While working out at the gym, many of us focus on the amount of calories we’re burning to figure out how long we should do an exercise. But, it makes us wonder how accurate these machines are at counting calories. How can a machine calculate how much effort you’re putting into an exercise to determine how many calories you burnt? The number often seem to good to be true. Are they actually accurate?
Elliptical
The elliptical trainer is probably the least accurate machine when it comes to counting calories as most machines overestimate your burn. They’re inaccurate because the movement isn’t natural and the range of motion differs from manufacturer to manufacturer. Also, when you use the arm levers you’re heart rate will increase, but your arms don’t weigh a lot compared to the rest of your body, which doesn’t mean a huge increase in calories expended.
Many people lean over the console and take super-short quick strides when doing the stair stepper, but this actually decreases calorie burn. Most models calculate the gross energy expenditure instead of the net energy expenditure, which includes your resting metabolic rate (the calories you burn from doing nothing).
In regards to gym equipment, the treadmill is the most accurate calorie counter. It’s even more accurate when you put in your weight and don’t use the handrails.
Stationary bikes that measure technical data like METs (metabolic equivalents) and watts (power output) are pretty accurate. However, they don’t measure your pedaling technique. If you’re using a standing climb posture at a heavy resistance, you’re burning more calories than if you’re seated at the same resistance.
