Calories burnt on commute

[Twizit]

Hmm so the Garmin (Forerunner) reckons I did the commute this morning in 59 minutes and burnt 1,178 calories.

Runkeeper which I just installed on my phone to try it out (again works off GPS) reckons I burnt only 630 calories

Now, I've not put weight or any other variables into these things so I know they're not going to be 100% accurate, and there are so many other variables such as wind resistance, how efficiently the bike is working etc.... but I was amazed by the difference between the two!!

I know which one I'd like to believe, but I'm more inclined towards the lower Runkeeper result - disappointing in a way as that's the free app rather than a specifically purchased item

 

[PeterTheWomble]

Hmm so the Garmin (Forerunner) reckons I did the commute this morning in 59 minutes and burnt 1,178 calories.

Runkeeper which I just installed on my phone to try it out (again works off GPS) reckons I burnt only 630 calories

Now, I've not put weight or any other variables into these things so I know they're not going to be 100% accurate, and there are so many other variables such as wind resistance, how efficiently the bike is working etc.... but I was amazed by the difference between the two!!

I know which one I'd like to believe, but I'm more inclined towards the lower Runkeeper result - disappointing in a way as that's the free app rather than a specifically purchased item

I use SportsTrack Pro on my Android, and doing the same route on two different occasions it can give a difference of 100's of calories.
It may be related to the fact that GPS readings for altitude are not very accurate, so if it notices more ups and downs it figures you're burning more.

 

[the reluctant cyclist]

I haven't got a clue how many calories I burn off on my commute but I bet it's not a lot!

On the way there it's all a little bit downhill and I barely feel as if I am moving! On the way back it is all very slightly uphill but I never break a sweat or get out of breath - it's 7 and a half miles and I usually leave work at 5 and get home at about 10 to six. I bet I don't burn more than about 50 calories at that pace!!!

When I am at the gym I monitor how many calories I am burning and it takes real effort to burn even 100 off (well I find anyway!!)

 

[ianrauk]

It would be more at your 600 range rather then the higher figure. However there are all sorts of variables to calculating calorie burn to get a real figure.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I think the 630 is the more likely figure for a hard-riding hour.

 

[her_welshness]

It has been said that the most one can burn off calories in a spinning class (approximately one hour) would be around 750 calories maximum. But as you know in a spinning class people are just going all out to burn off the highest amount of calories.

I think the Runkeeper one is more accurate!

 

[Twizit]

Yeah as said that's what I figured - not that I'm that bothered about having a super accurate calorie count each trip

- just thought it weird that the two devices could be so far out!

I'll stick with the phone app for now - it's less faff than the watch anyway - finds GPS straight away whereas the Garmin can take a while to pick up the satellites. Garmin is better for running with though.

 

[benb]

Endomondo reckons my commute (which is always around 30 mins) burns about 300 cals. That "feels" right, so I'd go for the lower number for you.

 

[jefmcg]

I'm a bit suspicious of any of these. My phone (cardiotrainer) reports I am burning 5-6000K/week - btw, the figures agree with your phone, ~800 for 27km. It takes in weight but not speed into account.

With that level of calorie burn, if I'm not consuming and extra 2 full days worth of meals a week, the weight should pour off. I don't but it isn't :-(

 

[Clandy]

I use Cyclemeter on the iPhone. It takes weight, speed, climb etc. in to consideration. It usually gives me a figure around 750+ Kcal burnt on a twelve mile ride. It then gives me a url to view the ride, average speeds etc in Google Maps. Here's an example: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://sh.../4ccd/5841/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20110322-1412.kml

 

[vorsprung]

I think 630kcal is way too high unless your 59 minutes covers 40km

I have a 27km in and 24km back commute with 600 metres ascent, which takes just over 2 hours. I figure it's 800 kcal for the whole 2 hours total journey

 

[GrasB]

Only way to get accurate calorie burnt figures is to use a power meter, have a temp sensor & a known level of clothing insulation (though a HR monitor can be used if you know your lactate threshold & functional threshold pace at ~20C air temp). Anything beyond that is a guess at best.

 

[Twizit]

Only way to get accurate calorie burnt figures is to use a power meter, have a temp sensor & a known level of clothing insulation (though a HR monitor can be used if you know your lactate threshold & functional threshold pace at ~20C air temp). Anything beyond that is a guess at best.

Yikes that's far more sophisticated than I would ever need contemplate

Best guess is a good enough "guide" for me lol. Oh, forgot to mention that when combined with the heart rate monitor earlier in the week, the Garmin reckoned I'd burnt 1,300 calories on a 15 mile commute. My non-waife like status confirms this is a lie

 

[vickster]

Apparently 40kcals per mile is a reasonable estimate, unless all up hill or freewheeling down hill. So assuming you did around 15 miles in that hour, 600 is around right

This is quite interesting, your weight is quite a major influence. Those of us who are chunky will burn more calories doing the same thing than the horrid skinny malinks

http://www.diethealthclub.com/calories-burned/bike-to-burn-calories.html

 

[Trevrev]

Using my Polar HR monitor, it tells me i burn anything from 360 to 390ish calories on my 7.5 miles.
Thats at steady pace......... It takes me anything from 25 to 30 mins depending on traffic.