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Calories burn using HRM vs. Apple Watch

3779209
over 3 years ago

Hello.

I am using Apple Watch for tracking for a long while and decided to compare accuracy with my Garmin 830 using HRM

I did a few outdoor walks ( ~ 3 hours ) while have Apple Watch on my wrist and HRM at the same time.

Then I compared results: average heart rate was almost the same, pace was almost the same but calories burned calculated by Apple Watch was around 700 Cal while Garmin Connect displayed me only around 400-500 Cal.

Why it's so different and which one would you trust more? Likely they are using different algorithm for calculation but still 300 Cal sounds suspicious to me ..

Thanks

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    You can't calculate excatly the amount of calories burnt just by your heartrate, as there are too many factors.
    So every brand is using some algorithm. I would trust the Firstbeat Garmin is using a bit more then the Apple Watch one.
    For running you do some testing to evaluate your VOmax to get more accuracy.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to hulster

    Well I understand that but I am thinking that Apole has some algorithms plus hear rate from Watch while Garmin has another algorithm plus heart rate calculated by HRM. Why result is so different?
    Maybe Apple Watch is designed for this task while Garmin 830 is designed for riding and not walking hence I would trust more Apple in this case

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to 3779209

    The result is different due to the different algorithms. You will see differences in calorie numbers Between most devices using HR alone. Any calorie number is just an educated guess unless you have a power measuring device.

    No one can tell if the Apple or Garmin number is more accurate. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Wongataa

    I like that assumption :)

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    I've had the same experience when comparing Garmin 920 XT to Apple 5 series.  For running and outdoor cycling, often the heart rate  and distance are similar, however the calorie calculation is noticeably different (sometimes nearly doubled on Apple Watch).  Surprisingly, when I've worn my Apple Watch and Garmin for INDOOR  cycling or strength training activities, they are much closer in their calorie calculations. I agree that the different algorithms are likely the explanation.  

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to thefstopshere61

    Folks,

    Yesterday I did another experiment but this time not walking but cycling. 
    The ride was around 2 hours and I wear Apple Watch and HRM connected to Garmin. 

    While HRM and AW showed practically the same average speed, heart rate and distance the burned calories were different:

    AW :        650

    Garmin :  518

    Sounds like I should stop continue comparing and simply follow one or another device. 
    Would you agree?
    Thanks

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to 3779209

    Yes.  Pick the number from one of the devices.