Exercise Equipment Margin of Error for Calories Burned

kellybean14
kellybean14 Posts: 237 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone!

Many people on MFP have said that exercise equipment overestimates the number of calories burned.

I know the most effective way to calculate this would be to get a heart rate monitor.

For those of us that do not have heart rate monitors and do NOT want to buy one, is there a guideline for how much the exercise equipment typically overestimates? One calorie a minute? Three calories a minute? Is there really no way to gauge this?

Replies

  • kellybean14
    kellybean14 Posts: 237 Member
    bump? anyone?
  • jsapninz
    jsapninz Posts: 909 Member
    I have seen as much as 30% overages according to other posters. It definitely fluctuates from machine to machine.

    How come you are so set against a HRM? Just curious.
  • kellybean14
    kellybean14 Posts: 237 Member
    I don't like gadgets. I don't have an i pod or wear headphones when I run, I don't wear a watch, I don't even have FB... I just find it all annoying and consumerist. The fact that people constantly have to "upgrade" their gadgets makes it seem scammy... even if something like a HRM is (obviously) not.

    I'm kind of a Luddite. ((cringes))

    :blushing:
  • kellybean14
    kellybean14 Posts: 237 Member
    I totally didn't mean any offense at all!! It's a weird personal preference and just because someone uses an i pod or wears a watch, it does NOT necessarily mean they're "consumerist."

    I've had a s*** day at work and I can see that coming off wrong. :flowerforyou:
  • jsapninz
    jsapninz Posts: 909 Member
    I know what you mean, sometimes it is a pain to have all this "equipment" everywhere you go. Phones are bad enough.

    BUT, I did just hear this weekend that my girlfriend has had her Polar HRM for 11 years and she still loves it. So you don't have to upgrade if you don't want, as long as it still works.....often it depends on the quality of the product (phone upgrade every year= UGH ANNOYING!!).

    But, HRMs are honestly the best option if you want to be accurate with your burns. Otherwise you are going to be flying a bit blind. But they aren't NECESSARY to lose weight.

    None offense taken at all. :smile:
  • kellybean14
    kellybean14 Posts: 237 Member
    11 years...

    Miiiiiiight be on to something.
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