Accuracy Of Cardio Calorie Counters?

[k0bun]

I usually never pay attention to the "calories burned" calculations on the cardio equipment. My cardio is time and intensity based. However today I was speaking with a woman at the gym and she had mentioned that she just burned off half of her breakfast, according to the eliptical machine readout. It got me curious as to how accurate these machines are for calculating calorie expenditure. Assuming you program in your correct age, weight, etc. What do you think?

Thanks

[magicmatt]

i wouldnt trust the exact figure of them. best way to tell is to get a heart rate monitor.

[PhobosWebDev]

I use a Polar heart monitor which usually is far more accurate than the heart monitors that you have to keep your hands on at all times in order for it to get your heart rate. The important thing about the accuracy of the calories counters on the machines is that you enter your weight in correctly.

[Primol]

Originally Posted by k0bun

I usually never pay attention to the "calories burned" calculations on the cardio equipment. My cardio is time and intensity based. However today I was speaking with a woman at the gym and she had mentioned that she just burned off half of her breakfast, according to the eliptical machine readout. It got me curious as to how accurate these machines are for calculating calorie expendeture. Assuming you program in your correct age, weight, etc. What do you think?

Thanks

its not accurate at all. it is just an estimate.

i learned recently that the only way to accurately measure calories burned on cardio exercises and is to hook up a machine to monitor the amount of your C02 expenditure. please someone correct me if i am wrong.

[AphtaLyfe]

Originally Posted by Primol

its not accurate at all. it is just an estimate.

i learned recently that the only way to accurately measure calories burned on cardio exercises and is to hook up a machine to monitor the amount of your C02 expenditure. please someone correct me if i am wrong.

You are right.