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Calories burned - gamin vs runkeeper

Former Member over 9 years ago

Hello

I just got myself a brand new Fenix 3 HR - VERY satisfied.
Anyway, I just noticed a BIG difference in how Garmin calculates Calories. I just finished a 25k run, and Runkeeper calculates this to about 2100 Calories, while Garmin says 1500. That is quite a big difference, given the age/weight/gender settings are just the same, and they are both on the same track with the same route/tracks.

I also checked some other free calorie-burner-websites, to see how they calculate, and they seem to agree with Runkeeper....

Any ideas?

0 JSRUNNER_ over 9 years ago

What are you intending to use the calorie value for?

It's always going to be an inaccurate value - but can be useful as an ongoing comparison - as long as you pick one of the apps or websites to do your tracking that's the main thing.

0 Former Member over 9 years ago

As far as I know Garmin calculates calorie burn for exercise not including what you would burn as part of your BMR during the activity, that's included in your resting calories, so it should be more accurate, also if using a the heart rate function on the fenix 3 that uses "firstbeat tech".

Have a look at the below blurb...

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/11/how-calorie-measurement-works-on-garmin.html

All in, I'd say that your device reading is likely to be more accurate than runkeepers estimate. As noted they are all estimates and I was a wee bit disheartened when I was getting lower calorie burns with my Garmin Forerunner (average 75-85 cals per mile running hard and 60 per mile calories walking), but if the Garmin is closer to the actual burn, then I can, (with some confidence) trust it and eat back my calories burned to maintain my weight.

I had previously been eating back around 50-75% of exercise cals using strava's estimates and My fitness pal as after doing a bit of reading I had thought that it was overestimating. Now I'm eating back 100% by trusting Garmin and in both cases I have been maintaining my weight. This leads me to conclude (at least in my own experience that Garmin is giving me a more accurate estimate.

All the best and hope that makes some sense.

Graham.

0 Former Member over 9 years ago

Well, nevertheless, - my question was rather why Garmin is so different from everyone else...

0 Mentox over 9 years ago

I agree with Kanerz16/Graham`s findings, I would guess that Garmin excludes the BMR hence the lower number. When I follow the calories burned according to Runkeeper or Strave my weight fluctuates more than when I use Garmin. Now I have the Fenix 3 HR my weight is much more stable.

0 Former Member over 9 years ago

Well, nevertheless, - my question was rather why Garmin is so different from everyone else...

My guess would be if Garmin is more accurate , they can sell as such and increase their customer base/profits...