Calorie readouts

[PaulSecteur]

Hi,

Jus wondering if the calorie counter on bike computers (such as the Edge 705) and exercise machines in the gym are accurate.

On one hand Im thinking they know the work done, so they should be at least quite accurate. But then again would it take the same ammount of calories for me to cycle up to Barr Beacon as a pro cyclist weighing 3 stone less would?

 

[GlasgowGaryH]

Thought you had to tell the Edge 705 your weight so it could take this into account

 

[amaferanga]

How do they know the work done without measuring power? They don't.

I have a power meter on my bike so I do know the work done for a ride and accounting for human efficiency, the work done equates to kcals burned. I know that my Garmin (FR310xt) under-reports by around 50-100%. I also know that some Garmins over-report by 50-100%.

Basically you'd be better to ignore the Garmin and just assume ~500 kcal per hour riding. You might burn more, but unless your just pootling about you're unlikely to burn significantly fewer calories than 500 in an hour.