jevansio Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I just wondered if anyone knew how accurate the "calories used" figure that machines in the cardio room. I'm thinking about stuff like Cross Trainer, Step Machine, Rowing Machine etc. As an idea I go on the Cross Trainer for 15mins (level 16 of 20, random mode, approx 70rpm) and it says I've done approx 310 calories. In the hour I spend doing cardio it says I burn on average 1000 cals, does this sound correct or are the machines notorious for over exaggerating? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 1000 cals an hour is a good workout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I would go more by heart rate than calories... Know what range your HR should be and go from there. The machines are probably a good at a ball park figure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratty Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 As the man said... Go by heart rate... The machines will give you an estimated calories burned but can be quite different to the actual calories burnt. It really all depends how strict you are with your diet as well. If you are estimating calories in what you eat then you could be way out at the end of the day. What is your goal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konrad Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 My gf (who is fitness instructor) agrees with HR theory. She said that optimal HR is 220 - your age - 35% of remaining score - eg I'm 32 so 220 - 32 - (188*30%) = 132. She also said that according to some research interval exercises are even better. It means you start lightly, then go more intense to some peak point then slow down again and repeat. She says interval ones are best when cycling - it's easiest to control your hearth rate this way and intervals are smooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Most of the individual heart rate monitors should be a lot more accurate, as they take your height, weight, age and HR into consideration when they tell you calories burnt. I use a Polar Cycling specific HR monitor and I also have a hiking specific one. Very good bits of kit!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratty Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I have Polar as well and they are very good. Interval training is indeed the way to go. This method can be used for most exercises as it is a very simple routine. For example, it using it for running, you use a parymid format. Jog for 30 seconds Sprint for 30 seconds Jog for 45 seconds Sprint for 45 seconds Jog for 60 seconds Sprint for 60 seconds Jog for 45 seconds Sprint for 45 seconds Jog for 30 seconds Sprint for 30 seconds I use interval training as part of my training regime and it is fantastic for increasing speed and is a great calorie burner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewie Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Tread mill calorie counters are okay if accurately calibrated. Calorie or metric joule is a unit of work energy which is simply your mass times distance travelled. Where it goes all pear shaped is for so much work you wil perspire so much water. Currently training for the London marathon I know I lose 2 kg on a 2 hr run. The trouble is not all of it's water. The body breaks down muscle glycogen, fat and even muscle. A good indication of how good your workout is the colour of your p*ss because this is all bits of you being flushed out after being used for up energy. As a workout, fast interval training is good and is more CV beneficial than plodding at a slow steady rate. I quit running with heart rate monitors. The keep getting on your tits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I bought one of those watches with the heart rate monitor etc. Tried it a few times and my heart rate seemed to be going much higher than it supposedly should accept I felt fine, not even out of breath. Decided not to look in the end. Ignorance is Bliss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 As the man said... Go by heart rate... The machines will give you an estimated calories burned but can be quite different to the actual calories burnt. It really all depends how strict you are with your diet as well. If you are estimating calories in what you eat then you could be way out at the end of the day. What is your goal? My goal is to shed weight without looking like an AIDS victim. When I started I was 16 stone, I'm now down to 14.5 stone. I'm training 4 to 5 days a week, 3 to 4 cardio, 1 to 2 weights. I started off doing manual mode on all the machines, but I've started to do the interval/random settings (one of my mates told me that was better). So these heart rate monitor things, do they estimate calorific usage? Are they like a little device you clip on to your wrist etc? Anyone point me to a good one? The machines have heartrate sensors on but they also pickup Polar (???) devices, is that what you guys are on about? PS I've adapted my diet, cut out chocolate & full fat coke at work & replaced with water from the cooler. Same at home and I just don't go overboard like I used to. Cut down on takeaways and when i do get one I get a Chicken Kebab. I basically don't mind if it take me years to lose the weight as long as it comes off steady, I still want to enjoy my life/eating. Oh I've tried to cut down the alcohol too but that ain't working so good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratty Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Interval training should be incorporated into your marathon training also as this fires your fast twitch fibres which in turn will help increase your overall pace. I have run numerous extreme marathons around the world and was amazed at the difference interval training made to my times when incorporated into a routine. I just wished I had used it years ago..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewie Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Most heart rate monitors strap around your chest to pick up the heart beats. good for posing down the gym. Really pointless unless you have a heart condition or really do push yourself to the max limit. Go on anything more than a 100 m run and they all end up around your waist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratty Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 If you are aiming to lose weight, then I would increase your weights sessions. Try to do 3 a week and work your cardio around that. Remember, that a good weights workout will still burn calories up to 48 hours after your workout. A lot of cardio will simply leave you skinny and you will suffer from loss of muscle mass. The golden rule though....... Everything starts with your diet...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 If you are aiming to lose weight, then I would increase your weights sessions. Try to do 3 a week and work your cardio around that. Remember, that a good weights workout will still burn calories up to 48 hours after your workout. A lot of cardio will simply leave you skinny and you will suffer from loss of muscle mass. The golden rule though....... Everything starts with your diet...... Yeah, I ache over a day after a weights session, the cardio started off hard but now the next day I feel completely normal. I'm training with a mate (for support ) so maybe we'll add a weights session & drop a cardio. That's good as I actually look forward to the weights, the cardio is like pulling teeth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratty Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 If you want to read through some tips for exercise or diet, have a look at my website: http://www.freewebs.com/letsgetfitter/index.htm Some bits might come in useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 If you want to read through some tips for exercise or diet, have a look at my website: http://www.freewebs.com/letsgetfitter/index.htm Some bits might come in useful. Cheers Stratty, will check that out tonight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbloodyturbo Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I started going to the gym just after xmas (as most people do) and mainly do weights but i've noticed a big drop in my weight. I went from 16 stone 2lb's to 15 stone 10lbs with a week or two, I was told that you burn a lot of calories lifting weights and that as you grow more muscle you begin to use more energy even at rest, whether its true or not I dont know but I've definately lost weight by doing just weights. The only problem is its on its way back up, i'm just hoping its muscle thats going on and not pies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratty Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 If you are keeping a pretty clean diet and are not consuming much more than your daily allowance then yeah, you are certainly going in the right direction. Dont worry about the weight side of things and measure bodyfat instead. It is an easy way to keep an eye on things. Get a pair of measuring calipers, they are a useful tool. Well done with the results so far... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 The calorie count on machines are on the very generous side from my experience. Example, 60 minutes high intensity on step machine: Machine reading 1500 calories burnt. Polar heart rate monitor (calibrated for me) 1200 calories ! I agree with Stratty a couple of interval sesssions a week coupled with weight sessions and you should get fat loss. I wouldn't be so preoccupied by your actual weight but more your body fat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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