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Miriam E. Nelson, Ph.D Responds:
Miriam E. Nelson, PhD, of Tufts University, and the best-selling author of the Strong Women book series, responds: If your machine asks for your weight, height, age, and gender and measures your speed, intensity, heart rate, and duration of exercise, the readings will be fairly accurate. However, most machines are not that sophisticated.
The accuracy of a calorie reading depends on the machine and the formula used to calculate calories burned during exercise. Fitness equipment manufacturers create an "average user" profile to determine the calculations. But different people performing the same exercise can burn calories at different rates, which can complicate accurate measurement. For instance, you'll burn more calories if you are new to an activity or if you have a higher percentage of muscle mass versus fat. Bottom line: Use the calorie results as a guide—not a guarantee—and concentrate on your intensity, not the numbers.
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Miriam E. Nelson
Ph.D
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