Calories with HRM

[Dani53]

Hey gals! I have a question about HRM's. When I am on my treadmill it simply gives me a standard calorie burned number for a set distance. It does not matter if I am climbing, running or walking...the calories at 3 miles is the same no matter what I do.

I started wearing my Polar instead of just trusting the treadmill calories and it is radically different. Today I did 5 miles and according to my Polar I burned 611 calories. According the the treadmill it was only 400. Big difference!

I have been averaging the two numbers, but still wanted to know someone else's opinion. How do I really figure out what I am burning or does it really matter?

 

[pixie9]

If your HRM takes into accounts your age, height, heart rate, weight, and maybe gender, then I would trust it over any other machine. The treadmill just uses your weight(if I remember correctly) and cannot keep track of your HR the entire time(unless it's comptible with your HRM), so it really can't be that accurate.

Carolyn

 

[treebaby]

Hello! I can't give you any advice, but I wanted to tell you my similar experience. I just got an Acumen heart rate monitor and used it for the first time on Monday. My treadmill showed after 5 miles that I burned approximately 650 calories and my heart rate monitor showed 1031. My treadmill is only taking into consideration the actual speed and distance when calculating the calories I guess while the heart rate monitor is using more in depth information, i.e. age, etc. I know I have not helped you at all, but I wanted to share that I had a similar experience. I'm going with the calories on my heart rate monitor. I like that number better!

 

[workoutqueen]

Hello,

I know, it can really drive you crazy. What I usually do with my HRM is take the reading and subtract 30%--I read in several magazines over the years that electronic equipment --including HRMs are often off by 25-30%.

Hope this helps,

Katrina

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

Treadmills and other machines are wrong unless they take into account your age, gender, height and weight. Otherwise, it is a "general population" ballpark at best! Last I read, the general population is very overweight/obese. No such thing as a "one size fits all" when it comes to calories burned.

In short, go with the # on your HRM. I wouldn't average anything since the treadmill is no where near correct. My treadmill consistantly gives me a reading 3 TIMES what my HRM gives me.