I hope to one day get to the point that I don't always think about calories in and calories burned, but for now, I'm still watching and learning. Here's my question..... Which one of the readouts would you think is the most accurate for a one hour (6.2mi) elliptical workout:

1. MyFitnessPal ( which I believe totally OVER estimates calorie expenditure)

2. Readout on elliptical, once you add in your current weight

3. FitBit readout (which I haven't bought yet)

Just curious to read different opinions......

IF....you are keeping your heartrate info accurate on the elliptcal some way, maybe by holding onto the sensors, etc, it will be more accurate than any non heartrate adjusted program like MFP, Loseit!, etc.

I used to input the time I worked out into a couple of different apps on the smartphone...not really accurate at all.

Now, I use a HRM from Garmin....and LOVE it! Heres one from yesterday.... http://connect.garmin.com/activity/430431934

I agree that my fitness pal overestimates. The elliptical I use requires you to input your age and weight before you start so I think it is somewhat accurate. For 1 hour and approximately 6.2 miles I get approximatel 584 calories. Is this close to your number? I do think the old adage of calories in and calories out is still somewhat accurate although other things can impact it such as Water retention, any medications you are on, time of the month etc.

I agree that my fitness pal overestimates. The elliptical I use requires you to input your age and weight before you start so I think it is somewhat accurate. For 1 hour and approximately 6.2 miles I get approximatel 584 calories. Is this close to your number? I do think the old adage of calories in and calories out is still somewhat accurate although other things can impact it such as Water retention, any medications you are on, time of the month etc.

The elliptical readout for 1 hour for me is ..... Approximately 625-630 calories

I'm 53 and current weight is 229 ( down from 327..... WooHoo!!!!!)

IF....you are keeping your heartrate info accurate on the elliptcal some way, maybe by holding onto the sensors, etc, it will be more accurate than any non heartrate adjusted program like MFP, Loseit!, etc.

I used to input the time I worked out into a couple of different apps on the smartphone...not really accurate at all.

Now, I use a HRM from Garmin....and LOVE it! Heres one from yesterday.... http://connect.garmin.com/activity/430431934

That HRM readout is so detailed.... I'm very interested in researching this more. Bought the FitBit for my husband for Christmas (secretly hoping he wouldn't use it or lose interest in it, and I would take it over ), but darn it.... He uses it!!!!! Hadn't heard about the HRM.... I'm going to look into that one!

BTW..... Are you from Louisiana?

That HRM readout is so detailed.... I'm very interested in researching this more. Bought the FitBit for my husband for Christmas (secretly hoping he wouldn't use it or lose interest in it, and I would take it over ), but darn it.... He uses it!!!!! Hadn't heard about the HRM.... I'm going to look into that one!

BTW..... Are you from Louisiana?

I'm from just outside St. Louis, Mo in Collinsville, IL.

I've told several people in the last year, that Garmin is THE best fitness $$ I've ever spent!! It keeps track of anything and everything you could ever want. Its' encouraging/motivating to see where you started from and how you progress. It will be quite addicting after you start using it. I bought it for cycling to begin with, but now use it for running/cycling/swimming, even just going on hikes, (mushroom hunting last spring!) it allows you to put in "waypoints" and will lead you exactly back to where you want to go....secret mushroom spots

There are several different ones available, Polar makes some good ones too. You don't have to get the watch style. Depending on if you use certain smartphones, all you may need is a heartrate strap....they will sync to various programs on most smart phones via bluetooth. Starting around $70 Go to a running or cycling store and tell them what you want to do, which smartphone you have, and I'm sure they'll be more than happy to recommend different ones.

I bought mine off of Ebay and saved quite a bit compared to retail at a brick and mortar store.

The calories burned on the eliptical sounds pretty close to mine. Also level of resistance is a factor. A tip I picked up at the gym is to mix in pedaling backwards it uses differernt muscles and for me is more challenging.

Polar has a new activity tracker that can do heart rate if you buy the strap (separate). I have a fitbit and honestly only use it for the silent alarm. Otherwise I use the Nike GPS watch with polar ANT strap for HR. I love it for mountain biking and the gym. I can turn the GPS off in the gym and just use the HRM and elapsed time. If your a gym rate you can simply purchase a polar strap. 99% if all commercial cardio equipment use polar HRM's so your HR will display on screen.

I use the polar and with all my own details programmed inI trust the calorie count it provides me lost work out. The equipment at the gym seems to vary wildly.

One thing to note, the signal seems to emit a fair way as I have discovered that all cardio equipment around me will also be displaying my heart rate! It has certainly confused some people.....