I was checking out the fitness website that hooks up with
my treadmill, came across what I thought was some
interesting information regarding the lcd displays and how
caloric burn is calculated for those lcd's. We've talked
about this many times in the past, how those readouts are
deceiving and must be just a standard calculation thing and
how we all don't fit into that standard. Well, now I've
seen something in writing to somewhat confirm that (and how
to get a more accurate calculation for MY brand of
equipment). I am sure that all equipment manufacturers do
the same thing, am unsure as to if they all use the same
base figure. Anyway ........
I have a Proform treadmill. The website says that their
treadmills use a default weight of 185 to calculate caloric
burn. So obviously the lcd readout will tell me that I have
worked off a bunch more calories than I really have - will
also tell hub that he has worked off less than he has (he
weighs more than 185). For me to get a truer calculation,
they have posted a formula to use - I am only posting the
non-complicated one. <g>
Divide your weight by the default, multiply that result by
the amount of calories shown on the lcd display. For example
... If I weighed 135, I would divide my weight by 185.
135/185 = 0.7297 multiply that number by the number of
calories my machine says I've burned: .7297 x 350 =
255.395 So in reality, I have burned 255 calories in
my workout.
This might be one of those things that other home equipment
users will want to look into. While the default weight might
be different in each machine/brand, I would be willing to
take a guess that the 185 number might be pretty close to an
industry standard ... or even if using that number, it might
give you a better idea of how many calories you have really
burned off.
One more note that caught my attention .... "it is
interesting to note that incline work is half as effective
if the user is running versus walking. So walk on an incline
to maximize the burn". Glad I don't like running! <g>
Joyce