Accuracy of calories burned while biking

[DarcyInOregon]

Linda, if you don't solve the problem, you can ask your question at the Garmin Forums: https://forums.garmin.com/

When I was new to using the Garmin some years ago, I got low heart rate readings over a ride when I didn't check my heart rate before starting out to make sure the chest strap was transmitting correctly. I learned to always check the heart rate before putting the Garmin on my bike, and that solved the problem. Sometimes the chest strap was too loose. Othertimes, the bra band bumped out the chest strap, which interfered with transmission. When you are checking your heart rate after turning on the Garmin, the heart rate should be about the same as if you are at home washing dishes, i.e. standing up and doing a bit of body movement, not sitting or sleeping. If fussing with the strap and clothing isn't effective, then put a new battery in the chest strap, and if that doesn't work, then try asking in the Garmin Forums.

Once you get the Garmin to working for you, you will love it. Just about every cyclist in the two training groups in which I participate have a Garmin and there are zero complaints as to accuracy.

[bellissima]

nscrbug, The new Garmin uses Prediction of functional aerobic capacity without exercise testing as one of the parameters to calculate your calories, make sure that your "Activity Class" is set up correctly on your device profile, also the gender, age, weight and height values have to be correct as this would cause a low or high calorie values depending on the activity class setting. You may have to change the Activity Class settings in order to get more accurate calorie count reading.

[nscrbug]

nscrbug, The new Garmin uses Prediction of functional aerobic capacity without exercise testing as one of the parameters to calculate your calories, make sure that your "Activity Class" is set up correctly on your device profile, also the gender, age, weight and height values have to be correct as this would cause a low or high calorie values depending on the activity class setting. You may have to change the Activity Class settings in order to get more accurate calorie count reading.

Hmmm...okay, since I don't actually have my Garmin right in front of me...can anyone tell me what the different "activity classes" are? And how would one determine which class is the correct one? I'm sure I entered a value in for this field, but at the moment I can't remember what it was. Can anyone help?

Linda

[Blueberry]

Hmmm...okay, since I don't actually have my Garmin right in front of me...can anyone tell me what the different "activity classes" are? And how would one determine which class is the correct one? I'm sure I entered a value in for this field, but at the moment I can't remember what it was. Can anyone help?

Linda

You can find the chart here (that's the Quick Start for the 310XT, but I don't think the classes differ. It's a number (1-10) that gives the device an idea of how much you exercise and with what frequency.

[nscrbug]

You can find the chart here (that's the Quick Start for the 310XT, but I don't think the classes differ. It's a number (1-10) that gives the device an idea of how much you exercise and with what frequency.

Thank you!!! I just updated this info in my settings on Garmin Connect...although I am certain that I entered this info on the actual Edge 500 unit itself. I chose to enter a "9" for activity class, even though I'm actually more like a "10", which is over 15 hours/week. I'm at the gym a minimum of 3 hours, 5 days/week...in addition to my long weekend rides which can typically be anywhere between 3-5 hours. Yes...I exercise a LOT. We'll see what happens on my ride tomorrow, with my HR & calorie burn. I'll post an update.

Linda

[bellissima]

Thank you!!! I just updated this info in my settings on Garmin Connect...although I am certain that I entered this info on the actual Edge 500 unit itself. I chose to enter a "9" for activity class, even though I'm actually more like a "10", which is over 15 hours/week. I'm at the gym a minimum of 3 hours, 5 days/week...in addition to my long weekend rides which can typically be anywhere between 3-5 hours. Yes...I exercise a LOT. We'll see what happens on my ride tomorrow, with my HR & calorie burn. I'll post an update.

Linda

Linda, Prediction of functional aerobic capacity without exercise testing is used by Garmin in order to set the values for people that hasn't have a fitness test done or don't know their HR zones, it does not warranty that will set your zones correctly. I believe for you would be a good idea to check what values are set up as your max HR, resting HR and zones as these get set up by the Garmin when selecting you Activity Class at the beginning of the set up. If you know what is your maximum heart rate, resting heart rate and what are your heart rate zones, input those in your Garmin and you'll get a more accurate reading.

[OakLeaf]

bellissima, what do the zones actually mean?

It seems to me, as I said before, that my old old Garmin derived mine reasonably accurately, at least as they correspond to my perceived exertion.

My MHR for running is around 188, resting around 50, but it goes up pretty quickly with any activity. Zone 1 starts at 86 according to the Garmin, which is about where it goes at moderately brisk walking. But then Zone 2 doesn't start until 146, which is about where my respiration rate starts to increase appreciably. I can't run at all, not even a slow jog, with a HR below around 135, and if I can keep it there, I do NOT feel like I'm working.

So from there, zones 2 through 5 are quite narrow - 9 or 10 bpm. That doesn't make a lot of sense, and it's tough when I'm supposed to stay in zone 3, for instance ... but again, it works with my perceived exertion.

What's your take???

[nscrbug]

Darcy...I've been perusing the Garmin forums for the past 2 days. I've found several threads discussing the "low calorie burn" issue, but haven't really come across a solution for it. So...my plan of action is to test the unit against my own pulse rate before I ride, and then change the battery in the HR strap to see if that helps. I've only had it for a little over a month, so I'm guessing it's not a low battery issue...but for $5, I'll give it a shot. I'm also going to buy a bottle of HR gel to use on the contacts. I'm fairly certain that my bra is not the cause, because I position the HR strap underneath the bottom band of my bra and it generally doesn't budge at all. IF, after all these attempts, I'm still not getting any love...then I will contact Garmin about getting a replacement strap...maybe I got a bum one.