Polar Heart Monitor - Burned HOW MANY CALORIES?

moochachip
moochachip Posts: 237 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I bought a new Polar Heart Monitor several weeks ago, and it seemed to be working pretty well. Yesterday I worked on strength for about an hour and 20 minute or so, and according to my watch it said I burned 636 calories. I worked hard.. So considered that could be possible.

Today I went on a bike ride for about an hour and 45 minutes, and according to the watch it said I burned 775 calories.

WHAT? Is this possible? Sure there were several up hills, and averaged (according to the bike) about 15 mph... But 775 calories seems a little high to me.

Has anyone else ever encountered something like this?

Replies

  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    For strength training, HRM's are not accurate.. too many variables for them to accurately estimate calories burned.

    For an hour and 45 minutes of cycling, I could see 775.

    Which Polar do you have?
  • moochachip
    moochachip Posts: 237 Member
    For strength training, HRM's are not accurate.. too many variables for them to accurately estimate calories burned.

    For an hour and 45 minutes of cycling, I could see 775.

    Which Polar do you have?
    I have the FT4. I had one before this one, and it worked great.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    For strength training, HRM's are not accurate.. too many variables for them to accurately estimate calories burned.

    For an hour and 45 minutes of cycling, I could see 775.

    Which Polar do you have?
    I have the FT4. I had one before this one, and it worked great.

    Which one did you have before?

    If it's one that incorporates Vo2Max(which the FT4 does not) then that would account for the calorie burned difference.

    Also make sure the strap is wet enough/tight enough.. and also try washing it to see if that helps.
  • Nicci93
    Nicci93 Posts: 397 Member
    I have the Polar FT40 and it says I burn significantly more then a lot of the MFP measurements.

    I'm inclined to believe the heart rate monitor though because I feel like I'm working hard enough to be at the heart rate they are reading. If you are putting in your maximum effort, then it is possible to burn that much =)

    But if you are worried about it, average out the MFP calories and what the heart rate monitor says
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    As someone else said, HRMs are not accurate with strength training. I have a polar ft7, which I love. I use it to watch my time inbetween sets when lifting and turn it on when I start doing cardio.

    I would definetly suggest you check and make sure the age, weight, height, and sex are set up correctly. I think it automatically assumes youre 150lb male?

    If that is set up correctly, then make sure it is not reading funky Heart Rates during your work out (give it a glance) and check the "average heart rate". Is the average heart rate around 180 or lower? Then it is probably correct!
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