Accuracy of calories burned while biking

[Velocivixen]

To original poster: Why do you want this information? Training purposes? To gauge how much to eat? Just for kicks? Numbers nerd? I'm curious.

I use a Polar FT40 to see my calorie burn for every activity (fitness) I do. I don't eat more or less based on calorie burn. For me it just ensures that I get consistent calorie burn each week for fitness.

[bellissima]

Linda,

It appears that your zones are off on the Garmin and is as you are always riding zone 1. As OakLeaf sudjested measure your pulse at the top of that hill and compare the 2 if they agree set your zones and MHR to that number.

[nscrbug]

Linda,

It appears that your zones are off on the Garmin and is as you are always riding zone 1. As OakLeaf sudjested measure your pulse at the top of that hill and compare the 2 if they agree set your zones and MHR to that number.

Yes, it does appear that I never seem to get out of Zone 1, but for a few exceptions.

I am a little confused regarding your suggestions. So are you saying that I should lower my MHR to what it is after I climb a steep hill...instead of setting it at 176 (220 - 44)? If I got that right, then my MHR would end up being like 135...which seems awfully low. Can you explain a bit more?

Linda

[bellissima]

Yes, it does appear that I never seem to get out of Zone 1, but for a few exceptions.

I am a little confused regarding your suggestions. So are you saying that I should lower my MHR to what it is after I climb a steep hill...instead of setting it at 176 (220 - 44)? If I got that right, then my MHR would end up being like 135...which seems awfully low. Can you explain a bit more?

Linda

Linda, the 220-age doesn't work with everybody and it is meat to be a starting point. As an example I am 35 and my actual MHR is 195 and I've seen higher. if I use the formula 22-35 my MHR would be 185 and that is over 10 counts off on the other hand my friend is 42, his MHR from recorded races is 193, if we use 220-42= 178 also that is 15 counts off. At this point I would suggest to set your MHR at 135 and see if you get more realistic numbers. Also do another effort on that hill and try to measure your pulse to see if it is in line with your Garmin reading.

[Bike Chick]

Linda, based on both our experiences with this, I'm going to do some research on the Garmin site and let you know what I find out.

We did the 15 mile TT course last night with some grueling hills. My time was 50 minutes with a 17.1 average. I did not wear my hrm and the Garmin said I burned 759 calories. Just for comparison I went to caloriesperhour.com and put the info in and it said I should've burned 690 which is pretty close. Had I worn the hrm, it probably would've said 350!

[Bike Chick]

I just googled the term "Garmin 500 not calculating calories" and got a page full of the same complaints. Many forums, including Garmin's, have posts that address this issue so it's not just us. What I did read is that Garmin is aware of the issue and they will be coming out with a firmware upgrade to fix it soon. All I can say is just keep upgrading your Garmin when there is a firmware upgrade and see if it fixes the problem. Everything else on the 500 works great and I'm pleased with the computer in every other aspect.

[tongue_tied]

I mostly don't use the HR strap with my 500 because it gets irritating sometimes. But I've noticed that the 500 overestimates the calories burned, IMO, on a ride without the use of the strap. I was on the North Branch Trail this past Saturday, finished a 60 mile ride, and burned something like 3300 calories in 3 hours. No real climbing. My avg speed was 18mph. Even at 175, I think that's overestimating.

I've just learned that it's a loose gauge of calories burned.

[nscrbug]

To original poster: Why do you want this information? Training purposes? To gauge how much to eat? Just for kicks? Numbers nerd? I'm curious.

I'd have to say, "all of the above" as my answer. But mainly to gauge how many calories I need to consume in a day and how much activity I need to do. Ideally, I would like to lose a few pounds, but knowing these numbers will help to ensure that I won't GAIN any.

Linda