll have no way of knowing which is closer unless you have an HRM. i have an hrm and depending on my workout and my intensity some times the machine is closer other times MFP is closer, even on the same machine

the machines are generally closer. when i got my him i noticed the machines slightly underestimate and mfp hugely overestimates. this is assuming it's a machine that accepts weight entries.

Before I obtained a HRM I used the numbers the machine provided me. My reasoning was that the machines are intermittently taking my heart rate.

they are both wrong. you'll have no way of knowing which is closer unless you have an HRM. i have an hrm and depending on my workout and my intensity some times the machine is closer other times MFP is closer, even on the same machine

You don't know that both of these are wrong. Yes, a HRM is the most accurate, but sometimes they aren't in someone's budget. I lost ALL my weight without a HRM, so it is possible to be successful without a HRM.

I've always relied on the machines since they ask my age, weight, etc. Plus, they know how hard I'm working whereas MFP is guessing.

I think this is reasonable. Realistically, the machines are still monitoring heart rate, and if they ask for weight (and ideally age too) they're not going to be miles off - just not quite as accurate as with a chest strap. And 50 or so calories off on an estimate really isn't going to do anyone any lasting harm.

If you're estimating without a machine (e.g running or walking), I'd suggest that you use a distance based estimate, if you can't get a HRM - these are a bit more accurate. There's a calculator on runners world and a few other places. MFP wildly overestimates these for me. I think its algorithm presumes people who are fat are also radically unfit - and in my case, that's not really true!

honestly i think its important to stress firstly you dont really need to knw how many calories you burn when you exercise, you should just be happy its doing you good. however on the other hand being obsessed with numbers i always want to know. machines and mfp dont take into account your fitness level or if you are used to using a machine. i found this out through a hrm. running i wasnt burning a lot of calories compared to the machine, because i d it everyday, i'll run 10k easy in like 40 mins (im a PT so my job is fitness). but then i thought oh i'll go on the elliptical and freaking hell my hr monitor showed me a much bigger burn than the machine did, because my body was so shocked by the exercise. it goes the the principle that you have to keep your body guessing about exercise to get the best results

I have found that MFP is way off...Machines are closer if they have areas where you can grasp so it can record your heart rate...

The machines at my gym I have found to be about 50-70 over based on what my HRM says depending on how long I do them for...whereas MFP is more like 100-150 over...