HRM vs. Treadmill burn

MommyLyssa
MommyLyssa Posts: 134
in Fitness and Exercise
I am sure there are boards around here that answer this Q, and I am sorry if that is the case (I just had no idea what to search for in the search bar).

Anyway- so, I got a HRM at the store today, and set it all up and decided to try it out. For a 35 minute run/walk (I am still rather out of shape), my treadmill says I burned 254 calories...my HRM says I burned 532!!

Now, I know neither of these can tell the exact amount, but I just want an estimate of calories burned. Which one will be more accurate? I would assume the HRM, but that number is HUGE to me. (Although, if it were true, it would explain the plateau I fought with for a few months. I assumed I was eating just fine, but if this burn is accurate, I have not been eating enough (pardon the last few weeks of diary if you do end up going through it!

Oh, just in case it is needed. I am 22, 173ish lbs, 5'3" Should mention that my heart rate is 140ish when fast walking, and 180ish when running (which I try to do 50/50 of, but sometimes is more 60/40)

Replies

  • natini
    natini Posts: 347 Member
    That is a huge difference. I find that the treadmill over estimates my calories burned compared to my heart rate monitor. Did you set up your heart rate monitor with your specific information?

    I find that I burn about 100 calories for every mile that I run or walk.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    If you are not holding on to the handrails, the treadmill allows you to enter your weight, then usually a treadmill is more accurate for walking or doing a run/walk. That's because a treadmill measures the actual work you are performing. The HRM estimates the work based on HR, but HR can be affected by a number of variables unrelated to actual calories burned.

    In your case you likely either have a HRM that is not very accurate, or you are deconditioned so that your heart rate is staying elevated after your work intervals. That is causing the HRM to significantly overestimate your calories.
  • MommyLyssa
    MommyLyssa Posts: 134
    My treadmill doesn't allow me to put in weight or anything, and I try not to hold handrails as I go.

    I do know it takes my heart rate a while to drop back down at all, so that might be it.

    532 is almost 15 cals a minute, which is rather ridiculous. I think I might just average it to 10 cals a minute, which is around 300 calories, which is much closer to the treadmill amount.
  • meghan1789
    meghan1789 Posts: 81 Member
    My treadmill (or the one at gym) says I burn about 360 calories for a 35 minute run at 5mph. I'm 22 and 181 pounds. I don't use a HRM so I can't compare that, but your treadmill count seems a little low - probably because you can't input your age and weight.

    I would go with your HRM. See if it comes up with the same count every time for a few runs and maybe it will change.

    Good run though! :)
  • MommyLyssa
    MommyLyssa Posts: 134
    My treadmill (or the one at gym) says I burn about 360 calories for a 35 minute run at 5mph. I'm 22 and 181 pounds. I don't use a HRM so I can't compare that, but your treadmill count seems a little low - probably because you can't input your age and weight.

    I would go with your HRM. See if it comes up with the same count every time for a few runs and maybe it will change.

    Good run though! :)

    I would believe 360 calories (I have mine set to 3.0 incline min at all times). Just even MORE confused now. Ha!

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