calories burned???

mom2allgirls
mom2allgirls Posts: 48
edited December 17 in Fitness and Exercise
Ok, i need some help! I have been doing about 15-30 on my elliptical at home and it calculating about half the amout of calories burned then what it shows here on MFP. So i am not sure which one is accurate. I am trying to save up to buy an HRM so that i will be more accurate. if anyone can help i would appreciate it! thanks

Replies

  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    In this case I'd go with your ellipticle. If has a better idea of how fast (rpms) that you were going. Depending on the model if it has age/weight etc... entries it's even closer to the truth. I've found that in order to match MFP numbers I need to keep my heart rate between 140 & 160, which is a very good pace for an hour.

    MFP is guessing on your effort level.

    -M
  • js370
    js370 Posts: 140
    I agree with magerum. The calculations on MFP are (I would assume) an average, not counting resistance and speed used.
  • mom2allgirls
    mom2allgirls Posts: 48
    thats depressing! lol I thought i was burning so much more
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    Don't let it get you down! A good HRM will help and you'll get a feel for the amount of "effort" needed to match MFP calculations.

    -M

    You're doing it, that's the important part!
  • peterson_jessica
    peterson_jessica Posts: 119 Member
    I would definitely go with your elliptical reading. When I got my HRM, I found that the elliptical and free runners I was using only slightly over-calculated my calories burned (Like 10-20 calories off per 30 minutes). On the treadmill, however, I burn way more than the treadmill and MFP say I do.
  • mom2allgirls
    mom2allgirls Posts: 48
    MFP was telling me i was burning 289 cal for 20 min and my elliptical said it was about 125. its like way off. any recommendations for and HRM that is not to pricey???
  • peterson_jessica
    peterson_jessica Posts: 119 Member
    I have the Polar FT4. It works great & I believe I got mine on Amazon for $115. I don't know how much you want to spend. I know they get quite a bit cheaper than that but I'm guessing you get what you pay for on the accuracy.
  • mom2allgirls
    mom2allgirls Posts: 48
    i was trying to stay under $50 but i keep hearing that they are really not that good.
  • Nastasha915
    Nastasha915 Posts: 124 Member
    I would definitely go with your elliptical reading. When I got my HRM, I found that the elliptical and free runners I was using only slightly over-calculated my calories burned (Like 10-20 calories off per 30 minutes). On the treadmill, however, I burn way more than the treadmill and MFP say I do.

    I always thought that about treadmill calroes. I run on the treadmill and do the elliptical for the same amount of time and it says I burn the same amount of calores. I just don't believe this because I am exhausted after running on the treadmill, but barely break a sweat on the elliptical.
  • mici0427
    mici0427 Posts: 54
    MFP always calculates my calories lower because it doesn't allow for resistance. I max my resistance and always burn higher due to that. I tried matching MFP one day and did...when my resistance was set at the lowest on the elliptical.
  • mom2allgirls
    mom2allgirls Posts: 48
    my elliptical also had the arms that move, i never hold the rails that way i get upper and lower body!
  • mom2allgirls
    mom2allgirls Posts: 48
    got this off of livestrong.com


    A person weighing 100 lbs. who exercises moderately on an elliptical trainer for 30 minutes will burn approximately 155 calories; if she exercises vigorously she will burn approximately 185 calories. Someone who weighs 150 lbs. will burn about 230 calories if he exercises moderately or 275 calories if exercising at a higher intensity. A person who weighs 200 lbs. will burn about 300 calories when exercising at a moderate level or about 370 calories if using the elliptical at a higher intensity.

    Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/301541-elliptical-trainer-calories/#ixzz1rrdyYtfH
  • Effy826
    Effy826 Posts: 33 Member
    I just orderd my HRM from amazon for about $55. Went with the Polar ft 4 with the chest strap. Had just the watch in a different brand and hated that I had to always put my fingers on it to get heart rate updates.
  • mom2allgirls
    mom2allgirls Posts: 48
    I just orderd my HRM from amazon for about $55. Went with the Polar ft 4 with the chest strap. Had just the watch in a different brand and hated that I had to always put my fingers on it to get heart rate updates.


    oh cool im going to look on there
This discussion has been closed.

Categories