Hello,
Just wanted to get some feedback on the numbers that Garmin give you on the calories burned while working out. I did a ride yesterday for 1:08 where I averaged 28km per hour with an average heartrate of 152. Not super fit as you can tell by my numbers. Anyways, the Garmin software says that I burned over 2000 calories for the ride. Is that possible. Anyone ever look at this information on the Garmin Software.
Anyone ever look at this information on the Garmin Software.
I recently got a 201, and I’ve noticed the calorie information on that, too. Interesting, but about as accurate as a WAG, I think.
Couple of things to keep in mind:
Have you customized the weight setting in the unit? The default weight is 150 lbs. Or at least that’s the setting mine came with.
The activities listed under the calorie counter profile page, I think, are all running activities. (Sprinting, running, jogging, walking, etc.) I don’t think they carry over all that accurately to cycling.
Even if they did carry over to cycling, I don’t know how accurate they’d be in real world scenarios. If you rode 28 km in 1:00, for example, you’re going to burn a lot more calories if you’re riding into a 15 kmh headwind, and I don’t know if the Garmin takes that into account. (I know the 201 doesn’t, that is. The calorie counter on the 301 might be based off your heartrate. I’m not sure.)
The other thing is that there’s no way for the unit to know your individual metabolic rate.
So, like I said, interesting, but probably not very accurate.
I think it is too complex to calculate by weight, ago and HR alone… My advice take with a large grain of salt…
i would assume that 2,000 is WAY off.
I figured that it was way out. I did change the weight settings to reflect my true weight. I am at 185 right now so I seriously doubt that I burned over 2000 calories in an hour of bike riding at an average pace of 28km. I do not think the Garmin takes into account anything other than age, heartrate and weight.
Have to say that the information on the motionbased site is pretty cool to look at and review.
Not sure if this is the case with you…but I’ve found the calories differs whether use are using the speed or pace setting.
Pace - calories per hour higher b/c it assumes you are running.
Speed - assumes you are biking.
I’d say this is yet another example of how Motionbased features trump Garmin…
The 301 has completely different profiles/modes for running and biking - a huge upgrade from the 201 if you ask me.