How Do I calculate calories burnt??
- Thread starter MandyMac
- Start date
I have no idea how you would do this, but would be interesting to see if there is a way of doing this. Also just how accurate are the figures given for calories burnt on exercise machines, I have a treadmill and a bike at home, on the treadmill if i do a 10 minute jog at 6-8 mph it says I only burn like 40 calories but i am knackered, whereas on the bike i do ten minutes at about 17 - 20mph and it says i am burning over 150 calories, but i feel like i could cycle at that pace for a good while longer. if they are accurate then surely it would make sense to stay on the bike for longer even tho i feel like i am not working as hard as when i am on the treadmill. My feeling is that the figures give are balloni! any thoughts?
Cord the Seeker
New member
I plug all my food and exercise into a calculator at FitDay.com
It gives caloric values for many different kinds of physical activity. I'm not sure if it adjusts the values for weight, though.
I think the numbers most machines give are highly suspect, but I'm certainly no expert.
It gives caloric values for many different kinds of physical activity. I'm not sure if it adjusts the values for weight, though.
I think the numbers most machines give are highly suspect, but I'm certainly no expert.
I don't allow my clients to worry about such things. It's an exercise in futility since you're working on very rough estimates anyhow and there are too many variables at play.
So why waste time on it, is my take.
My approach with calories is very simple. Set a caloric goal based on whether you are wanting to lose, gain or maintain weight. Insert a *sane* amount of exercise into your life, which might consist of 3-4 days of resistance training and cardio you could get away with nearly every single day assuming it's all not high intensity stuff.
From there, tweak your calorie intake based on what your body is doing in relation to your goals.
I don't see a reason to make it more complex than that.
So why waste time on it, is my take.
My approach with calories is very simple. Set a caloric goal based on whether you are wanting to lose, gain or maintain weight. Insert a *sane* amount of exercise into your life, which might consist of 3-4 days of resistance training and cardio you could get away with nearly every single day assuming it's all not high intensity stuff.
From there, tweak your calorie intake based on what your body is doing in relation to your goals.
I don't see a reason to make it more complex than that.
txsqlchick
New member
.
As per online food item d/base, a small apple of 55 calories takes the following to "burn off":
- 15 mins of walking
- 6 mins of jogging
- 5 mins of swimming
- 8 mins of cycling
Based on this "average", each 60 minutes of walking would burn away 55 x 4 (15 minute blocks) = 220 calories. Or, simply put 220 calories per hour (for walking).
Note: Not too sure if this "average" can be applied to everyone's unique body or be applied to all walking conditions. But if one is DRAFT calculating how much walking to burn off that extra slice of birthday cake (LOL!!!), then "walking 1 hour = 220 calories burned" might help.
.
As per online food item d/base, a small apple of 55 calories takes the following to "burn off":
- 15 mins of walking
- 6 mins of jogging
- 5 mins of swimming
- 8 mins of cycling
Based on this "average", each 60 minutes of walking would burn away 55 x 4 (15 minute blocks) = 220 calories. Or, simply put 220 calories per hour (for walking).
Note: Not too sure if this "average" can be applied to everyone's unique body or be applied to all walking conditions. But if one is DRAFT calculating how much walking to burn off that extra slice of birthday cake (LOL!!!), then "walking 1 hour = 220 calories burned" might help.
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ColinJ
New member
I have a stationary bike with a readout which can display all sorts of information including 'calories burned'. It's completely fake data because all the device does is count how many revolutions the flywheel makes. It has no way of knowing how tight I have the friction brake done up so it claims that pedalling against almost zero friction is the same as pedalling against maximum reisistance. The only reading I take notice of is elapsed time. I decide in advance how long my session will be and whether it will be warm-up then steady, or warm-up then intervals. I put the effort in for that length of time, perhaps a little longer if I feel like it towards the end. That's it - I don't bother about how many calories it is supposed to have burned, I just know that the pool of sweat below the bike didn't get there by itself!
I know from experience that I burn about 1 pound of fat per 100 miles of vigorous hilly cycling. Exactly how much depends on how much I weigh at the time, how fast I am riding, how steep the hills are, wind conditions and so on and so forth. 100 hard miles = 1 pound is near enough for me. It tells me that it is easier not to take it in than it is to burn it off...
I try to get 5-10 hours a week of exercise and watch what I eat and drink. The weight comes off. If I drink beer, I don't lose much, perhaps 0.75 pounds a week. If I avoid the beer, it is more like 1.5 - 1.75 pounds a week.