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Why are my calories burned during activity so low?

Former Member over 9 years ago

Did a 6.5 mile run this morning and GC is telling me I burned 540 calories. That is way low, like at the very least 200 calories low.....but more like 300-350.

Based on my age, v02 max, average HR, and weight, I should have burned 844 calories for that run. So Garmin is telling me I burned 300 calories less than that.

What gives? Why is the calorie burn so low for Garmin?

Here is my run, in case you're curious. I'm 28, 5'11, 154 pounds, v02 max of 45.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1163589738

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0 Former Member over 9 years ago

Anyone?

0 Former Member over 9 years ago

redhaven lake

Anyone?

I get similar calorie burns. I remember reading somewhere that the garmin calorie burn estimate is based upon net calories i.e. calories burned from the exercise alone and not inclusive of your resting calories. so for example if u go for a 3 mile run and it takes 30 mins garmin will only show you the calories burned from the run and not the calories u would've burned anyway within that 30mins. For what its worth I prefer this method and feel its more accurate than other estimates I've seen.

It can be disheartening, but worth it if your concerned about calories for weight loss/maintenance.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Anyone?

Calorie burns where slow during some activities even in my case but then I restarted the tracker and now it shows proper results. And yes, It also makes difference if the your diet is not proper and also workouts should be regularly done. My friend has the same problem her calorie burn so low for Garmin in activiites but then when she added some good supplements to her diet she got amazing results. Visit website to get more information about this.

0 Former Member over 4 years ago

I ran the Pikes Peak 50k Ultra and it told me I burned 2,970 calories. I am 195lb, it was 31 miles, 7,500ft gain and loss, over 6 hours and 45 min... That is very low.

It does that with all my long runs. This morning I ran 13.33miles, 3,000ft gain, and loss and its telling me I only burned 1,258...

+1 trux over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

It does that with all my long runs. This morning I ran 13.33miles, 3,000ft gain, and loss and its telling me I only burned 1,258...

Calories burned during an activity are basically calculated on the basis of the heart rate. Though the daily average Resting HR, and the HR Variabiltiy play an important role in it too. So if you thnk the results are wrong, one possibility is, that your HR monitor does not report the right HR (and/or the HR Variability), and the other possibility is, that your curernt average Resting HR does not correspond to the reality. That can happen especially if you do not wear the watch 24/7

However, 1258 kcal for a half-maraton could be credible (Google finds 1100 - 1600 Calories for this distance)

Also check out thee thread Calories burned during runs are suddenly inaccurate for a more detailed info.

0 Jogger2425 over 4 years ago

It's only an estimate.

Calories burned can't accurately be measured through a heart rate monitor. To get an accurate measurement, you would need to be breathing through a machine that measures how much CO2 you are exhaling. That isn't practical to do during a run, unless the runner is on a treadmill.