Accuracy of Polar FT7 calories burned?

steph96

People always say that the treadmills and calculations on MFP overestimate the number of calories burned, but my HRM is giving me close to double what those say.  I do have a high resting HR (anywhere from 70's to 90's depending on the day), so I don't know if that could be throwing the numbers off.  I have got similar results both times I used my HRM while doing C25k (plus a cool-down).  Here's the stats it gives me on one:

Duration: 40 minutes

Calories:  489

Average HR: 178

Maximum HR: 200 (which is actually almost spot on with what formulas say is actually my maximum, so shouldn't I be having a heart attack or something if I work out at 100% my heart's limit?)

All my stats I entered when I set it up are correct.  I wet the electrodes.  My treadmill BPM reading is the same as the watch.  I have taken my own pulse and it gives me the same number.  Am I really burning that many calories since I'm so out of shape?  Or is my high resting heart rate throwing off the calories burned?

J&K10910

Your HR is REALLY high.  If you're taking your own pulse and getting numbers that high, as well, I would slow down. 

And your max HR isn't "100% your heart's limit"  It's the highest recommended HR that you should be at for periods of time.  But you still shouldn't stay at it for a long time, and your average HR is a bit concerning to me.

I think for your average HR listed, that the calories burned seems fairly reasonable.  You don't have to tell us how much you weigh, but that's also a factor.  The more you (general you) weigh, the more calories you're going to burn (to an extent).

Being so out of shape is probably the reason your HR is so high.  I would take your workouts down a notch.  With an average that high, I feel like I would be incredibly uncomfortable through the whole workout, and exhausted at the end. 

lmark7786

I also have this, and see the same results. My HR averages in the low to mid 160s, and doing 45 mins of cardio burns around 450-500 cals depending on how intense I work.

entropicbeauty

I'm pretty overweight and my heartrate during a good cardio session averages around 160 and in a 40 minute session I can easily burn 500 (depending on how high I put the levels, how hard I work etc.)

I assume this is correct, but I am going by the sensors on the machine, not a heart rate monitor.

steph96

I feel fine during my workouts.  It can get tough at certain points, but I don't feel like I'm going too hard.  I feel great after my workouts and have lots of energy.  I will probably try to tone it down a little bit anyways just to be on the safe side.

I guess I'm just really amazed at how many calories I actually am burning!

pxbride13

i had the same issue this morning. i also have the polar f4 hrm, which i used for the first time today. i did level 2 of 30ds and the first day of c25k. after both workouts, i registered at 731 cal. I felt the count was a bit high...