Thought about it a few times but never really researched it until I saw the question here. I found this at exercise.about.com:
Q. How accurate are the calorie counts on gym machines?
From Paige Waehner,
Your Guide to Exercise.
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A. First, it's important to remember that the calorie counts on machines (or those you get from using any formula) are just estimates and will never be 100% accurate. Cardio machines usually have a computer that uses standard formulas to figure out how many calories you're burning with exercise. But, these machines and formulas don't always take into account all the factors involved in energy expenditure.
For example, most machines don't take into account your body fat percentage. A person who has a higher percentage of body fat will usually burn less calories than a person with more muscle mass. It also doesn't take into account your fitness level...if you're new to an activity, you'll usually burn more calories than a fit person doing the same activity.
Some experts estimate that cardio machines can overestimate calories burned by up to 10-15% so it's best not to take these numbers as gospel but, instead, simply use them as a benchmark from workout to workout. Instead of relying on calories burned, go by your perceived exertion and/or keep track of your target heart rate. If two machines show the same number of calories burned but one feels easier and keeps your heart rate lower, that's a sign that you're probably burning less calories than you think.
FAQ Index
Q. How accurate are the calorie counts on gym machines?
From Paige Waehner,
Your Guide to Exercise.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
A. First, it's important to remember that the calorie counts on machines (or those you get from using any formula) are just estimates and will never be 100% accurate. Cardio machines usually have a computer that uses standard formulas to figure out how many calories you're burning with exercise. But, these machines and formulas don't always take into account all the factors involved in energy expenditure.
For example, most machines don't take into account your body fat percentage. A person who has a higher percentage of body fat will usually burn less calories than a person with more muscle mass. It also doesn't take into account your fitness level...if you're new to an activity, you'll usually burn more calories than a fit person doing the same activity.
Some experts estimate that cardio machines can overestimate calories burned by up to 10-15% so it's best not to take these numbers as gospel but, instead, simply use them as a benchmark from workout to workout. Instead of relying on calories burned, go by your perceived exertion and/or keep track of your target heart rate. If two machines show the same number of calories burned but one feels easier and keeps your heart rate lower, that's a sign that you're probably burning less calories than you think.
FAQ Index
uppy:
I think that is very accurate, the key isn't burning calories within that hour, the key is building muscle so your body burns the calories all the time, not just during exercise...the more muscle the more calories burnt even while resting and the faster the metabolsim.
Most people would be very surprised at how few calories one would burn over an hour workout...and even a pretty decent aerobic workout.
Most people would be very surprised at how few calories one would burn over an hour workout...and even a pretty decent aerobic workout.
